Plus: Zero 7 [ tickets ], Paul Oakenfold, Elvis Costello [ tickets ] and Allen Toussaint, more

Ice Cube [ tickets ]
"Laugh Now, Cry Later"
(Lench Mob)

Ice Cube, the former N.W.A. member who has starred in such films as 1999's "Three Kings" and 2002's "Barbershop," takes a break from his movie career to focus on music.

"Laugh Now, Cry Later," Cube's first full-length studio effort since 2000's "War & Peace - Volume 2," features such guest stars as Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon, Kokane and WC (from Westside Connection).

The New Cars [ tickets ]
"It's Alive"
(Eleven Seven)

What would it have sounded like if Ric Ocasek had been the songwriter, but not the singer, for The Cars? Fans are about to find out. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you The New Cars.

This new model of an old favorite features two original Cars, guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes, as well as vocalist Todd Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton and drummer Prairie Prince. The group performs such Cars classics as "Just What I Needed," "Let's Go" and "Candy-O."

The New Cars are supporting the album with a tour that currently stretches into July. Blondie, the pop-punk outfit that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, is along for the ride.

AFI [ tickets ]
"Decemberunderground"
(Interscope)

The pride of Ukiah, CA, returns to action with this cumbersomely titled new effort. "Decemberunderground," which marks the band's debut on Interscope, is the goth rockers' first new studio album since 2003's "Sing the Sorrow." However, an eponymous retrospective was released by the band's old label, Nitro Records, in 2004.

AFI will support the record in a familiar fashion. The group will once again spend the summer traveling with the skate-punk fiesta known as the Vans Warped Tour, which is due to begin June 15 in Columbia, MD.

Zero 7
"The Garden"
(Atlantic)

The acclaimed UK soul duo is back with its first new CD since 2004's "When It Falls." The album was produced by Zero 7, a.k.a. Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns, and mixed by Phil Brown, who has worked with the likes of Brian Eno and The Rolling Stones.

The album comes one week after Sophie Barker's debut, "Earthbound." Barker is well known for the work she did with Zero 7 on the band's first two records: 2001's "Simple Things" and "When It Falls."

Paul Oakenfold
"A Lively Mind"
(Maverick)

The king of club culture returns with another electronic-based offering. The DJ utilizes an intriguing assortment of vocalists on this project, including actress Brittany Murphy, hip-hop head Pharrell Williams (who seems to be everywhere these days) and the legendary Grandmaster Flash.

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
"The River in Reverse"
(Verve Forecast)

Elvis Costello combines with New Orleans music giant Allen Toussaint on this new album, which was recorded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The CD is a mix of new originals penned by the two musicians and numbers from Toussaint's back catalog. The duo is currently touring in support of the set.

Other new releases:
Joe Bonamassa, "You & Me" (Premier)
Holly Brook, "Like Blood Like Honey (Warner Bros.)
Camera Obscura, "Let's Get out of This Country" (Merge)
Gustavo Cerati, "Ahi Vamos" (Sony)
Cheap Trick, "Rockford" (Big3)
Barbara Cook, "Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests Live" (DRG)
Embrace, "This New Day" (Independiente)
Donavon Frankenreiter, "Move by Yourself" (Lost Highway)
Yung Joc, "New Joc City" (Bad Boy)
Katie Melua, "Piece by Piece" (Universal)
Brian Stokes Mitchell, "Brian Stokes Mitchell" (Playbill)
Juana Molina, "Son" (Domino)
Paolo Mojo, "Balance 009" (EQ)
Alexi Murdoch, "Time Without Consequence" (Zero Summer)
Danielle Peck, "Danielle Peck" (Big Machine)
Psapp, "The Only Thing I Ever Wanted" (Domino)
Michael Schenker Group, "Tales of Rock N Roll" (Armageddon)
Survivor, "Reach" (Frontiers)
Various Artists, "Pickin' on Sugarland: The Bluegrass Tribute - We Drove All Night" (CMH)
Various Artists, "Voices from the FIFA World Cup" (Sony)
Various Artists, "Gu 10" (Global Underground)
Various Artists, "Strummin' With The Devil: Bluegrass Tribute to Van Halen"
The Wailin' Jennys, "Firecracker" (Red House)
Scott Walker, "Drift" (4AD)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Cars" (Disney)
"United 93" (Varese)
"The Wedding Singer (2006 Original Broadway Cast)" (Sony)