What the fuck is a Mylo Xyloto? Hell, if I know. What I do know is that it’s the title of Coldplay’s fifth album, and it hits stores (physical and digital) today. Chris Martin and company just might be the hottest rock band in the country right now, and this is looking like a major show and prove moment for them, especially seeing as reviews have been pretty bad and neither “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” or “Paradise” has proven to be a hit on the scale of, say, “Clocks” or “Viva La Vida”. Will Apple’s dad suffer his first dud? I guess we’ll see how faithful Coldplay’s fan base really is.

It’s been almost a decade since Kelly Clarkson was coronated as the original queen of “American Idol”. She’s outlasted just about every show champ since (with only Carrie Underwood and Fantasia holding tough). She’s also become the Queen of angsty pop girls that have outgrown Hayley Williams and Amy Lee (just barely). She’s on her fifth album, too, and she’s calling it Stronger. This album’s release just underlines my confusion about superstar albums released on the same day. I mean, a #1 album is pretty important for a record, right? No matter whether Coldplay or Clarkson makes it to the top next week (my money’s definitely on Coldplay), the album that debuts under it will most likely be seen as a flop. Had either album come out the week before, it would have a fairly clear shot to the top. Not saying that there should only be one “superstar” level album out per week, but how about spreading the wealth a little? It would probably make the artists (not to mention the fans, especially in this economy) happy.

Beyond Coldplay and Clarkson, this week beings forth a series of interesting releases. The legendary Brian Wilson has gone Disney. In the Key of Disney is the latest effort from the Beach Boy, and it’s only available through amazon.com. Hey, I have a lot of respect for Brian Wilson, but I don’t think hearing him sing “Whistle While You Work” or “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (that’s the title, right?) is necessarily gonna lift my skirt. Let’s call this one a pass. He’s joined on the release schedule by French post-disco duo Justice. Most famous so far for their worldwide hit “D.A.N.C.E.” (the video for which was the subject of one of Kanye West’s many award show meltdowns), their second album is called Audio, Video, Disco, and we reviewed it last week? Hope ya checked it out!

It’s been 20 years since Nate, Mike, Shawn and Wanya appeared on the scene as Boyz II Men, believe it or not. Minus one Mike , the best selling R&B group in history returns with Twenty, an album that also includes a disc of re-recorded BIIM classics.

This is a pretty good week if you’re of an “indie” bent, as there are releases from new buzz band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (hell, I like the name), New England rootsy rockers Deer Tick (hose alcohol-fueled shows are the stuff of legend) and iconic folk/rock singer-songwriter Tom Waits. The gravelly voiced troubadour (and recent inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)’s new album is entitled Bad As Me.

Elsewhere on the list, Jedi Mind Tricks have a new one out (if you like your hip-hop offensive), there’s a new album from Toby Keith (if you like your country music performers offensive), and in the just plain offensive category, the Christmas albums are starting to roll off the presses. One of the people you’d certainly expect to jump onto the holiday train is Michael Buble-I’m actually surprised it’s taken him this long. The Canadian crooner-political correctness be damned-is calling his album Christmas, and I’m sure that the 40-and-up crowd will be snatching this bad boy up with a VENGEANCE. Want something a little more frightening? Scott Weiland has a Christmas album out as well. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is the title, and while I have no desire to hear even 5 seconds of what promises to be a hot mess, I am curious to know how many substances he was using when he came up with the idea to make this record. What’s next-a collection of Easter favorites from Chris Cornell? Let me stop-he might use that idea.

Y’all know the routine. For a comprehensive list of this week’s releases, make sure you’re checking out my folks at Pause and Play.