Plus: Yellowcard [ tickets ], Railroad Earth [ tickets ], more.

Josh Turner [ tickets ]
"Your Man"
(MCA Nashville)

Having sold more than a million copies of his debut, 2003's "Long Black Train," country singer Josh Turner finally returns with his sophomore effort. He's obviously trying to establish his country "cred" with this album. Not only does he enlist bluegrass great Ralph Stanley and old-school cowboy John Anderson, the South Carolina native then goes the extra mile by paying tribute to the likes of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, and by including a tune entitled "Loretta Lynn's Lincoln" on this eagerly anticipated follow-up.

P.O.D. [ tickets ]
"Testify"
(Atlantic)

P.O.D. might as well stand for "Platinum On Delivery." The band's fiery brand of alt rock has made it a very bankable commodity in the record business. The group's fans, who are referred to as "The Warriors," won't likely be disappointed by this album. The CD's first single, "Goodbye for Now," has already been met with favorable response.

Martin Casey [ tickets ] and the Lovehammers
"Martin Casey and the Lovehammers"
(Sony)

Coming in second on the "American Idol"-style reality TV show "Rock Star: INXS" didn't turn out so bad for Martin Casey. While the eventual winner, J.D. Fortune, was chosen to lead INXS, Casey managed to nab a record deal for his own band, the Lovehammers. Plus, as yet another consolation prize, Casey and the Lovehammers were chosen as the opening act on the famed Australian band's widely publicized tour. Whether Casey can turn this initial dose of fortune into a long-lasting career will be decided in large part by this debut record.

Yellowcard
"Lights and Sounds"
(Capitol)

The increasingly popular pop-punk act from Jacksonville, FL, which relocated to Southern California a few years back, returns with a "proper" follow-up to 2003's "Ocean Avenue." (Fans managed to hang on during the extended break in action thanks to the reissue of the band's sophomore CD, "Where We Stand," in 2005.) Folks are expecting big things from "Lights and Sounds," given that "Ocean Avenue" managed to go platinum.

Railroad Earth
"Elko"
(SCI Fidelity)

The bluegrass-soaked jam band has long drawn rave reviews from fans for its eclectic live shows, which blend musical idioms ranging from Celtic and rock to country and folk into one tie-dyed mix. Now the rest of the world can get an earful as the troupe releases its first-ever live album. The two-disc set, "Elko," was recorded during the group's spring 2005 tour and will be released on SCI Fidelity Records, which is the String Cheese Incident's label.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
"Rabbit Fur Coat"
(Team Love)

Lewis takes a break from leading Southern California's powerful Rilo Kiley to release this project with the Watson Twins. Rilo Kiley is also due for a new album. The band's last record was 2004's "More Adventurous," which followed 2002's "The Execution of All Things." This is Lewis' first solo effort.

Other new releases:
Rosanne Cash, "Black Cadillac" (Capitol)
Cat Power, "The Greatest," (Matador)
Tina Dico, "In the Red" (Defend)
The Elected, "Sun Sun Sun" (Sub Pop)
Ace Frehley, "Greatest Hits Live" (Megaforce)
Kenny G, "The Essential Kenny G" (Arista)
The Gourds, "Heavy Ornamentals" (Eleven Thirty)
Elton John, "Legendary Covers as Sung by Elton John" (DBK)
Johnny Maestro, "The Best of Johnny Maestro: 1958-1985" (Shout)
Mike Marshall and Chris Tile, "Live: Duets" (Sugarhill)
Robert Pollard, "From a Compound Eye" (Merge)
Kenny Rogers, "21 Number Ones" (Capitol)
Duncan Sheik, "White Limousine" (Zoe)
The Subdudes, "Behind the Levee" (Back Porch)
Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy, "The Brave and the Bold" (Overcoat)
Various Artists, "Guitar Hot Shots" (Hightone)
Various Artists, "2006 Grammy Nominees" (Strategic)
Various Artists, "Putumayo Kids Presents: Reggae Playground" (Putumayo)
Sarah Vaughan, "Great Lady of Jazz" (Laserlight)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Breakfast on Pluto" (Milan)
"The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast)" (Angel)
"New World" (New Line)