Highly-anticipated albums by Beck, Rage Against the Machine, Korn and Dr. Dre flooded stores during the last quarter of 1999, causing the new must-have record to change nearly weekly.

Some, like Beck’s “Midnite Vultures,” proved to be truly innovative sonic adventures, while others, like the Stone Temple Pilots’ “Four,” were met with disappointment.

The high profile musical onslaught continues in early 2000, with new records from Oasis, the Cure and the Smashing Pumpkins. Some fairly heavyweight reissues will also find their way into stores in the New Year.

January

“The Screen Behind the Mirror”

Enigma

One of the pioneers of the early ’90s club sound, the one-man electronica act blended dance rhythms with Gregorian chanting, flutes and lutes. Best known for the chart-topping club hit “Sadeness” and the “Sliver” motion picture soundtrack contribution “Return to Innocence,” Enigma will be releasing its first album since 1996.

The record’s first single has received a strong response overseas, but it remains to be seen if the band can reclaim any sort of the early success they found in America. (Jan. 18)

Original album remastered reissues

The Clash

The widely-influential British punk band will be re-releasing all of their original records. (Jan. 18)

“Disco and the Halfway to Discontent”

Clinton

Featuring Cornershop members Tjinder Singh and Benedict Ayres, Clinton is an offshoot/ side project/ metamorphosis that mixes old-school hip-hop, funk and house music.

Clinton should be a band to watch, considering that Cornershop’s “When I Was Born for the Seventh Time” was one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of the ’90s. (Jan. 25)

“War & Peace Vol. 2: The Peace Disc”

Ice Cube

N.W.A. founding member and actor Ice Cube returned to the rap spotlight on Korn’s Family Values Tour. His new record completes his War & Peace epic, the follow-up to 1998’s War disc. (Jan. 25)

February

“Snoop Dogg presents Tha Eastsidaz”

Tha Eastsidaz

The debut from Tha Eastsidaz also serves as the first record to be released from Snoop Dogg’s recently-launched label, Dogghouse Records.

Snoop discovered rappers Tray Dee and Goldie Loc, signing them to his fledgling label. During the recording sessions for the album, Snoop blended so well with his newfound prot‚g‚s that he decided to join the group. The rapper-turned-producer’s stated intent is to begin a new rap empire, and he may do just that. (Feb. 1)

“Early Mornin’ Stoned Pimp”

Kid Rock

Whetting fans with the re-release of his 1996 album, the rap-rocker will be putting out an actual new record in late 2000. (Feb. 1)

“Both Sides Now”

Joni Mitchell

The iconic songwriter tackles standards by artists including Frank Sinatra and Billie Holliday, backed by a full orchestra. (Feb. 8)

“Crown Royal”

Run-D.M.C.

Guest artists that include Aerosmith, Beastie Boys and Fred Durst could help one of the dominant rap groups of the ’80s achieve a successful comeback. (Feb. 8)

“Blood Flowers”

The Cure

Robert Smith and the boys are back for what could be their last album. (Feb. 15)

“Get Some Go Again”

Rollins Band

Saving the former Black Flag vocalist from ending his music career prematurely, the band Mother Superior re-awakened Henry Rollins’ passion for hard rock.

They are now his new Rollins Band, creating hard rock music that is sure to be quite different from the current crop of Korn and Limp Bizkit clones. (Feb. 15)

“Suicide Machines”

Suicide Machines

The punk-ska band returns, following its politically infused sophomore release, “Battle Hymns.” (Feb. 15)

“Michael Hutchence”

Michael Hutchence

Solo tracks recorded by the INXS frontman prior to his death allow the INXS frontman’s legacy to live on. (Feb. 22)

“From There to Here”

John Osajzca

This much-hyped singer/songwriter (promos for his new record are even being run prior to movies in many theaters) has been compared to mix of Bob Dylan and Beck.

Whether or not it’s utter hyperbole, the album’s first track, “Back in 1999,” indicates that “From There to Here” will at least be worth a listen. (Feb. 22)

“Ain’t Life Grand?”

Slash’s Snakepit

Guns N’ Roses’ missing link, Slash, returns with his signature guitar sound. If only Axl rose was the vocalist—or maybe not. (Feb. 22)

“Standing on the Shoulder of Giants”

Oasis

Beatles comparisons abounded after the Oasis’ highly successful sophomore album was released.

The follow-up, “Be Here Now,” was noisy and did not show that the band had anything close to the depth of the four boys out of Liverpool.

The fourth studio release from the band could establish them as being worthy of the lofty comparison, or it could be the last gasp from a group known for its inner turmoil. (Feb. 29)

“Machina/ The Machines of God”

Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan’s sweeping, techno-infused “Adore” was largely ignored by fans who had grown up with a different Smashing Pumpkin. Corgan’s crooning on much of “Adore” was a far cry from the alternative classic “Today” or the arena-rock sound of “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.”

If the Billy-Corgan-does-Trent-Reznor sound of the new single, “The Everlasting Gaze,” is any indication of the rest of the album tracks, fans of the band’s harder, earlier material should be excited.

Lineup changes may also have something to do with the new sound, as former Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur has replaced D’Arcy, and former drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has rejoined the band. (Feb. 29)