Prince [ tickets ]
"3121"
(Universal)

Having made his name (and fortune) on Warner Bros. with such platinum-plus-selling works as "1999" and "Purple Rain," Prince is set to make his Universal Records debut with "3121."

The highly anticipated disc, which follows 2004's critically acclaimed "Musicology," features the Purple One's latest protege, R&B vocalist Tamar, on the song "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed." The current single from the album is "Black Sweat," the video for which is already receiving substantial rotation on music television channels. The CD's first single, the ballad "Te Amo Corazon," was released late last year.

The 47-year-old Minnesotan is going out of his way to promote the album and, much like he did with "Musicology," actively courting the media. Most notably, he performed the new track "Fury" back in February on "Saturday Night Live," a show that has featured numerous skits that poked fun at the musician.

Ben Harper [ tickets ]
"Both Sides of the Gun"
(Virgin)

Ben Harper, the guitarist-vocalist best known for the popular singles "Burn One Down" and "Steal My Kisses," is back with a follow-up to 2004's "There Will Be a Light." The first single from "Both Sides of the Gun" is "Better Way."

Harper, a tireless road warrior, keeps right on touring. Notably, he will take part in the Kokua Festival in Hawaii on April 19 & 22 and the annual Sasquatch! Music Festival in Washington on May 27.

My Chemical Romance [ tickets ]
"Life on the Murder Scene"
(Reprise)

This New Jersey-based band should further cash in on its overwhelming popularity with this new CD/DVD set. "Life on the Murder Scene" is a fan-friendly treat that delivers about four hours of live footage as well as a batch of rarities and demos. This isn't a proper follow-up to "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge," but it should still make the band's fans very happy.

Chicago
"Chicago XXX"
(Rhino)

Although this CD is being released by Rhino, a label best known for issuing anthologies, "Chicago XXX" isn't a greatest hits package. There are probably enough of those for this band already on the market.

What there hasn't been much of on the market, at least in recent years, is genuine new product. In fact, this album is the band's first collection of new material since 1995's "Night and Day: Big Band."

Josh Rouse
"Subtitulo"
(Nettwerk)

Singer/songwriter Josh Rouse returns with the follow-up to his acclaimed fifth CD, 2005's "Nashville." The Nebraska-born roots artist is getting much media attention lately, including a spot on NPR's "Weekend Edition" and coverage from such publications as Paste and Filter. Rouse will support "Subtitulo" on the road, beginning with a run of North American dates in April.

Teddy Geiger
"Underage Thinking"
(Sony)

Many TV viewers are already familiar with the young heartthrob, who appeared on both VH1's "In Search of the New Partridge Family" and the failed CBS series "Love Monkey." Now, music fans have a chance to get to know the budding pop star with the release of his debut CD.

Other new releases:
Anti-Flag, "For Blood and Empire" (RCA)
Cannibal Corpse, "Kill" (Metal Blade)
Editors, "Back Room" (Fader)
Faktion, "Faktion" (Roadrunner)
From First to Last, "Heroine" (Epitaph)
Liars, "Drum's Not Dead" (Mute)
Loose Fur, "Born Again in the Usa" (Drag City)
Murs, "Murray's Revenge" (Record Collection)
Gary Numan, "Jagged" (Metropolis)
Kenny Rogers, "Water and Bridges" (Capitol)
Tom Russell, "Love and Fear" (Hightone)
The Sounds, "Dying to Say This to You" (Scratchie)
Take 6, "Feels Good" (Take 6)
The Vacation, "The Vacation" (American)
Johnny Watson, "Giant" (Shout Factory)
Keller Williams, "Grass" (SCI Fidelity)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Lost (Music from the ABC Television Series)" (Varese)