Plus: Wolfmother [ tickets ], Gomez [ tickets ], more

Pearl Jam [ tickets ]<
"Pearl Jam"
(J Records)

Expectations are sky high for Pearl Jam's self-titled eighth studio effort. The disc--the band's debut offering on new label, J Records--is Pearl Jam's first new album since 2002's "Riot Act."

The set's first single, "World Wide Suicide," is already a smash hit that has topped Billboard's Modern Rock charts. The band co-produced "Pearl Jam" with Adam Kaspar, who also worked on "Riot Act."

Pearl Jam will support the new album with a North American tour that kicks off with a two-night stand (5/9-10) in Toronto.

Tool [ tickets ]
"10,000 Days"
(Volcano)

Tool fans have been waiting a long time for this one. Finally, the wait is over as the alt-metal rockers release their fourth studio album, "10,000 Days." It's the band's first new record since 2001's "Lateralus."

The first single from the new album, "Vicarious," hit radio stations in mid-April. Now, Tool is set to support "10,000 Days" on the road. After closing the Coachella Valley Music Festival on Sunday (4/30), the group embarks on a short North American tour that kicks off on Tuesday (5/2) in Seattle.

Jewel [ tickets ]
"Goodbye Alice in Wonderland"
(Atlantic)

Singer/songwriter Jewel returns with her first studio effort since 2003's "0304," which debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 album chart, the highest chart debut of her career.

Jewel worked with producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls) on "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland," which the singer called in a press release the most autobiographical album she has made since her 1995 debut, "Pieces of You."

The first single from the new CD is "Again and Again."

Jewel will co-headline a tour with labelmate Rob Thomas that gets underway on March 23 in Clearwater, FL. Toby Lightman--whose second album, "Bird On a Wire," is set for a July 25 release--will open the shows.

Wolfmother
"Wolfmother"
(Interscope)

Wolfmother's self-titled debut is already a smash hit in the band's native Australia. The double-platinum album, which was produced by D. Sardy (Oasis, Dandy Warhols), was voted "Album of the Year" in 2005 by Australia's alternative radio network, Triple J.

The band's members--Andrew Stockdale (guitar/vocals), Chris Ross (bass/keyboards) and Myles Heskett (drums)--introduced themselves to thousands of US fans during last weekend's Coachella music festival. The introductions will continue as Wolfmother mounts a North American tour that kicks off in Dallas on May 6.

Gomez
"How We Operate"
(ATO)

The British rock quintet treated fans to a sampling of "How We Operate" during a recent small-venue promo tour, which earned uniformly positive reviews.

That's no surprise, given the band's mighty reputation as a live act. Gomez regularly draws equal praise for its studio outings, including its previous release, 2004's "Split the Difference."

"How We Operate" is the band's first effort on Dave Matthews' ATO label. The work was produced by Gil Norton, who has previously manned the boards for such acts as the Pixies and the Foo Fighters.

Gomez will support this studio record--its fifth--with a month-long US tour that starts Wednesday (5/3) in Asheville, NC.

Other new releases:
Black Keys, "Chulahoma" (Fat Possum)
Cibelle, "Shine of Dried Electric Leaves" (Six Degrees)
Alejandro Escovedo, "The Boxing Mirror" (Back Porch)
Roy Hargrove, "Nothing Serious" (Verve)
Roy Hargrove and RH Factor, "Distractions" (Verve)
Brian Littrell, "Welcome Home" (Reunion)
Christian McBride, "Live at Tonic" (Rope-a-Dope)
Robin Mckelle, "Introducing Robin Mckelle" (Cheap Lullaby)
Ministry, "Rio Grande Blood" (Megaforce)
Mobb Deep, "Blood Money" (Interscope)
Gary Moore, "Old New Ballads Blues" (Eagle)
Willie Nelson, "Live From Austin, TX" (New West)
Glen Phillips, "Mr Lemons" (High Wire)
Rebel Meets Rebel, "Rebel Meets Rebel" (Big Vin)
Thursday, "City By the Light Divided" (Island)
Andy Timmons, "Resolution" (Favored Nations)
Ralph Towner, "Time Line" (ECM)
Phil Vassar, "Greatest Hits 1" (Arista)
Carnie Wilson, "A Mother's Gift: Lullabies From the Heart" (Big 3)