Nine Inch Nails [ tickets ]
"Year Zero"
(Nothing)

Trent Reznor's goth-inspired hard rock troupe is set to roll out the follow-up to 2005's "With Teeth." The first single from "Year Zero" is "Survivalism."

Reznor has issued a statement about the album's intriguing premise, which sounds as if it could double as a plot for a big budget sci-fi film.

"Well, it takes place about 15 years in the future. Things are not good. If you imagine a world where greed and power continue to run their likely course, you'll have an idea of the backdrop. The world has reached the breaking point--politically, spiritually and ecologically. Written from various perspectives of people in this world, Year Zero examines various viewpoints set against an impending moment of truth."

In other words, it's typical NIN stuff.

Avril Lavigne [ tickets ]
"The Best Damn Thing"
(RCA)

The punk-pop princess will release her third full-length studio set, which follows 2004's triple-platinum album "Under My Skin."

The lead-off single from "The Best Damn Thing" is "Girlfriend," a song the star co-wrote with Dr. Luke.

Cowboy Junkies [ tickets ]
"At the End of Paths Taken"
(Zoe)

The Canadian roots-rockers are set to drop their 10th studio album, "At the End of Paths Taken." The band's previous outing was the politically minded "Early 21st Century Blues."

The new disc was produced by the band's guitarist/songwriter Michael Timmins, the brother of Junkies' vocalist Margo Timmins. The group is currently in the midst of a tour.

In other Junkies news, the group is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of its classic album "The Trinity Session." The Junkies will mark the occasion by releasing a dual CD/DVD consisting of a new recording of "The Trinity Session" that features a number of musical guests.

Bucky Covington
"Bucky Covington"
(Lyric Street)

This finalist from the fifth season of "American Idol," who eventually finished eighth on the show, is finally set to release his eponymous debut.

The vocalist, who straddles the line between country and rock styles, is signed to the Nashville label Lyric Street label.

Clay Walker
"Fall"
(Curb)

The clean-cut country crooner has been a major chart presence since the start of his career--his first two singles both topped the charts. The cowboy is gunning for more success with this follow-up to 2003's "A Few Questions."

Other new releases:
Greyboy Allstars, "What Happened to TV?" (SCI Fidelity)
Lumidee, "Unexpected" (TVT)
Page McConnell, "Page McConnell" (Sony)
Onitsha, "Church Girl" (Hidden Beach)
Michael Penn, "Palms and Runes, Tarot and Tea: A Michael Penn Collection" (Sony)
Paul Rodgers, "Live in Glasgow" (Eagle)
Ryan Shaw, "This is Ryan Shaw" (Columbia)
Six Feet Under, "Commandment" (Metal Blade)
Pam Tillis, "Rhinestoned" (Thirty Tigers)
David Torn, Tim Berne, Craig Taborn and Tom Rainey, "Prezens" (ECM)
Various Artists, "Hard to Find 45s on CD Volume 9: 1957-1959" (Eric Collection)
Various Artists, "Hard to Find 45s on CD Volume 10: 1960-1965" (Eric Collection)
Arcadi Volodos, "Volodos plays Liszt" (Sony)
Paul Wall, "Get Money, Stay True" (Atlantic)
Watermelon Slim and the Workers, "The Wheel Man" (Northern Blues)