Note: Nas originally planned to call the album Ni**er, which caused a media backlash and strong encouragement from the powers-that-be to change the controversial title. Instead of offering a new name for his 9th album, …

Note: After five indie label albums, Alkaline Trio makes their major label debut with Agony & Irony.

Sound: Don’t expect a dramatic change due to the move to the big leagues. Their punk-rooted, death-obsessed, melodic rock …

Note: The Baseball Project is the brainchild of Scott McCaughey (former Young Fresh Fellows and current The Minus 5 frontman; and touring R.E.M. musician) and Steve Wynn (best known as frontman of ‘80s rockers Dream …

Note: The album was produced by Danger Mouse, who’s known best for his production work as a member Gnarls Barkley and on albums like Gorillaz Demon Days.

Sound: A mix of punchy, tight grooves and woozy, …

Sound: Craig Finn’s in-your-face narratives and the band’s meaty riffs, dancing piano, driving organ and boogie-inducing horns are still present. But this time around, they add many new flavors – skittering harpsichord, whimsical synthesizer, metal-power-ballad …

Note: This is the Wu-Tang Clan mastermind’s third solo album as the character Bobby Digital. It’s been seven years since his alter ego’s last full length release, 2001’s Digital Bullet.

Sound: Most of RZA’s beats have …

Sound: David Berman’s deep, weathered and twangy baritone once again narrates a few more oddball American tales. Lookout Mountain is definitely brighter and more hopeful than the last Silver Jews album (2005’s Tanglewood Numbers) as …