No Rock And Roll Fun

XRRF GOES QVC: This week's releases, then. Propaganda have a long-deserved best of (Outside World) debut, featuring remixes of most of their best cherished tracks; Sound of the Baskervilles is an attempt to freeze in time a 1995 gig from Thee Headcoats and Thee Headcoatees, the band who famously stole Th'Faith Healers extra 'e'; while from the big indie hitters, bothIdlewild's The Remote Part and The Flaming Lip's Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots battle it out for masterpiece of the week. The reaction to preview hearings of XRRF's nominal mentors Sleater-Kinney's new collection One Beat have been mixed, which is perhaps why the album hasn't yet appeared on available lists despite being scheduled for today - we'd recommend holding out for the Bonus Track version anyway. The acceptable face of rock is, this week, offered by Wilt with My Medicine. Moving back to reactivated material, Fall completists can top up their collection of mumbles and grumbles from Mark E Smith with the release of the Rough Trade singles box set, while those who prefer their miserabilst brow-beating to have a scouse flavour can get their kicks with the reactivated Comedy by Black, probably out again to fund Colin Vernacombe's n plus fifth attempt at a comeback. Though if he wants new shoes, he might hope that Cadburys bring back Strollers and the Wonderful Life themed ad. Visage by Visage and Suicidal Tendencies' Suicidal Tendencies make it a good week for self-titled returns, but the back catalogue gem this week is Let The Breeze Open Our Hearts, a gathering of 14 Iced Bears tracks. Brighton based and Sarah signed, 14 Iced Bears are the unacknowledged start of a lineage that today flows through the Tindersticks and Arab Strap. A must-have, really.

Singles see darlings of The New The scene go head to head, as the delayed Coral single Goodbye finally gets to say hello on the same day as The Crescent turn roundTest of Time. If you're picking up the Flaming Lips album, chances are you'll also slip Little Rhymes by Mercury Rev into your basket. Moodswings marks the start of the return of My Vitriol, bastard children of JJ72 and Muse, and the battle of the female soloists was supposed to pitch Beth Orton and Concrete Sky against Shakira's Underneath Your Clothes. Despite an almost inexpicable amount of support from the Guardian Media Group (covers of Weekend and the Observer Magazine?), Shakira backed down when her saucy tune had to face down Beth's breezy instant classic, complete with new Coke-ad style naked lady cover. Shakira is holding her fire until next week.