April 18, 2005 - A lotta stuff hitting this week. From the modern R&B; stylings of Amerie to Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas' solo venture to indie rap from Zion I.

As usual, all release dates are subject to change.

22-20s - 22-20s (Astralwerks)
This young U.K. quartet (Martin Trimble,Glen Bartup, James Irving, Charly Coombes) recorded their full-length debut with producer Brendan Lynch (best known for his work with Paul Weller, Primal Scream, and others) in North London. The band's leader (Trimble) proclaims "We wanted to make a rock 'n' roll record that wasn't about wearing Converse and becoming junkies."

Amerie - Touch (Columbia)
Former military brat and English and Fine Arts degree holding (from Georgetown University, no less) R&B; chantuese Amerie delivers her second full-length effort. It features guest appearances from Carl Thomas and Eve.

Autechre - Untilted (Warp)
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England duo fo Rob Brown and Sean Booth return to the fold with this, their eighth release under the Autechre moniker. Fittingly, the album features no less than 8 new tracks.

Charmed: The Book of Shadows (WB TV show; w/Sarah McLaughlin, the Donnas, Liz Phair and more) (Treadstone)
The second soundtrack CD linked to the popular WB series starring Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, and Hollie Marie Combs. The CD features songs by Sarah McLaughlin, The Donnas, Missy Higgins, Vanessa Carlton, Shivaree, Liz Phair, and others.

Cobra Verde - Copycat Killers (Scat)
Cleveland indie rockers dish out an all-covers album featuring crazy renditions of songs by the Rolling Stones, Donna Summer, New Order, Pink, Hawkwind, The Fall, and more.

Da Beatminerz - Fully Loaded with Static (Priority)
Legendary underground rap DJ/producers Mr. Walt and DJ Evil Dee meld their crate digging grooves with the microphone agility of KRS-One, Last Emperor, Jean Grae, Dilated Peoples, Lord Sear, and more.