plus: Toby Keith, Butthole Surfers [ tickets ], RZA, Sparklehorse, Earl Scruggs, more.

Björk [ tickets ]
“Vespertine” (Elektra)

Björk follows up last year’s “Selmasongs” EP--the soundtrack for the film "Dancer in the Dark," in which the Icelandic singer gave a Cannes Film Festival award-winning lead performance--with this highly experimental release that finds her singing over a backdrop of paired electronic and orchestral arrangements. Electronica duo Matmos--a.k.a. Martin Schmidt and Andrew Daniel--and renowned harpist Zeena Parkins contribute much of the music found on the collection.

Earlier this month, Björk launched a world tour that will hit the U.S. in October. The singer is performing primarily at prestigious theaters and opera houses, and is backed on the run by both Matmos and Parkins, as well as a 54-piece orchestra, an Inuit girls choir and a Canadian throat singer.

“Hidden Place,” the first single from “Vespertine,” entered Billboard’s latest Hot 100 Singles Sales chart at No. 50. The song’s companion music video--as well as extensive information about “Vespertine”--can be found at Bjork [ tickets ]’s official website.

Slipknot [ tickets ]
“Iowa” (Roadrunner)

After several postponements, Slipknot’s sophomore effort finally hits stores this week. Considerable grassroots hype has preceded the collection, as evidenced by the throngs of coverall-wearing fans who swarmed venues to catch the group on the mainstage at this summer’s Ozzfest outing. A fair share of material from “Iowa” was, in fact, previewed during those performances, which revealed that the album is a heavy-metal bludgeoning of acerbic guitars, violent screaming and tribal drums.

Produced by knob-turner Ross Robinson (Korn, Limp Bizkit), “Iowa” will be released on both vinyl and CD.

In support of its new record, Slipknot--along with System of a Down, Mudvayne and Rammstein--are heading out on the Pledge of Allegiance tour, which kicks off Sept. 14 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Mary J. Blige [ tickets ]
“No More Drama” (MCA)

Blige’s follow-up to 1999’s double-platinum “Mary” features her current hit, “Family Affair,” which has made its way onto seven of Billboard’s latest singles charts. Streaming versions of the song and its companion music video can be found at Blige’s official website.

Promotional appearances behind the new release will include a Monday (8/27) performance on BET’s “106 & Park” at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, and an online chat at the channel’s official website at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The singer is also scheduled to appear on BET’s “Testimony” and at the Source Music Awards on Tuesday (8/28), and on ABC’s “Regis & Kelly Show” on Wednesday (8/29).

Toby Keith
“Pull My Chain” (DreamWorks)

The eighth studio album from Toby Keith hits stores this week as the country star continues his U.S. tour. The new album features the single “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight.”

Earlier this year, Keith won two Academy of Country Music awards for his 1999 comeback album “How Do You Like Me Now.”

Keith--who stars in phone company TV commercials with former football star-turned-announcer Terry Bradshaw--will make two appearances on CMT (Country Music Television) to help launch “Pull My Chain”; his latest video, “I Wanna Talk About Me,“ will premiere on CMT’s “Most Wanted Live” on Aug. 28, and he will also be the featured artist on the Sept. 8 debut of the channel’s new “Total Release” series.

Recently, Keith was in the studio writing a new song with longtime Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin for use in an upcoming TNN show about professional bull-riding.

Butthole Surfers [ tickets ]
“Weird Revolution” (Surfdog)

On the new album from this pre-alternative band, one can hear strains of pop, R&B, hip-hop, electronica and grunge.

Hollywood Records will stream "Weird Revolution" in its entirety until Tuesday (8/28).

Butthole Surfers' lineup consists of Gibby Haynes on vocals, Paul Leary on guitars, King Coffey on percussion and newcomer Nathan Calhoun on bass. The group plans to tour in the fall, possibly with a second drummer and a DJ to handle the electronics, according to a press release.

The first single from “Weird Revolution” is “The Shame of Life,” which Haynes wrote with Kid Rock.

RZA
“Digital Bullet” (Koch)

The latest release from Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA--whose real name is Robert Diggs--is his second as alter ego Bobby Digital. The first, "Bobby Digital in Stereo" (Gee Street), was intended to be a soundtrack to the film "Bobby Digital," which he also produced, wrote, directed and starred in. That movie, however, has not been released.

According to a Gee Street biography, the film tells the story of Bobby Digital, whom RZA creates after an experiment in a lab on Wu Mountain. Digital is described as "a self-indulgent creature of the flesh who loves to womanize, party, spend money and wear the latest fashions." An eye patch hides a micro-computer that is linked to Digital's brain.

The album “Digital Bullet” features guest appearances from Method Man, ODB, GZA, Masta Killa, all of Wu-Tang Clan, and Big Gripp of Goodie Mobb, according to RZA’s official website. Promotional activity surrounding the album includes an appearance on BET's “106th & Park” on Monday night (8/27), an in-store signing at Staten Island, N.Y., Coconuts record store on Barrett Ave. on Tuesday (8/28), and a concert performance at S.O.B.'s in New York City on Wednesday (8/29).

Sparklehorse
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (Capitol)

Sparklehorse captain Mark Linkous trekked across the U.S. and abroad, and collaborated with some of the most provocative performers in music for the follow-up to 1999’s “Good Morning Spider.” Tracks were recorded in his home studio in rural Virginia, as well as upstate New York, New York City and Barcelona.

Tom Waits, Polly Jean Harvey and the Cardigans’ Nina Persson are among the artists lending vocals to the record. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was released overseas to rave reviews in June, and Sparklehorse has just wrapped a European tour.

Earl Scruggs
"Earl Scruggs and Friends" (MCA Nashville)

Bluegrass banjo legend Scruggs has made an album of 12 songs. Vocalists include Elton John, Dwight Yoakam, Sting and Don Henley.

According to a review in Rolling Stone, "Earl Scruggs and Friends" is a "likable pop album with bluegrass shadings."

Other new releases:

Air Supply - “Yours Truly” (Warner Bros.)
Airport 5 - “Tower in the Fountain of Sparks” (Luna/Recordhead)
American Head Charge - “The War of Art” (American)
Alphonzo Blackwell - “Reflections” (Shanachie)
Brotha Lynch Hung & C-BO - “Blocc Movement” (Jcor)
Ray Brown, John Clayton, Christian McBride - “SuperBass 2” (Telarc)
Athena Cage - “Art of a Woman” (Priority)
Tommy Castro - “Guilty of Love” (33rd St.)
Club 8 - “Club 8” (Hidden Agenda)
Confederate Railroad - “Unleashed” (Audium)
The Conga Kings - “Jazz Descargas” (Chesky)
Randy Crawford - “Permanent” (Warner Bros.)
Damozel - “You Don’t Know Me Like That” (MCA)
Jeff Danna - “O” motion-picture score (Varèse Sarabande)
Graeme Downs - “Hammers & Anvils” (Matador)
Dulces Pontes - “O Primeiro Canto” (MCA)
Sheila E - “Heaven” (Concord Vista)
Marty Ehrlich - “Song” (Enja)
Kurt Elling - “Flirting with Twilight” (Blue Note)
The Fleshies - “Kill the Dreamer’s Dream” (Alternative Tentacles)
Gangsta Blac - “Down South Flava” (Koch)
Claire Holley - “Claire Holley” (Yep Roc)
The Ivory Coast - “Clouds” (Polyvinyl)
Matthew Jay - “Draw” (Capitol)
Rodney Jones - “Soul Manifesto” (Blue Note)
Jeff Kelly - “Indiscretion” (Hidden Agenda/Parasol)
Krayzie Bone - “Thug on da Line” (Columbia)
Leahy - “Lakefield” (Narada)
Sunny Ledfurd - “The White Disc” (MCA)
Little T & One Track Mike - “Fame Is Dape” (Lava/Atlantic)
Roger McGuinn - “Treasures from the Folk Den” (Appleseed)
Brian McKnight - “Superhero” (Motown)
Lisa Miskovsky - “Lisa Miskovsky” (MCA)
Preston School of Industry - “All This Sounds Gas” (Matador)
Puddle of Mudd - “Come Clean” (Geffen)
Miranda Lee Richards - “The Herethereafter” (Virgin)
Rival Schools - “United by Fate” (Island)
Vanessa Rubin - “Girl Talk” (Telarc)
Eric Sardinas - “Devil’s Train” (Evidence)
Adam Schmitt - “Demolition” (Parasol)
Slumber Party - “Psychodelicate” (Kill Rock Stars)
Speak No Evil - “Welcome to the Downside” (Universal)
Stereolab “Sound-Dust” (Elektra)
Ron Stewart - “Time Stands Still” (Rounder)
Billy Taylor - “Urban Griot” (Soundpost)
Tech N9ne - “Anghellic” (Jcor)
Glenn Tilbrook - “The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook” (What Are Records?)
Urban Knights - “Urban Nights 4” (Narada)
Various artists - “Down the Dirt Road - The Songs of Charley Patton” (Telarc)
Various artists - “Electro Lounge, Vol. 2” (The Right Stuff)
Various artists - “Smooth Jazz: The Quiet Storm” (Shanachie)
Various artists - “Two Can Play that Game” soundtrack (MCA)

Compiled by Jon Zahlaway with Rob Evans, Christina Fuoco, Scott Henkemeyer and James Woster.