New albums spring forth; ‘Snicket’ snip

What you should be talking about: New music from old friends. Even our pop critic Ann Powers couldn’t explain why there are so many albums actually worth buying being released this week (though she suspects that it could be because “many releases are timed to big tours and the spring touring season might be kicking people into gear”). Whatever the reason, we’re not complaining. Be on the lookout for new albums from: the Arctic Monkeys, Bill Callahan (formerly known as Smog), Dntel (the musical mastermind behind Postal Service), Charlotte Gainsbourg and, our personal hero, Mavis Staples (story on Page F1). We’re just another soldier in the army of love. (Tuesday)

What you may never be able to stop talking about: Daniel Handler’s alter ego. Under the nom de plume “Lemony Snicket,” Handler has seduced a generation of children with “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” his 13-volume saga of the terrible things that befall three young orphans. The series ended last year, but Snicket lives on. This week brings the release of “Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can’t Avoid.” According to the press materials, it offers “a selection of alarming but inescapable truths from the work of Lemony Snicket.” Milk it for all it’s worth, Handler! (Tuesday)

What you might want to talk about: The queen. We watched Helen Mirren’s performance during Oscar season very closely. Admittedly, we never got around to watching her actual performance in “The Queen,” which led to her winning every award in town. This week, we get a second chance as the film comes out on DVD. (Tuesday)

What you might marvel about: The great Cage takeover. Ryan Seacrest’s title as the hardest-working man in Hollywood may soon belong to Nicolas Cage. We’re not even halfway through 2007 and he’s already been in two films (“Ghost Rider” and a cameo in “Grindhouse”), and this week he stars in “Next” -- a thriller with the always luminous Julianne Moore. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com), he still has two films coming out this year. And in 2008? Five! Watch your back, Seacrest. (Friday)

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-- DEBORAH NETBURN