The record deemed by many the best of the '00s -- Radiohead's "Kid A" -- came out in the first year of the decade.

We won't know for 10 years if that's going to happen again, but it's safe to say that some of the most anticipated records of 2010 (Vampire Weekend, Spoon, Peter Gabriel ...) will be out in the first few months of this new year.

Here's a look at what's coming out (dates are subject to change):

MOST ANTICIPATED

Vampire Weekend, "Contra" (Jan. 12): The preppy New York band, which broke out in 2008 with a sound borrowed from Talking Heads and Paul Simon's "Graceland," returns with a second album said to lean on the following influences: "third-wave ska, the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band, Brazilian baile funk, Congolese thumb pianos, Repo Man, Sublime's '40 Oz. to Freedom,' reggaeton, bachata, Bollywood, Philip Roth, Beethoven, NYC 1983, dancehall, and the Beastie Boys' second album, 'Paul's Boutique.' " Drummer Christopher Tomson has noted, "I think we sound more like Vampire Weekend than we did on the first record."

Spoon, "Transference" (Jan. 19): Metacritic's Artist of the Decade begins a new decade with a seventh, self-produced studio album that doesn't depart from the Austin, Texas, band's style of smart, quirky pop.

Corrine Bailey Rae, "The Sea" (Jan. 26): The soulful British singer-songwriter, who was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy after her 2006 debut, returns with a sophomore album two years after the death of her husband, so emotions should be high.

Peter Gabriel, "Scratch My Back" (Jan. 26): This is the first in a series of cover albums featuring songs by David Bowie, Paul Simon, the Arcade Fire, Radiohead and more. It's part of a "song-swap project," so those bands will be covering Gabriel songs as well. The twist is that rather than guitars and drums, he will be backed by orchestral instruments.

Sade, "Soldier of Love" (Feb. 9): First album in a decade from the seductive British-Nigerian diva.

Usher, "Raymond v. Raymond" (March 2): The Michael Jackson disciple, one of the biggest hitmakers of the past decade, returns with his sixth album, featuring the single "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" with Plies.

Broken Bells, "Broken Bells" (March 9): Debut from duo featuring Shins frontman James Mercer and producer Danger Mouse has already yielded a tasty first single, "The High Road."

New this week

Ke$ha, "Animal": The dance-pop newcomer, who broke out on Flo Rida's single "Right Round," has already broken digital sales records with her own No. 1 single, "Tik Tok." Here's the rest of the album.

Christina Milian, "Elope": The R&B/pop singer collaborates with new husband The-Dream on a long-awaited fourth album.

Katharine McPhee, "Unbroken": The "American Idol" runner-up from 2006 issues her sophomore album, leading with the adult contemporary hit "Had it All."

Jan. 12

Ringo Starr, "Y Not": The Fab Four drummer, who reportedly cannot play the game "Rock Band," gets an assist from old mate Paul McCartney on "Walk With You," the first single. For the first time, Starr produced himself, and the album is loaded with special guests, including Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx.

Laura Veirs, "July Flame": The meditative Portland, Ore., singer-songwriter, who worked with the Decemberists on "The Crane Wife," delivers a seventh solo record that features Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and is already drawing rave reviews.

OK Go, "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky": The famous treadmill team returns with a third studio album produced by Dave Fridman (Flaming Lips, MGMT) that embraces loud psychedelia.

Omarion, "Ollusion": R&B singer and former B2K member, recently parted with Lil Wayne's Young Money label, releases a third solo album, leading with the single "I Get It In."

Jason Boesel, "Hustler's Son": Rilo Kiley drummer steps to the fore with a countrified solo debut, getting help from members of RK, Band of Horses and Tom Petty's Heartbreakers (Benmont Tench).

Jan. 19

Eels, "End Times": Fresh off the release of "Hombre Lobo," Eels frontman E returns quickly with a stripped-down "divorce album" recorded on an old four-track tape machine.

Motion City Soundtrack, "My Dinosaur Life": The Minneapolis pop-punk band's fourth album is its major-label debut, produced by blink-182's Mark Hoppus and leading with the single "Disappear."

Neil Sedaka, "The Music of My Life": The legendary songwriter received a rave review from AARP magazine for his first album in 10 years.

Jan. 26

Beach House, "Teen Dream": Baltimore indie darlings, known for their dreamy atmospherics, move to Sub Pop for a third album produced by Chris Coady (TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Patty Griffin, "Downtown Church": Contemporary-folk darling returns with album of gospel-tinged songs recorded in the sanctuary of the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with producer Buddy Miller.

The Magnetic Fields, "Realism": Following 2008's noisy "Distortion," Stephin Merritt returns with what he calls a "folk album" in the Judy Collins vein.

Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now": The hit Nashville trio returns with a second album featuring a title track that topped the country singles chart in the fall.

Charlotte Gainsbourg, "Irm": French pop star works with Beck on her third album.

Pat Metheny, "Orchestrion": Legendary jazz guitarist leans heavily on technology for this experimental solo album.

Evacuate Chicago, "Veracity": Debut from hard rock trio featuring three members of the humor-core band Psychostick.

Feb. 2

Nick Jonas and the Administration, "Who I Am": The 17-year-old heartthrob ventures off with two members of Prince's New Power Generation, drummer Michael Bland and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella on a record he says was influenced by the Prince and Stevie Wonder.

Lifehouse, "Smoke & Mirrors": California "alt-rock" band, which broke out big in 2001 with "Hanging by a Moment," returns with a fifth album, led by the single "Halfway Gone."

Toni Braxton, "Pulse": R&B singer preps her sixth album, which already has a hit single with "Yesterday," featuring Trey Songz.

Groove Armada, "Black Light": British dance-pop duo's eighth album features a guest spot from Bryan Ferry.

Midlake, "The Courage of Others": Indie Americana band issues the follow-up to 2006's"The Trials of Van Occupanther," which hit the PG's Top 10 list.

Disco Biscuits, "Planet Anthem": Philadelphia group works with multiple producers on another blend of electronic and jam band elements.

Feb. 9

Massive Attack, "Heligoland": First album in seven years from the British trip-hop duo features a guest list that includes Damon Albarn (Blur), Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Guy Garvey (Elbow).

Hot Chip, "One Life Stand": British hipster electropop group issues a fourth album.

Monica, "Still Standing": R&B singer/actress's sixth album follows a BET reality series by the same title.

Yeasayer, "Odd Blood": The Brooklyn indie band told Pitchfork that its second collection would be "a little more up-tempo, a little more dance-y."

Allison Moorer, "Crows": Grammy-nominated alt-country singer-songwriter (and wife of Steve Earle) releases a second record, produced by R.S. Field (Buddy Guy, John Mayall), that is said to be more "refined and lyrically honest" than her debut.

Watson Twins, "Talking to You, Talking to Me": Indie-folk sibling duo describes its fourth album as "taking a soulful turn a la Carole King but with a pop edge reminiscent of Feist."

Feb. 16

The Game, "The R.E.D. Album": The L.A. rapper, working once again with Dr. Dre, drops a fourth album that is said to feature contributions from Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga, Pharrell, Gucci Mane and Kanye West.

Jessica Harp, "A Woman Needs": Country singer of Wreckers fame issues her first solo album with Warner Music Nashville.

James Otto, "James Otto": Member of Nashville's MuzikMafia releases what he calls a country-soul effort.

Juliana Hatfield, "Peace and Love": Indie-pop darling (from the Blake Babies) produced and played all the instruments on her 11th studio album.

Field Music, "Measure": Acclaimed British indie-rockers reunite for new album.

Seven Fields of Aphelion, "Periphery": Solo debut by female member of Pittsburgh psych band Black Moth Super Rainbow.

Feb. 23

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, "Here Lies Love": Outstandingly quirky combo gathers likes of Santigold, Tori Amos, Sharon Jones and St. Vincent for a 22-track song cycle about Imelda Marcos.

Erykah Badu, "New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh": Neo-soul pioneer promises a more personal and emotional trip on her sixth studio album.

Shout Out Louds, "Work": Swedish indie rockers on Merge Records release a third album produced by Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses).

Xiu Xiu, "Dear God, I Hate Myself": Seventh studio album from California experimental-rock band (pronounced shoe-shoe) is the first since the departure of multi-instrumentalist Caralee McElroy.

Daniel Merriweather, "Love and War": New Australian singer-songwriter who's been called a cross between Dion and Otis Redding already has a UK hit with "Red."

The Rocket Summer, "Of Men and Angels": Alternative Press tour headliner promises "artful power pop."

March 2

Jamie Foxx, "Body": Oscar-winning actor and singer drops his fourth album, with assists from Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, and led by the single "Speak French."

Jamie Cullum, "The Pursuit": British jazz-pop performer's first album since 2005 was produced by Greg Wells (Katy Perry, Colbie Caillat).

Natalie Merchant, "Leave Your Sleep": Her first collection in seven years features songs adapted from the works of various classic and contemporary poets.

The Whigs, "In the Dark": Athens, Ga., garage-rockers release the follow-up to the acclaimed "Mission Hill."

March 9

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, "Beat the Devil's Tattoo": San Francisco alt-rock band's fifth album is the first with Raveonettes drummer Leah Shapiro.

The Chieftains with Ry Cooder, "San Patricio": Two legends collaborate to tell the story of a group of Irish-Americans who switched sides during the Mexican-American War of 1846. Guests include Liam Neeson and Linda Ronstadt.

Frightened Rabbit, "The Winter of Mixed Drinks": Scottish indie-rockers add a fifth member for "heavily layered" third album.

Liars, "Sisterworld": Indie-rockers say their fifth album concerns "alternate spaces people create in order to maintain identity in a city like L.A. where outcasts and loners celebrate a skewered relationship to society."

Josh Rouse, "El Turista": The breezy singer-songwriter's new album is saturated by Spanish, Cuban and Brazilian influences and partially sung in Spanish.

The Bundles: Antifolk artists Kimya Dawson (of Moldy Peaches and "Juno" fame) and Jeffrey Lewis join forces with Karl Blau for a lo-fi debut album.

March 16

Chamillionaire, "Venom": Third album from the Grammy-winning Southern rapper is advanced by the hit single "Good Morning."

Drive By Truckers, "The Big To-Do": Frontman Patterson Hood says of the band's 10th album and first for ATO: "It's very much a rock album .... Very melodic and more rocking than anything we've done since disc 2 of 'Southern Rock Opera.' "

March 23

Bettie Serveert, "Pharmacy of Love": Dutch indie band, which has toured with Wilco and Counting Crows, promises a "back to basics" approach on first album in three years.

The Dillinger Escape Plan, "Option Paralysis": New Jersey mathcore band's fourth album is the first on its new label.

Goldfrapp, "Head First": British electronic group's latest is described as "'80s West Coast pop power chords meet Italo disco."

Drink Up Buttercup, "Born and Thrown on a Hook": Yep Roc debut from Beatlesque Philly pop quartet.

April 6

Peter Wolf, "Midnight Souvenirs": Seventh solo album from J. Geils Band frontman features duets with Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne and Neko Case.

Also coming

Danny Gokey, "My Best Days": Country debut from "American Idol" Season Eight finalist.

Three 6 Mafia, "Laws of Power": Hip-hop group's 10th album features a track with Slash.

The Drums: Debut album for hot New York band that's been called "a surfy version of New Order."

Pittsburgh Made

Altaic, "Oceans Down You'll Lie" (Jan. 15)

Centipede Eest, "Resonator" (LP + download, March 16; 7-inch, Feb. 16)

Voice in the Wire, "Signals in Transmission" (Feb. 26)

28 North (March 13)

Mariage Blanc (March)

Power Pill Fist, "Secret Albino Lover" (DVD, March)

Slices (spring)

Icon Gallery (spring)

Allies (late spring)

Black Crash (late spring)

Kim Phuc (May)