Hitting play without pause

Guide to the list

The Sounds ’06 list is a snapshot of albums in the works as of late January. Release dates and other details are subject to change through the year.

Sounds ’06

Capsules compiled by Richard Cromelin and Casey Dolan.

*

TUESDAY

Barry Manilow

“The Greatest Songs of

the Fifties” (Arista)

The crooner with perfect hair interprets a wide array of genres from the last decade of innocence. Features an appearance by Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters. (C.D.)

FEB. 7

KT Tunstall

“Eye to the Telescope”

(Virgin)

The Scottish singer and songwriter hits the U.S. with a bang, bearing three nominations in the Brit Awards and a sheaf of rave reviews. (R.C.)

Jack Johnson

“Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film ‘Curious George’ ” (Universal)

Nine new songs by America’s answer to Badly Drawn Boy are given center stage in the upcoming film, including duets with Ben Harper, G. Love and Matt Costa. (C.D.)

Hoobastank

Title TBA (Island)

Agoura’s finest marks its 12th year of rumbling the rafters with post-grunge stomping tunes. (C.D.)

William Orbit

“Hello Waveforms”

(Sanctuary)

The first release in over five years by the techno pioneer who took Eno’s ambient music concept to new heights. (C.D.)

Sarah Harmer

“I’m a Mountain” (Zoe)

Her third album with naked, acoustic music that owes much to bluegrass and is as comfortable as a well-worn pair of slippers. (C.D.)

Beth Orton

“Comfort of Strangers”

(Astralwerks)

The English singer-songwriter returns to form on an album produced by Sonic Youth’s Jim O’Rourke (R.C.)

Deadboy & the Elephantmen

“We Are Night Sky”

(Fat Possum)

With a song title like “What the Stars Have Eaten,” how can you not love them? Sounding like a de-tuned, methylated marriage between the Kings of Leon and Skip Spence. (C.D.)

The Minus 5

“The Gun Album” (Yep Roc)

Scott McCaughey’s poppy music collective’s latest outing, including members of Wilco, R.E.M., the Decemberists, the Long Winters and Mott the Hoople. (C.D.)

FEB. 14

Sergio Mendes

“Timeless”

(Concord Records/Starbucks Hear Music)

The ‘60s-vintage purveyor of mass-appeal Braziliana is taken under the wing of Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am. (R.C.)

Various artists

“I Am the Resurrection:

A Tribute to John Fahey” (Vanguard)

A compilation including performances by Calexico and Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, paying homage to the late country-blues guitar minimalist. (C.D.)

FEB. 21

Ray Davies

“Other People’s Lives” (V2)

Other people’s lives formed the prime subject matter of Davies’ incomparable songs with the Kinks, and they still fuel his artistic fires four

decades later. (R.C.)

Kid Rock

“Live Trucker” (Atlantic)

Bringing his hard-rockin’ macho self to a live recording, the Kid includes such favorites as “Cowboy” and “Bawitdaba.” Loud and proud. (C.D.)

Nick Cave and

Warren Ellis

“The Proposition”

soundtrack (Mute)

The grim reaper of rock singers and the Dirty Three violinist conjure atmospheres of bleak beauty for the epic Australian western, which was written by Cave. (R.C.)

Arctic Monkeys

“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”

(Domino)

From the label that brought you Franz Ferdinand, another dose of infectious British rock that’s catching on in a big way in the U.K. (R.C.)

Eels

“Eels With Strings: Live

at Town Hall” (Vagrant)

Documents the downbeat pop visionary E in last year’s sympathetic concert setting of string quartet and oddball instruments. (R.C.)

Dilated Peoples

“20/20” (Capitol)

The L.A. trio got a boost on its last CD from Kanye West, who produced and performed on the hit “This Way.” (R.C.)

Tony Gilkyson

“Goodbye Guitar”

(Rolling Sea)

Ex-X guitar slinger offers a second solo outing that focuses on a more folky side. With guest appearances by Van Dyke Parks, sister Eliza and more. (C.D.)

Destroyer

“Destroyer’s Rubies”

(Merge Records)

Vancouver’s Dan Bejar on his solo project outside of the New Pornographers ventures into ambitious pop territories but with the occasional dosage of glam. (C.D.)

FEB. 28

Ghostface Killah

“Fishscale” (Def Jam)

The Wu-Tang stalwart’s fifth album features production by MF Doom, Madlib and others. And be sure to keep an eye out for the action figure. (R.C.)

Elvis Costello

“My Flame Burns Blue” (Deutsche Grammophon)

The musical polymath enlarges his impressive quiver with a live performance in the Netherlands with a 52-piece jazz orchestra. A bonus disc features a full-length orchestral work. (C.D.)

Ne-Yo

“In My Own Words”

(Def Jam)

The single “So Sick” is already calling attention to this debut from the 23-year-old singer-songwriter who wrote Mario’s 2004 smash “Let Me Love You.” (R.C.)

Hank III

“Straight to Hell” (BRUC)

The unruly rocker’s two-CD set includes his first-ever

stab at a song by granddad Hank Williams, “I Could Never Be Ashamed of You.” (R.C.)

MARCH TBA

Loose Fur

“Born Again in the USA” (Drag City)

The second album from the atmospheric, folksy Americana of Jim O’Rourke, Jeff Tweedy and assorted attendees. (C.D.)

MARCH 7

Donald Fagen

“Morph the Cat” (Reprise)

The voice of Steely Dan steps out for his own album for the first time since 1993’s “Kamakiriad.” (R.C)

OutKast

“Idlewild” soundtrack

(LaFace)

Hey ya! Andre and Big Boi’s first music in three years comes from their movie debut. See story, Page 1.

Lila Downs

“La Cantina (Entre Copa y Copa)” (Narada)

The Latin Grammy winner brings her distinctive sensibility to the ranchera tradition. (R.C.)

Kris Kristofferson

“This Old Road” (New West)

Don Was produced the first album of new material in 11 years from this old road warrior. (R.C.)

Van Morrison

“Pay the Devil”

(Lost Highway)

The great soulful singer really does become a Belfast Cowboy by covering classic country songs in this collection, along with three originals. (C.D.)

Matisyahu

“Youth” (Epic)

The unorthodox mix of orthodox Judaism and roots reggae has made the New Yorker one of this year’s most-watched young artists. His major-label debut was produced by sonic daredevil Bill Laswell. (R.C.)

Isobel Campbell

and Mark Lanegan

“Ballad of the Broken Seas” (V2)

The beauty from Belle and Sebastian and the deep-voiced rock-noir beast from Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age traverse a landscape of haunted folk music. (R.C.)

David Gilmour

“On an Island” (Columbia)

Produced by Gilmour, Chris Thomas and Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Pink Floyd’s atmospheric guitarist and singer gets vocal assistance from David Crosby and Graham Nash in a set of new music. (C.D.)

Cesaria Evora

“Rogamar” (RCA)

The 10th album from the Cape Verde singer, one of the perennial stars of world music, adds some Brazilian melancholy courtesy of arranger Jaques Morelenbaum. (R.C.)

Buzzcocks

“flat-pack philosophy” (Cooking Vinyl)

Original members Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle are one-half of the latest incarnation of arguably the finest pop-punk outfit of the late ‘70s British Invasion. (C.D.)

Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners

“Sev7en” (Nitro)

The second album by the X co-leader’s other band includes a version of the late Jeffrey Lee Pierce’s “Ghost on the Highway.” (R.C.)

The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley a.k.a. Mr. Biggs

“Baby Makin’ Music”

(Def Soul)

The first album of the vocal group’s sixth (!) decade features production by Jermaine Dupri and fellow Mariah Carey collaborator Manuel Seal Jr. (R.C.)

MARCH 14

Stephin Merritt

“Showtunes” (Nonesuch)

The Magnetic Fields wizard offers songs composed for three plays directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. Sometimes disarmingly sweet; sometimes uncomfortably hallucinogenic. (C.D.)

Willie Nelson

“You Don’t Know Me: The Songs Of Cindy Walker” (Lost Highway)

Walker wrote “You Don’t Know Me” (made famous by Ray Charles) as well as many songs for fellow Texan Bob Wills. Nelson will interpret with his usual honeyed voice. (C.D.)

MARCH 21

My Chemical Romance

“Life on the Murder Scene” (Reprise)

The New Jersey band, which made the big commercial breakthrough with its 2004 album, “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge,” returns with a live CD/DVD package. (R.C.)

Sparks

“Hello Young Lovers”

(In the Red)

The Mael brothers release their 20th album of smart rock cabaret with Faith No More and Mother Superior guitarists Dean Menta and Jim Wilson and Redd Kross’ Steve McDonald. (C.D.)

Throbbing Gristle

“Part 2” (Mute)

The fountainhead of industrial-rock returns with its first new album in 25 years. (R.C.)

Ben Harper

“Both Sides of the Gun”

(Virgin)

The musician laid down his bluesy grooves at the Dust Brothers’ Silver Lake studio. (R.C.)

Mobb Deep

“Blood Money”

(G Unit/Interscope)

A new label for one of rap’s most uncompromising forces. (R.C.)

LL Cool J

“Todd Smith” (Def Jam)

The enduring rap star returns to the storied label, where he was the first artist ever signed. (R.C.)

MARCH 28

Rammstein

“Rosenrot” (Universal)

More martial metal from the fire-spouting German rockers.(R.C.)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

“Show Your Bones”

(Interscope)

The 2003 debut album “Fever to Tell” and the band’s tireless touring have positioned the New Yorkers as a potential 2006 breakthrough. (R.C.)

Nelly Furtado

“Loose” (DreamWorks)

The much-heralded singer brings her imaginative mix of fado, hip-hop, beat-box and pop to a new album with Scott Storch producing. (C.D.)

Rob Zombie

“Educated Horses” (Geffen)

Much as with his side job as a film director, Zombie intends to musically delight and horrify with a bludgeon to the brain. Expect much throbbing. (C.D.)

APRIL TBA

Angels and Airwaves

“We Don’t Need to Whisper” (Geffen)

Tom DeLonge from Blink-182 puts together a band with players from the Distillers, Offspring and Box Car Racer. (C.D.)

APRIL 4

The Flaming Lips

“At War With the Mystics” (Warner Bros.)

Wayne Coyne leads the sometimes psychedelic, occasionally noisy but always innovative Lips on their latest excursion. Potentially filled with surprises. (C.D.)

Maxwell

Title TBA

(Sony Urban Music/Columbia)

It’s been five years since “Now,” the last release from this pacesetter of the late-’90s neo-soul movement. (R.C.)

The Vines

“Vision Valley” (Capitol)

The Australian garage-rockers try to regain their lost footing. (R.C.)

Tom Ze

“Estudando o Pagode”

(Luaka Bop/V2)

The maverick Brazilian is back with an operetta about the place of women in the world. (R.C.)

Pink

“I’m Not Dead” (LaFace)

That’s what the singer hopes to prove after her last album, “Try This,” met with disappointing sales. (R.C.)

Sonya Kitchell

“Words Come Back to Me” (Velour Music Group/Starbucks Hear Music)

Folk, blues, jazz and pop mingle in the music of a singer-songwriter who’s created a growing buzz at age 16. (R.C.)

Van Hunt

“Yesterday and Tomorrow” (Capitol).

Will the Atlanta pop-rock-soul singer build on the momentum he generated with his 2004 debut album? Producer Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow) is along to help. (R.C.)

Shooter Jennings

“Electric Rodeo”

(Universal South)

Another of country music’s progeny (father: Waylon Jennings; mother: Jessi Colter) has a second album of hard-rockin’, twangin’ outlaw country. (C.D.)

Christopher O’Riley

“Home to Oblivion --

An Elliott Smith Tribute”

(World Village)

After lending his deft, moody pianistic touch to transcriptions of the songs of Radiohead, O’Riley tackles the equally somber statements of Elliott Smith. (C.D.)

Rascal Flatts

“Me and My Gang”

(Lyric Street)

On its fourth album after three highly successful releases, the trio meshes its tight harmonies to catchy country melodies. (C.D.)

APRIL 11

Built to Spill

Title TBA (Warner Bros.)

Doug Martsch flies the flag for alt-rock, fronting this trio with a yearning, humorous delivery. (C.D.)

Paul Oakenfold

“A Lively Mind” (Maverick)

The dance music titan’s set of original songs enlists the vocal services of actress Brittany Murphy, Pharrell and Grandmaster Flash, among others. (R.C.)

The Streets

“The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living” (Vice)

London rapper Mike Skinner has a hard act to follow. His last Streets album, “A Grand Don’t Come for Free,” was a tour de force of multilayered narrative. (R.C.)

Eagles of

Death Metal

“Death by Sexy”

(Downtown Recordings)

A shot of the raucous side project from Queens of the Stone Age leader Josh Homme. (R.C.)

APRIL 18

Elefant

“The Black Magic Show” (Hollywood)

Singer Diego Garcia has the weary heartbreak of a Bryan Ferry fronting a well-oiled, guitar-driven machine. (C.D.)

APRIL 25

Mark Knopfler

and Emmylou Harris

“All the Road Running” (Warner Bros.)

Knopfler’s adenoidal wheeze and Harris’ aching purity should make for an interesting combination on this new set of originals. (C.D.)

Gram Rabbit

“Cultivation” (Stinky)

With an intriguing debut album under its belt, the psychedelic missionaries return from the High Desert with a collection said to be darker and more ambitious. (R.C.)

Drive-By Truckers

“A Blessing and a Curse” (New West)

After “The Dirty South,” its cohesive epic about life on their region’s economic and social margins, the band pulls back and simplifies. (R.C.)

MAY TBA

John Mayer

“Continuum” (Columbia)

The singer-guitarist returns to the pop wars after his blues trio sojourn..

Audioslave

Title TBA (Epic)

The merger of Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden has another go at living up to its pedigree. (R.C.)

Incubus

Title TBA (Epic)

The Calabasas quintet’s last album, “A Crow Left of the Murder,” injected a welcome dose of passion into its sophisticated alt-metal. (R.C.)

Kelly Rowland

Title TBA

(Sony Urban Music/Columbia)

The second solo outing from the Destiny’s Child alumna. (Watch for her old partner Beyonce in September.) (R.C.)

Elvis Costello and

Allen Toussaint

“The River in Reverse” (Verve)

The latest collaboration for Costello features him writing and playing with one of the deans of New Orleans music. Some originals, some classics, some overlooked songs. (C.D.)

The Raconteurs

Title TBA (V2)

One of the most anticipated side projects in recent memory teams the White Stripes’ Jack White with his pop-rock buddy Brendan Benson. (R.C.)

Gnarls Barkley

Title TBA (Downtown)

The inspired collaboration between silky-voiced Cee-Lo and guerrilla producer Danger Mouse promises melodies and heat with the beat. (C.D.)

Juana Molina

“Son” (Domino)

The Argentine singer’s electronically cushioned ambient folk has brought her a growing cult audience. (R.C.)

MAY 2

Tool

Title TBA (Volcano)

The rumors about Maynard James Keenan’s finding Jesus were incorrect or irrelevant, because the singer’s hard-rock outfit is back from its hibernation. (R.C.)

MAY 5

Lisa Germano

“In the Maybe World” (Young God)

No one dives into the depths like Germano. With her breathy vocal delivery and arrangements that sound like 14th century troubadours on Quaaludes, something may tell you it’s all a sad dream. (C.D.)

MAY 6

Ludacris

“Release Therapy”

(Def Jam)

The veteran rapper reminds that he can still make records after earning acclaim for his acting in “Crash” and “Hustle and Flow.” (R.C.)

MAY 9

Grandaddy

Title TBA (V2)

The otherworldly Jason Lytle sometimes sounds like a lysergically altered Neil Young from his outpost in Modesto. Hopefully, the new release

will be more of the same. (C.D.)

MAY 16

Scissor Sisters

Title TBA (Universal)

The New York collective’s

Elton/Bowie/Bee Gees pop might be derivative, but

its debut album and live

show conveyed a hard-to-

resist sense of liberation. (R.C.)

MAY 23

Dr. John

“Mercernary” (Blue Note)

The swampy New Orleans gris-gris man takes on the catalog of suave and witty wordsmith Johnny Mercer -- a marvelous collision of Southern talent. (C.D.)

TBA

Prince

“3121” (Universal)

Salma Hayek directed the video for “Te Amo Corazon,” the first single from the

resurgent royal’s new album. (R.C.)

The Mars Volta

Title TBA (Universal)

“Frances the Mute” was one of 2005’s most visionary albums, and the band’s fusion-fueled live shows suggested that things might get even more challenging on the next one. (R.C.)

Paris Hilton

Title TBA (Warner Bros.)

Well, why not? The heiress is helped out on her debut album by golden-touch producer Scott Storch. (R.C.)

Paul Simon

“Surprise” (Warner Bros.)

This is only the New Yorker’s third proper album of new songs in 16 years. (R.C.)

Nellie McKay

“Pretty Little Head”

(label TBA)

Now that the outspoken singer has parted ways with her nemesis Sony Music, who knows how or when her much-anticipated second album will surface? (R.C.)

The Fugees

Title TBA

(Sony Urban Music/Columbia)

As unlikely as it might seem given the personalities, plans are still in place for this reunion of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. (R.C.)

DMX

“Here We Go Again”

(Sony Urban Music/Columbia)

The long-running hard-core rapper and successful actor is back with another set. (R.C.)

**

Anticipation

I’m looking forward to the Wanda Jackson record. I’m a big Neko Case fan. And one that should be particularly interesting is Gnarls Barkley -- the collaboration of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo. Should be some good beats, good hip-hop stuff.

KAREN PEARSON

Co-owner

of Amoeba Records

*

OutKast are always innovative and built to last; Mobb Deep are ‘90s, but they have their own niche. I’m definitely looking forward to those.

RONIN RO

Author of “Have Gun Will Travel: The Spectacular Rise and Violent Fall

of Death Row Records”

*

I’m looking forward to the new Ray Davies and to both Costello releases. A guilty pleasure is Pink. I say let’s restart the party.

GARY CALAMAR

“The Open Road,” KCRW;

*

Destroyer’s “Destroyer’s Rubies,” and Neko Case’s new one.

MICHAEL JAMES MCGONIGAL

Blogger forbuked.blogspot.com

*

KT Tunstall is much anticipated.

ALEX PATSAVAS

Music director

of “The O.C.”

**

NEKO CASE

“Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” (Anti-)

The indie-rock goddess’ emotional vocals were the best thing about the New Pornographers’ “Twin Cinema” CD last year, and her first album in almost four years is an ambitious take on some resonant fairy tales and folk stories. (R.C.) (March 7)

**

DRESDEN DOLLS

“Yes, Virginia” (Roadrunner)

Brian Viglione and Amanda Palmer have successfully fought their way out of the “punk-cabaret” straitjacket they got into with the catchy “Coin-Operated Boy” single. Some of the new songs are intensely confessional and confrontational, notably the ballad “Delilah.” (R.C.) (April 18)

**

DIXIE CHICKS

Title TBA (Columbia)

The trio of Emily Robison, left, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire continues to show a flair for the unconventional, following the 6-million-selling “Home” by going into the studio with producer Rick Rubin (Neil Diamond, System of a Down, Weezer) to make an album that reportedly puts the rock before the country. (R.C.) (April 25)

**

ICE CUBE

“Laugh Now, Cry Later” (Lench Mob)

Returning to music from his thriving movie career, the seminal L.A. rapper gets some production help from Swizz Beatz, Lil Jon and Scott Storch, along with a guest appearance by Snoop Dogg, on his first album since 2000’s

“War & Peace, Vol. 2.” (R.C.) (June 6)

**

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

“Stadium Arcadium” (Warner Bros.)

The two-CD set from L.A.’s favorite sons -- from left, Flea, Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante and Chad Smith -- was originally intended as a trilogy with separate release dates. Instead, it’s a double dose from a band at the top of its game. The melodic, funk-flavored song they previewed at a benefit concert last summer was a promising taste.(R.C.) (May 9)