1) Guns N’ Roses, Chinese Democracy (March 6): Perhaps the most anticipated album with the least trustworthy release date on this list, as fans have been craving new G N’ R songs since 1993’s The Spaghetti Incident?, but have been disappointed by a number of delays. Axl Rose, the band’s lead singer and lone remaining original member, has promised that the album will be released on March 6, but the album wasn’t listed on any online release lists. Perhaps Axl has had another bout of uncertainty. His hesitancy only heightens worries and expectations as fans hope and pray for another hard rock classic on par with 1987’s Appetite for Destruction.

2) J Dilla, Ruff Draft (March 6): This double album reissue of the famed hip-hop producers hard-to-find 2003 vinyl-only LP doesn’t technically count as a new release, but it is certainly anticipated. Prior to his death on Feb. 10, 2006, J Dilla had amassed quite a cult following, to the point where people paid hundreds of dollars on eBay for one of his elusive mix-tapes. The reissue adds bonus tracks and an instrumental disc to sweeten the deal. This crucial album reflects the transition of J Dilla from a song-focused producer providing tracks for specific artists to a more beats-oriented artist who dared singers and rappers to keep up with his creative backdrops.

3) LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver (March 13): Dance rock goes in and out of vogue daily in the hipster world, but for those of us who enjoy intelligent, danceable music, LCD Soundsystem is one of the most consistently fun bands to come around in awhile. If you’ve heard one LCD song, you know what to expect: detached, satirical and occasionally oddball lyrics and thematic choruses accompanied throughout by bass, drums and synths designed to get even the most jaded wallflower moving. Their newest release promises more of the same smart, danceable fun.

4) The Stooges, The Weirdness (March 20): Reunions of older bands, especially bands known for adolescent raunch and abandon, are rarely a good idea-but, in this case, Iggy Pop and company look poised to pull it off. A good portion of the original line up returns, including Pop on vocals, the Asheton brothers on drums and guitar and sax player Steve Mackay. Stepping in on bass for the deceased Dave Alexander is indie legend Mike Watt of the Minutemen. Produced by Steve Albini, the album is the first recorded by the group in more than 30 years. Based on the band’s strong live shows and the few songs available on their MySpace page, their new album looks like another meaningful contribution to the Stooge’s proto-punk canon.

5) Joss Stone, Introducing Joss Stone (March 20): Omnipresent at awards shows, this heralded English soul singer is one of the most interesting cases of identity displacement in modern pop. Simply put, she looks like a clean cut Janis Joplin and sings like Aretha Franklin. Her uniquely funky take on modern rock songs (most memorably her cover of The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love with a Girl”) in addition to her abilities as a songwriter make each release more captivating than the last. In addition to showcasing Stone’s development, her latest album features Common and the reclusive Lauryn Hill and was produced by Raphael Saadiq, who has worked with the Roots, D’Angelo and Macy Gray.

6) Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (March 20): Thanks to their peppy single “Float On” from 2004’s Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse was one of the few bands from the relatively recent indie explosion to receive airplay on pop stations. They return with another set of catchy tunes, if the bouncy lead single “Dashboard” is any indication. Fans of front man Isaac Brock’s intricate lyrics and searing vocals should expect more of the same, while musically, the new album features guitar playing from new recruit, and former Smith, Johnny Marr. Also look for guest vocals from James Mercer, the Shins’ lead singer, when this anticipated follow-up drops.

7) Timbaland, Shockvalue (March 27): Hot on the heels of two of last year’s most exciting albums (Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds and Nelly Furtado’s Loose) the all-star producer returns to his solo career. Expect top-tier beats and guest artists that run the gamut from the predictable (Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Timberlake and Furtado) to the bizarre (Elton John, Fall Out Boy and the Hives).