Fittingly enough, for her latest release, Rebirth, Jennifer Lopez looked to the past, bringing back folks who worked on her first album, On the 6.J. Lo's new album, her first since 2002's This Is Me ... Then, is largely a straight-up dance music effort with a few ballads thrown in for good measure. Rebirth also includes a collaboration with Fat Joe.Operating at a much lower energy level is the new album from Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams. The Hawaii resident and surf aficionado brought the island's laid-back vibe to the album with the inclusion of the slack guitar, and he added some pop inflections on tracks like the first single "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing." 

Quirky Russian songstress Regina Spektor releases her piano-driven Soviet Kitsch, while 21st-century prog-rockers the Mars Volta let loose their second album, Frances the Mute. 

Also hitting stores this week are albums by Doves (Some Cities); Amos Lee (Amos Lee); and Judas Priest (Angel of Retribution).

Meanwhile, one album that was slated to hit stores next week will arrive on shelves a few days ahead of schedule. 50 Cent's Massacre, originally set for a February 15 release, then a March 8 release, is actually coming out Thursday after being leaked onto the Internet and the streets. The album finds the rapper lashing out at Fat Joe, Nas, Kelis, Ja Rule and Shyne.