Welcome to the first New Album Releases column of 2008.

So, as you would probably expect there is not one whole hell of a lot to talk about in this second week of 2008, following a somewhat less than overwhelming slate of new music from the labels during the recently concluded holiday buying season. And, of course let us not forget that the first really big news of 2008 actually happened last week, as Radiohead dropped the physical version of its much-talked about In Rainbows CD in stores on New Years Day.

Actually, the biggest news this week probably lies in the fact that the labels didn't quite get all of those holiday reissue packages out before Christmas after all. Among the unusually high volume of reissues hitting stores this week are multiple catalog titles from everyone from Billy Squier to Donnie "Ah, Leah" Iris to Sammy Hagar to The Bangles and Laura Branigan.

But since the expected big guns of the first quarter of 2008 — from artists like Coldplay and Janet Jackson — aren't expected to begin rolling out until February, for now we'll take whatever we can get. Which for this week means new albums from Marah and Medeski, Martin & Wood.

I'm actually pretty excited about Marah's new Angels of Destruction CD, since they are one of my favorite so-called "indie rock" bands — although that label doesn't always fit these guys. In the past, the Bielanko Brothers (Dave and Serge) could always be counted on for two things. One, is a kick-ass live show, and the other are great songs that cover everything from busted relationships to the joys and sorrows of drinking (like I said, my kind of band).

Musically, they can be a bit all over the place — from said indie rock to even the occasional celtic jig. On this album, they welcome new member Christine Smith on keyboards, and early reports say she brings a bit of a jazz flavor to the mix.

Like Marah, Medeski, Martin & Wood tend to defy categorization, but the one thing fans of these guys will swear by is their undeniable musical chops. Past releases have seen these guys combine elements of blues, jazz, and funk to create an intoxicating stew of musical improvisation. One never knows exactly what you will get on an album by these guys, although I hear the new Let's Go Everywhere is actually a children's album, so I guess we'll see .