Plus: John Doe [ tickets ] and The Sadies [ tickets ], Bill Callahan [ tickets ], more

Silversun Pickups [ tickets ]
"Swoon"
(Dangerbird)

The Los Angeles-based indie-rock outfit returns with its sophomore effort, which follows 2006's "Carnavas." That debut delivered two Top 10 hits on the Modern Rock Chart: "Lazy Eye" and "Well Thought Out Twinkles."

"Swoon" was produced by Dave Cooley, who also worked with the Pickups on "Carnavas." The first single from the new album is the track "Panic Switch.”

Death Cab for Cutie [ tickets ]
"The Open Door EP"
(Atlantic)

While fans of the popular Pacific Northwest alt-pop band await a full-length follow-up to 2008's "Narrow Stairs," they can pass time by checking out this five-song EP. "The Open Door" features four new tracks and one unreleased demo.

The four new cuts were recorded during the "Narrow Stairs" sessions, while the demo recording is an early take on "Talking Bird" (a song that made it onto the actual "Stairs" CD). The EP was produced by Death Cab for Cutie's guitarist, Chris Walla.

The group recently embarked on a lengthy North American tour, which is currently set to wind up on July 18 in Redmond, WA.

Metric [ tickets ]
"Fantasies"
(02)

These Canadian alt-rockers are ready to unveil their fourth studio album, which is the band's first full-length effort consisting of all-new material since 2005's "Live It Out."

"Fantasies" was produced by Gavin Brown and Jimmy Shaw, and mixed by the band's Grammy-nominated friend and collaborator John O'Mahony (Coldplay, The Strokes).

After a few dates this month in Canada, Metric will launch a US tour June 4 in Seattle. The outing is scheduled to hit 13 cities over two weeks, concluding June 19 in Philadelphia.

John Doe and The Sadies
"Country Club"
(Yep Roc)

The punk-rock pioneer teams with the Canadian alt-country troupe for this collection of classic country covers and originals. Included in the mix are songs originally made famous by such legends as Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Ray Price. Three of the album's original songs were written by The Sadies, while the other one was written by Doe and his X partner Exene Cervenka.

Bill Callahan
"Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle"
(Drag City)

The indie-music singer/songwriter, who is better known by the stage moniker Smog, delivers his second album under his birth name. His first release to be filed under Bill Callahan was 2007's "Woke on a Whaleheart," which followed such acclaimed Smog entries as 2005's "A River Ain't Too Much to Love.”

More new releases:
Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, "The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings" (Fantasy)
Day26, "Forever in a Day" (Bad Boy)
Dukes Of Stratosphear, "25 O'Clock" (Ape)
Dukes of Stratosphear, "Psonic Psunspot" (Ape)
Easy Star All-Stars, "Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band" (Easy Star)
Jonathan Goldman, "Crystal Bowls Chakra Chants" (Spirit)
Buddy Guy, "The Definitive Buddy" (Shout Factory)
The Handsome Family, "Honey Moon" (Carrot Top)
Ida Maria, "Fortress Round My Heart" (Mercury)
Medeski Martin & Wood, "Radiolarians II" (Indirecto)
Willie Nile, "House of a Thousand Guitars" (R.E.D.)
Jake Shimabukuro, "Live" (Hitchhike)
Simon & Garfunkel, "Live 1969" (Sony)
Bernie Williams, "Moving Forward" (Reform)