New Releases: Modest Mouse Dead On Arrival

There's almost always a minimum three-year gap between Modest Mouse records, so it comes as no surprise that the band's new LP is one of this year's most anticipated releases. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, out Tuesday, features prominent contributions from James Mercer of The Shins and Johnny Marr of The Smiths. And it's probably the last time you'll hear from the band until 2010. Creepy.

It's a big week for independent releases, so here's a rundown of the highlights:

—With a new Animal Collective record currently in the works, you can satisfy your thirst with Panda Bear's Person Pitch, which features a similar aesthetic to AC's work but less Avey Tare.

—Ted Leo's back with Living With The Living, a highly charged political album that features some of his most raucous work to date.

—Low are releasing their first album since their bassist left and their lead singer had a nervous breakdown. Drums And Guns features a much more sparse sound than the group have ever produced.

—It's been a long time since we've heard from Def Jux head El-P, but he returns with a collection of crazy beats and an even crazier guest list, including Trent Reznor and Cat Power.

Here are some of this week's other releases, there's just too many to talk about:

A NORTHERN CHORUS The Millions Too Many (Sonic Unyon)
ADULT. Why Bother? (Thrill Jockey)
ANDREW BIRD Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum/Outside)
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS Abattoir Blues Tour (Mute/EMI)
C-MURDER Screamin' 4 Vengeance (Capitol/EMI)
DAATH The Hinderers (Roadrunner/Universal)
4HERO Play With The Changes (Chicooligan)
GENESIS Turn It On Again - The Hits (Warner)
J DILLA Ruff Draft (Stones Throw)
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM Sound Of Silver (Capitol/EMI)
STEPHEN MARLEY Mind Control (Universal)
WILLY MASON If The Ocean Gets Rough (Astralwerks/EMI)
THE PONYS Turn The Lights Out (Matador/Beggars)
RTX Western Xterminator (Drag City)
JOSS STONE Introducing Joss Stone (Virgin/EMI)
TRACEY THORN Out Of The Woods (Astralwerks/EMI)
THE ZINCS Black Pompadour (Thrill Jockey)