P.J. HARVEY - "WHITE CHALK"
15 years and 8 albums in, Polly Jean Harvey has established herself as the eminent 90's alternative female artist, while never taking a mis-step. Her haunting sound remains, though the featured instrument on this one is something she couldn't even play 3 years ago when she put out her last album...the piano. And it works.


DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL - "THE SHADE OF POISON TREES"
Card-carrying Emo club member Chris Carrabba (a.k.a. Dashboard Confessional) has his 5th record out, full of the same emotion spilling that he's become known for. It's not getting the best reviews, but if you're a fan that has aged along with Carrabba, you might dig it.


THE PIPETTES - "WE ARE THE PIPETTES"
Did you ever like The Ronettes? Or The Shirelles? Ever think what they would sound like with an injection of adrenaline? They would sound like The Pipettes. These girls friggin' rock, and I'd like to see you try to refrain from hand-clapping or foot stomping along. They blew the roof off of the Empty Bottle in the spring, but unfortunately their soon-to-be American tour (with another Chicago date) is being pushed back because of pesky visa problems.

HEAD OF FEMUR - "LEADER AND THE FALCON" EP
Chicago's own Head of Femur. They're an indie rock band on the national scope, and their new EP is out this week. An around-the-country tour will end with a release party at The Hideout on Oct. 26.


BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "MAGIC"
Come on..it's The Boss.