New releases - June 23

Some weeks it seems like there's a shortage of noteworthy new music releases to check out. This isn't one of those weeks. From classic rock to singer-songwriter to prog rock, there's a wide selection of new releases out for every sort of rock fan this Tuesday. Here's a rundown of the highlights:

Regina Spektor - Far - Spektor's fifth studio album and the follow-up to 2006's Begin to Hope, which brought the Moscow-born singer-songwriter mainstream attention via widely-played songs such as "Fidelity," "Better" and "Samson." The new record features lead-off single "Laughing With" and production by Garret Lee (R.E.M.), David Kahne (Paul McCartney), Mike Elizondo (Eminem) and Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra).

Cheap Trick - The Latest - Illinois' own classic rock/power pop heroes deliver their first new collection of material since 2006's Rockford. The CD includes 13 tracks, including a cover of Slade's "When the Lights are Out," and is also available in limited editions on vinyl and 8-Track. The band will tour the album as part of a 40-city stint with Def Leppard and Poison, including a local stop at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater on July 17.

Pete Yorn - Back and Fourth - The alt-rock singer-songwriter is back with his fourth LP, including lead single "Don't Wanna Cry." He'll kick off a two-month North American tour in July, stopping in Chicago for gigs August 3rd and 4th at Park West. Yorn is also set to release an album of duets with Scarlett Johansson, Break Up, in September.

The Mars Volta - Octahedron - The fifth studio album from the experimental prog-rockers, following 2008's The Bedlam in Goliath.

Tortoise - Beacons of Ancestorship - Since forming in 1990, these locals have garnered a dedicated following with their experimental, "post-rock" style. Their new album is their first collection of new, original material in over five years. The band is set to play Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park on July 17.

Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings - The 10th album from the Long Island-based prog-metal band, available as a standard CD, vinyl LP, or three-disc special edition. They are set to come to town August 23 for a show at the Chicago Theater.

The Lemonheads - Varshons - An album of covers from Evan Dando and company, with 11 takes on songs from a diverse (and often unlikely) list of artists such as G.G. Allin, Leonard Cohen, Wire and Christina Aguilera. The record features guest performances from Liv Tyler and Kate Moss, and was produced by Butthole Surfers front man Gibby Haynes.

Dinosaur Jr. - Farm - The influential alternative rock act's ninth LP follows 2007's Beyond, which was their first collection of new material in over a decade. The full album is currently streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day - The sophomore album from this Providence-based four-piece, mixing straight-ahead rock with elements of Americana/alt-folk. The band is set to play the Empty Bottle July 15.

R.E.M. - Reckoning (Reissue) - An expanded reissue of the band's sophomore album, following up last year’s “25th anniversary” edition release of their 1983 debut LP, Murmur. The re-release of the album - which includes classic tracks such as “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry),” “Pretty Persuasion” and “Don’t Go Back To (Rockville) – is remastered and include a bonus disc featuring a previously unreleased concert recorded during the band’s "Little America" tour at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on July 7, 1984. Click here for additional details.