Plus: Drive-by Truckers, Matthew Sweet [ tickets ], more

Erasure [ tickets ]
"Union Street"
(Mute U.S.)

Of all the unexpected things that will occur in the music business in 2006, Erasure traveling the acoustic road might well rank as the least likely.

Yet, Erasure's Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, two longtime veterans of synthesizer-based dance music, have indeed unplugged the expensive machines and picked up regular ol' acoustic guitars for "Union Street."

The album finds the duo revisiting 11 old songs, including "Boy," "Piano Song," "Stay With Me," "Spiraling" and "Home." Erasure will support the new CD with an acoustic tour that kicks off in North America in early May.

Jimmy Buffett [ tickets ]/Various Artists
"Hoot"
(Mailboat)

The new family film "Hoot" won't hit theaters until May 5, but young ones and (for better or worse) their parents can get a head start in memorizing all the songs by purchasing the soundtrack.

Much like with Jack Johnson's "Curious George" offering, this soundtrack will likely be one that both kids and their minivan-driving parents can agree upon. The disc features five new recordings by Jimmy Buffett, who also served as the film's co-producer. Of special note, "Hoot" includes Captain Buffett's cover of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." Other artists featured on this disc include Maroon 5, G Love, and Toots and the Maytals.

Dresden Dolls [ tickets ]
"Yes Virginia"
(Roadrunner)

The Dresden Dolls, which consist of singer/songwriter/pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione, return with their sophomore outing. The Boston-based punk/pop/cabaret duo's debut was its critically acclaimed 2004 eponymous effort.

The Dresden Dolls have embarked on a lengthy tour of North America and Europe. The trek includes stops at Bonnaroo (6/17) and Lollapalooza (8/4).

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs
"Under the Covers Vol. 1"
(Shout Factory)

Two pop-music faves join forces to celebrate the music of the '60s on this intriguing new set of cover songs. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs certainly know a thing or two about crafting fine pop songs--Sweet is best known for his seminal 1991 album "Girlfriend," and Hoffs hails from The Bangles.

The duo covers such well-known numbers as Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," the Who's "The Kids are Alright" and the Mamas and the Papas' "Monday, Monday." They also tackle such relative obscurities as the Left Banke's "She may Call You Up Tonight" and the Fairport Convention's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?"

Drive-by Truckers
"A Blessing and a Curse"
(New West)

Acclaimed Southern-rockers Drive-by Truckers return with their follow-up to 2004's "The Dirty South." That previous disc was a concept album that clocked in at over 70 minutes. In contrast, the new album is said to be a fairly economical joint, checking in at right around 45 minutes.

These boogie masters are best known for 2001's "Southern Rock Opera," a double-disc concept album that is one of the most critically acclaimed studio outings thus far of the 21st century. The Drive-by Truckers are supporting the new album with a North American tour that currently stretches through mid-May.

Other new releases:
Mindi Abair, "Life Less Ordinary" (GRP)
Karrin Allyson, "Footprints" (Concord)
Gerry Beckley, "Horizontal Fall" (Human Nature)
Adrian Belew, "Side Three" (Sanctuary)
Chris Berry, "Dancemakers" (Wrasse)
Richard Butler, "Richard Butler" (Koch)
Marshall Chapman, "Mellowicious!" (Tallgirl)
The Church, "Uninvited Like the Clouds" (Cooking Vinyl)
Dio, "Holy Diver Live" (Eagle)
Elefant, "Black Magic Show" (Kemado)
Fiery Furnaces, "Bitter Tea" (Fat Possum)
Ian Gillan, "Gillan's Inn" (Immergent)
Levon Helm and RCO All-Stars, "Live the the Palladium in New York City New Years 1977" (Levon Helm Studios)
Islands, "Return to the Sea" (Equator)
Mat Kearney, "Nothing Left to Lose" (Sony)
Killing Joke, "Hosannas From the Basements of Hell" (Cooking Vinyl)
Hil St Soul, "SOULidified" (Shanachie)
Tosca, "Souvenirs" (G-Stone)
Lizzie West and the White Buffalo, "I Pledge Allegiance to Myself" (Appleseed)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Basic Instinct 2" (La-La Land)