Belle & Sebastian [ tickets ]
"The Life Pursuit"
(Matador)

Fans of precious indie-pop music performed by precocious indie-pop stars can sleep easy knowing that Belle & Sebastian is set to drop its sixth album. The 13-track offering, which follows 2003's "Dear Catastrophe Waitress," was penned almost exclusively by bandleader Stuart Murdoch.

The first single off the album is "Funny Little Frog," which sounds like an appropriate title for a band that borrowed its name from a French TV show for kids. The group's die-hard fans, of which there are many, will certainly be interested in the limited-edition package that includes an accompanying live DVD.

Beth Orton [ tickets ]
"Comfort of Strangers"
(Astralwerks)

The 35-year-old British vocalist returns with her first full-length CD since 2002's "Daybreaker." The 14-track album, Orton's fourth solo release, was recorded in New York in early 2005 under the guidance of acclaimed producer Jim O'Rourke (Wilco, Sonic Youth).

The trip-hop-lovin' musician composed all the songs on the album. The title track, however, is a joint collaboration with O'Rourke and singer/songwriter M. Ward. Acclaimed percussionist Tim Barnes is prominently featured on the effort.

Jack Johnson [ tickets ] and Friends
"Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George"
(Universal)

The Hawaiian-born singer/surfer is a favorite with college-campus crowds. Now, the 30-year-old megastar hopes to attract a decidedly younger audience with this soundtrack to the new animated film "Curious George."

Johnson is accompanied on this work by his regular band--which features Adam Topol, Merlo Podlewski and Zack Gill--as well as his "Friends" Ben Harper, G. Love and Matt Costa. The album includes a rendition of The White Stripes' "We're Going to be Friends" and a version of the old "Schoolhouse Rock" ditty "Three is a Magic Number."

Johnson's previous CD was 2005's "In Between Dreams." That album's key track, "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing," is nominated in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category at the 48th annual Grammy Awards, which take place Wednesday (2/8).

Chick Corea
"The Ultimate Adventure"
(Concord)

The 12-time Grammy Award-winning pianist, who was at the keys during Miles Davis' controversial "electric" period in the late '70s, calls upon such fellow greats as percussionist Airto Moreira and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta to help him realize his latest artistic endeavor.

Corea borrowed the concept for the album from the book "The Ultimate Adventure" by L. Ron Hubbard, who is reportedly Corea's favorite author. Corea's last release, 2004's "To the Stars," was also inspired by the Church of Scientology founder's work.

Other new releases:
Mike Birbiglia, "Two Drink Mike" (Comedy Central)
Jason Collett, "Idols of Exile" (Arts and Crafts)
Deadboy and the Elephantmen, "We are Night Sky" (Fat Possum)
Jim Gaffigan, "Beyond the Pale" (Comedy Central)
Sarah Harmer, "I'm a Mountain" (Zoe)
Hem, "No Word From Tom" (Nettwerk)
In Flames, "Come Clarity" (Ferret)
Susheela Raman, "Music for Crocodiles" (Narada)
Buddy Rich, "The Best of Buddy Rich" (LRC)
Marty Stuart, "Live at the Ryman" (Universal)
KT Tunstall, "Eye to the Telescope" (Virgin)
Velvet Underground, "The Very Best of the Velvet Underground" (Fontana)
Ron White, "You Can't Fix Stupid" (Image)
Whitesnake, "The Definitive Collection" (Geffen)
Wolfmother, "Wolfmother" (Modular)
Yonder Mountain String Band, "Mountain Tracks, Vol. 4" (Megaforce)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Billy Elliot the Musical" (Decca)
"Elizabethtown, Vol. 2" (RCA)
"One Tree Hill" (Maverick)
"Transamerica" (Nettwerk)