Idolator

Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator's weekly look at the new releases hitting stores on Tuesday morning. Gwen Stefani's first post-baby album comes out tomorrow, as does the Eminem-led compilation The Re-Up; after the jump, we look at new albums from Ciara and Brian McKnight, as well as the soundtracks for Dreamgirls and The OC.

Ciara, Ciara: The Evolution
The artist: Dance-music darling who Lil' Jon christened "the first lady of crunk n' B."
The sound: Club-floor burners, with the occasional slow jam sprinkled in between Chamillionaire and 50 Cent cameos.
The first in line: Aerobicizers looking for a new workout soundtrack.

Brian McKnight, 10
The artist: Soul stalwart celebrating his 15th year in the business.
The sound: Late-night lover's rock—capped by a soldier's-story song that enlists country powerhouse Rascal Flatts.
The first in line: Ladies whose torch for McKnight has only grown brighter with age.

Various artists, Dreamgirls
The artists: A couple of R & B's marquee names (Beyonce, Jamie Foxx)—and the much-buzzed-about Idol cast-off Jennifer Hudson.
The sound: Motown gets the Broadway treatment.
The first in line: Idol completists, Beyonce fans, musical theater nerds.

Various artists, The OC Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks
The artists : Buzz bands of weeks past, including Pinback, Mates of State, and Rogue Wave.
The sound: Faithful updates to indie-kid classics like "Debaser" and "Pretty Vacant."
The first in line: Faithful indie-yuppies who haven't already cherry-picked their favorite covers from the filesharing wilds.

On The CD Front [Pause & Play]