Natalie Merchant introduces Ophelia, original West-coast rap bad-boyIce T takes a trip Below Eutopia and glam-rock's most memorable contributors, Slaughter and Vixen, return to the land of the living this week, as they all release long-awaited follow-ups. |

No one is better at telling a story than the ever-so-enchanting Natalie Merchant. This time she brings along a friend. Ophelia presents several emotional twists and turns that Merchant thickens with a full orchestra, horn section and keyboards. Duets with Innocence Mission's Karen Peris and ex-Brand New Heavy N'Dea Davenport lend themselves to the album's multi-layered disposition.

The best of the West-Coast brat pack is back. Below Eutopia: The Lost Score is Ice-T's first album since 1996's Return of the Real.

Into the Sun, Sean Lennon's first solo release, proves that he can't help following his legendary parents down the musical highway. After hooking up with Beastie Boy Adam Yauch on the Tibetan Freedom Concert Tour, Lennon signed with Grand Royal and laid down a rich, sonic blend of rock, jazz, bossa nova and straight-up pop that relate his coming-of-age queries in a very unique light.

Who ever said glam-rock was dead? Vixen and Slaughter rise from the trenches in all their hair-rock glory today with Tangerine and Eternal Live, respectively. It's been close to seven years since Vixen recorded an album. Tangerine features the original cast -- Janet Gardner, Gina Stile, Roxy Petrucci and sister Maxine -- as they show off their most melodic and aggressive rock album to date. Slaughter Live is the band's first live album and serves as a tribute to long-time guitarist and friend Tim Kelly, who was killed earlier this year in a car accident

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the soundtrack to director Terry Gilliam's adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson novel, is a collection of psychedelic rock legends and lounge act greats. Godzilla is a monster of a soundtrack, featuring Jake Dylan and the Wallflowers cover of Bowie's "Heroes." The soundtrack to the latest Sandra Bullock flim, Hope Floats is a collection of heart-felt ballads performed by Garth Brooks, Bryan Adams and Clint Black, to name a few. (Lana Fanelli)