New Releases: Tegan And Sara Ready To Con Listeners

Yes, folks, we're truly in the dog days of summer. After the orgy of new music on July 10 with Interpol, Spoon and Smashing Pumpkins, last week was so dry that you could feel the whole music industry collapse under its own boredom. This week isn't much better, but a few notable releases have ensured that a pile of niche fans will make their way to the record shop or iTunes.

Tegan And Sara have amassed a pretty solid following since the release of their last record, So Jealous. They've appeared at festivals around the world and even had a track covered by The White Stripes. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and I doubt that the Quin twins would disagree with that one. In any event, the duo's new album, The Con, comes out Tuesday.

Manic Street Preachers for a while were one of those bands who seemed on the verge of being the next big thing on North American shores, but they've never really made it past cult status. Still, that won't stop the trio from taking another kick at the can on their Red Ink debut, Send Away The Tigers, this week.

Remember Prince? Oh, right, how could you not? He headlined the Super Bowl half-time show and has played exclusive parties for celebrities all year. To back up the swagger, he's releasing Planet Earth on Tuesday. If you live in England, maybe you got it for free with your newspaper this weekend. If you're on Planet North America, however, you'll have to buy it like everyone else. On the plus side, if you're on drugs the cover will freak you right out.