Rack And Opinion: Release Date 4.4.06

While we've already discussed some highlights in yesterday's Free Range Music, it's worth reiterating that this week's new release slate offers ample evidence that the post-SXSW lull is over and that the business of rock is now back in high gear. There are major releases from The Flaming Lips and Morrissey which will likely draw a fair amount of traffic to record shoppes. But our money this week will first be spent on Archie Bronson Outfit's latest and the new Concretes set. We've already been promo'd some of the best records of the week, which include Islands' Return To The Sea and Maritime's We, The Vehicles, which frees our dough up to spend elsewhere. New York represents with the new Rahim record, which we like a fair amount more than we did last year's Jungles EP. In short, there's a lot to choose from this week, whether it's breezy Target-ready girl pop (The Concretes) or the two-inches-deep-in-ale rock of Archie Bronson Outfit. All of our picks for the week are listed below. Links go to relevant commercial opportunities with our former scuba instructors over at Insound.

Archie Bronson Outfit -- Derdang Derdang -- Domino
The Concretes -- In Colour-- Astralwerks
The Flaming Lips -- At War With the Mystics -- Warner
Franz Ferdinand -- The Fallen -- Domino
Islands -- Return To The Sea -- Rough Trade
Maritime -- We, The Vehicles -- Flameshovel
Morrissey -- Ringleader of the Tormentors -- Attack/Sanctuary
Pants Yell! -- Recent Drama -- Asaurus
Rahim -- Ideal Lives -- French Kiss
Various Artists -- Hefty 10 Digest -- Hefty

Incidentally, this is clicky clicky's 300th post (including all iterations of clicky clicky at the blogspot site, not including earlier non-blogspot iterations dating back to the turn of the century or six very productive months at Junkmedia's World of Sound). Hooray for us!