Music

Winter has traditionally been a dry period for record releases. But, with the arrival of spring comes a wave of new albums, including some high-profile mainstream releases (N*E*R*D, Janet Jackson) and some long-awaited indie releases (TV on the Radio, Iron and Wine). In addition to what you see here, more surprises are sure to crop up, and there will no doubt be enough to keep even the most voracious listener satiated.

Feb. 10, 2004

The Coral Magic and Medicine (Columbia)

British eccentrics The Coral follow-up their well-received debut with Magic and Medicine, which was released last summer in the U.K. British music mag MOJO honored it as one of the top 40 releases of 2004, so expect good things. As a bonus, the first pressings of Magic and Medicine will be packaged with Nightfreaks and the Sons of Becker, a newly recorded EP.

Courtney Love America's Sweetheart (Virgin)

Given all of Courtney's recent bad luck with the law, this looks more like a last-ditch effort to revive a has-been than a genuine comeback. Linda Perry, the songwriter behind both Pink and Christina Aguilera, is apparently the brains behind the operation. If anyone still had doubts about Courtney's punk credibility, this should be sure to kill them off.

Also on Feb. 10, 2004

Kylie Minogue Body Language (Capitol)

Kayne West College Dropout (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)

Norah Jones Feels Like Home (Blue Note)

Feb. 24, 2004

Jonny Greenwood Bodysong (Capitol)

As the first solo album by a member of Radiohead, Jonny Greenwood's Bodysong (actually the soundtrack to a British documentary) should shed some light on who exactly comes up with most of the band's best material. Expect an album that's more eclectic and experimental than Radiohead's Hail to the Thief.

Also on Feb. 24

The Liars They Were Wrong, So We Drowned (Mute)

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Dirty Old Town [DVD] (Plexifilm)

JC Chasez Schizophrenic (Jive)

March 9, 2004

TV on the Radio Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (Touch & Go)

As they're constantly being touted as the next big thing, TV on the Radio have a lot of expectations to live up to with their first full length release. Their 2003 EP, Young Liars, was an ear-catching fusion of intense vocals, dense electronic textures, and pop sensibilities. Hopefully Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes will be equally impressive.

Also on Mar. 9

Blonde Redhead Misery Is A Butterfly (4AD/Beggars Banquet)

Destroyer Your Blues (Merge)

Sondre Lerche Two Way Monologue (Astralwerks)

Squarepusher Ultravisitor (Warp)

Von Bondies Pawn Shoppe Heart (Sire/Warner)

March 16, 2004

Eric Clapton Me & Mr. Johnson (Reprise)

N*E*R*D Fly or Die (Star Trak/Arista)

David Byrne Grown Backwards (Nonesuch)

Big Boi OutKast Presents ... Big Boi's Boom Boom Room [DVD] (Arista)

March 23, 2004

Iron and Wine Our Endless Numbered Days (Sub Pop)

Perhaps the most eagerly awaited indie release of the season, Iron and Wine's Our Endless Numbered Days will be critically lauded songwriter Sam Beam's first recording with a full band (his previous releases have all been solo home recordings). While a studio record will likely sacrifice the eerie intimacy of Beam's homemade material, it will hopefully allow him to break enough new ground to compensate for whatever is lost in the transition.

Also on March 23

Lenny Kravitz Funk (Virgin)

Master P Good Side/Bad Side (The New No Limit/Koch)

Method Man Tical 0: The Prequel (Def Jam)

Lou Reed Animal Serenade (Reprise)

The Vines Winning Days (Capitol)

Bob Dylan Bootleg Series Volume 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964--Concert at Philharmonic Hall (Columbia)

Weezer Video Capture Device [DVD] (Geffen)

March 30, 2004

Janet Jackson Damita Jo (Virgin)

Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News (Epic)

April 6, 2004

The Clipse Hell Hath No Fury (Arista)

Unconfirmed Release Dates

Devendra Banhart Rejoicing in the Hands (Young God), April

Clinic Winchester Cathedral (Universal), April

Fatboy Slim title TBA (Astralwerks), Early 2004

Ben Folds title TBA (Epic), Early 2004

The Magnetic Fields title TBA (Nonesuch), Spring

The Roots Tipping Point (Geffen/Interscope), April

Spoon Captured to be Cooked (Merge), Spring

Tom Waits title TBA (Anti/Epitaph), March

Wilco W*lco Happens (Nonesuch), Spring