These new CD releases and coming live shows should provide some warmth as fall and winter approach:

CDs

September

• Devendra Banhart, "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon"

As evinced from recent pictures, this freak folkie has gone even further off the deep end, which should be good news for fans.

• Black Francis, "Bluefinger"

Frank Black reverts to his Pixies' alter-ego for 11 fresh slices from his mind. Said to be inspired by Dutch painter/musician Herman Brood and His Wild Romance.

• Manu Chao, "La Radiolina"

This is a bit of a cheat, as Chao released his first studio album in six years the first week of September. He hasn't lost any of his vitriol in the intervening time, however, as he rails against globalization with a beat you can dance to.

• David Crowder, "Remedy"

Can Crowder possibly do better than the thoughtful, quirky "Collision"? We'll see.

• Foo Fighters, "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace"

Judging by first single "The Pretender," expect more bombast from these arena rockers, as well as a bit more balladry, as Dave Grohl gets in touch with his softer, gentler side.

• PJ Harvey, "White Chalk"

Polly Jean goes soft, sort of, on her eighth studio album, a collection of piano-based ballads. Expect moody, introverted lyrics, though.

• Office, "A Night at the Ritz"

This band is just fun. It's indie rock with an '80s pop influence.

• Stars, "In Our Bedroom After the War"

Canadian New Romantics' fourth full length promises even more starry-eyed emotions.

• Eddie Vedder, "Music for the Motion Picture `Into the Wild' "

The Pearl Jam frontman wrote a song cycle for the film based on Jon Krakauer's book about an Alaska adventurer.

• Caetano Veloso, "Lingua" (Universal Classics)

A collection of the Brazilian singer's best, including his cover of Nirvana's "Come as You Are."

Oct. 2

• Go! Team, "Proof of Youth"

The British indie rock, hip-hop, cheerleading collective brings bouncy anthems and catchy singalongs on its second release.

• Annie Lennox, "Songs of Mass Destruction"

Lennox can do lovely melancholy like nobody else. This time, it's not just love and loss on her mind; she's got the world on her shoulders.

• Chevelle, "Vena Sera"

Admittedly, we lost track of Chevelle not long after "Wonder What's Next" (2002). But solid rock like this shouldn't be passed up.

• Over the Rhine, "Snow Angels"

Soulful, sometimes jazzy, always unpretentious and melodic. It's just how OTR rolls. The band's newest will be another of its Christmas albums, favoring originals and simple twists on standards.

• Matchbox Twenty, "Exile on Mainstream"

Matchbox Twenty is turning into guilty-pleasure pop. I think I'm OK with that.

Oct. 9

• The Hives, "The Black and White Album"

Three years is a long time to wait for more raucous fun from your new favorite band. Plus, the first single is called "Tick Tick Boom." Really, do you need another reason?

• Beirut, "The Flying Club Cup"

Albuquerque ex-pat Zach Condon reportedly ditches Balkan folk for French chanson on his group's second disc.

• Band of Horses, "Cease to Begin"

These indie rockers went through some band member changes and moved from Seattle to South Carolina. First single "Is There a Ghost" offers a glimpse of what's to come.

Oct. 16

• Jars of Clay, "Christmas Songs"

This is the album Jars fans have been hoping for, and frankly, we didn't mind the wait. Jars' history swings from earthy, mandolin-backed indie sounds to full-blown rock, with hymns, gospel and pop gems in between - and we can expect this album to do the same.

Oct. 23

• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand"

Former Zep frontman shows bluegrass maven how to wail; she shows him how to keep it under control.

• Cobra Starship, "If the World Is Ending, We Are Throwing the Party"

You probably first heard them on the "Snakes on a Plane" soundtrack, which gives good insight into the band's sound: It's about having fun playing cool rock.

Nov. 6

• The Raveonettes, "Lust Lust Lust"

The Jesus & Mary Chain-obsessed Danish duo fade to black with boy-girl vocals.

• Sara Groves, "Tell Me What You Know"

Christian pop songstress Groves has always challenged listeners to think deeper, whether on religion or relationships.

• Sigur Ros, "Hvarf/Heim"

If you haven't been hooked yet, this should be a good introduction to the minimalist rock sounds from the Iceland band.

Nov. 13

• Duran Duran, "Red Carpet Massacre"

The Brit New Wavers ditched their first attempt, so Timbaland could make 'em funky. Includes the Justin Timberlake duet "Nite Runner."

• Amy Winehouse, "Frank"

A re-release of her edgy, jazzy debut.

Nov. 20

• Daft Punk, "Daft Punk Alive 2007"

The spacesuited French duo is out to conquer the world one dance floor at a time. This CD/DVD is a record of their Paris show in June.

• Dido, (Title TBA)

It'll be interesting to hear how the Aussie pop vocalist has evolved.

Dates uncertain

• Joseph Arthur, "Abwoon"

• Cursive, (Title TBA)

The former is an artist whose songs are filled with stories and notions and soul. The latter is a pop band that coats ideas and lyrics with innovative work with guitars, harmonies and drums.

• The Killers, "Sawdust"

A compilation of B-sides, outtakes (a Brandon Flowers/Lou Reed duet on "Tranquilize"), remixes and covers, including a concert regular from the early shows: Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet."

Live shows

• The New Pornographers, Saturday at the Sunshine Theater. If only for Neko Case, go.

• Sparta opening for Velvet Revolver and a reconstituted Alice In Chains, Sept. 25 at Journal Pavilion. It'll be interesting to see if these El Paso homeboys can hold their own on the big stage.

• The Academy Is . . . and Armor For Sleep, Sept. 27 at the Sunshine Theater. Chicago's Academy always puts on a great show, and Armor will be debuting new material.

• Chiodos and the Devil Wears Prada, Oct. 2 at the Sunshine Theater. First headlining tour for Chiodos (about time), and they're bringing the new kids on the (heavy metal) block.

• Jesu, Oct. 7 at the Launchpad. Having resolved their visa problems from earlier this year, these Brits bring their inherent heaviness to the Southwest.

• They Might Be Giants, Oct. 7 at the Santa Fe Brewing Co. Tough choice for a Sunday night. John and John bring music from "The Else." Warning: Though this is all ages, this isn't TMBG's kiddie show.

• Blackpool Lights, Oct. 8 at the Moonlight Lounge. Former Get Up Kids singer Jim Suptic returns to the Duke City with his new outfit to debut new tunes.

• Soular with Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys and Luma. Oct. 12 at the Launchpad. Albuquerque's Next Big Thing isn't playing a ton of local shows anymore. Catch 'em while you can.

• Mickey Avalon with Andre Legacy and Dirt Nasty. Oct. 13 at the Launchpad. It's glam rap. Yeah, you read that right. This wild-haired skinny white guy with loads of mascara has the both the bravado and foul mouth to pull it off, too.

• Black Moth Super Rainbow, Oct. 14 at the Sunshine Theater. This Austin collective brings its version of Texas psychedelia, with Aesop Rock.

• Collective Soul, Oct. 18 at the Sunshine Theater. Between these guys and Lifehouse, it looks to be a couple of weeks of deep-voiced, givin'-it-another-go rock/pop.

• Ghostface Killah, Oct. 19 at the University of New Mexico. The Adult Swim Hip-Hop Tour of U.S. colleges will bring the Wu Tang Clan rapper back through Albuquerque.

• Lifehouse, Oct. 23 at the Sunshine Theater.

• Jonezetta and Family Force 5 with the Secret Handshake. Oct. 25 at the Launchpad.

• Minus the Bear with Helio Sequence and Grand Archives. Oct. 31 at the Sunshine Theater. Seattle quintet Minus the Bear brings its cool indie rock on the "Planet of Ice" tour.

• Chevelle with Tyler Read, Nov. 6 at the Sunshine Theater. Amazing guitar work. Lots of yelling. Reflective lyrics. It's what rock should be.

• John Prine, Nov. 7 at the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe. It's a chance to watch the clever, deliberate and enchanting work of the nation's best songsmiths.

• Octopus Project, Alaska in Winter, A Hawk and a Hacksaw. Nov. 14 at the Launchpad. Octopus is the yin to Black Moth Super Rainbow's yang - get ready to rock the theremin. Watch out for stray electromagnetic fields. And, at $8, it's a good deal: a couple of indie pop bands with Albuquerque ties doing big, cool things with keys, drums and accordions, opening for another mesmerizing band.

• Modest Mouse, Nov. 17 at the Kiva Auditorium. It's been almost a year since "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" debuted, but it's still on heavy iPod rotation. The band has evolved album to album, ramping up the energy every time. Let's hope it translates well to the stage.

• Fall Out Boy with Gym Class Heroes, Cute Is What We Aim For and Plain White T's. Nov. 24 at Santa Ana Center. Sure, the kids will mostly be paying for cool rockers Fall Out Boy. But the T's could steal the show - and your girl - with "Hey There, Delilah."