Features
Keeping Up (Vol. 32)
by Darren Paltrowitz
Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:
MUSIC: Big Star / Keep An Eye On The Sky – Big Star has led an interesting existence in being one of the most famous hit-less bands of all-time. Or perhaps as the least successful famous bands of all-time. Either way you choose to look at them, you probably know tracks like “In The Street” (theme of That 70’s Show), “Thirteen” (covered by everyone from Elliot Smith to Garbage), and “September Gurls” (covered by everyone from The Bangles to Superdrag). Keep An Eye On The Sky is a long-awaited four-disc box-set featuring the favorites along the demos, b-sides and rarities, which ought to please old fans and new listeners alike. (rhino.com)
BOOK: Chris Ayres / Death By Leisure – Chris Ayres first turned heads as an author when he wrote War Reporting For Cowards, a self-deprecating book about his short stint in Iraq. A follow-up of sorts, Death By Leisure finds Ayres having relocated to Los Angeles as a Hollywood-focused writer for a British newspaper. However, while trying to fulfill his journalistic responsibilities, he finds himself in a series of awkward relationships and professional setbacks. You, as a reader, wind up feeling really bad for the guy -- as you laugh at all of such -- but fortunately everything winds up well for him by book’s end. (chrisayres.net )
WEBSITE: JimCarrey.com – Most A-list actors and comedians aim for a private existence once off-camera. Not Jim Carrey, apparently. His website is probably like none you have seen before, as it is simultaneously scored, animated, and personalized as if you are in “Jim Carrey world” while you visit. If you have a slow computer (or web-browsing phone), at the very least you can read his posts on Twitter. (jimcarrey.com)
TOOL: I’m Not At Work – Similar to the Entertainment coupon book, I’m Not At Work is based upon a single-purchase membership. After spending $25 for a year -- or less, if there is a sale going on (which there is through December 31st) -- its subscribers are entitled to exclusive food and drink specials at an ever-growing list of New York City establishments. Plans are in place to expand the service to other cities, so stay tuned. (imnotatwork.com)
As always, if I’m missing something that’s worthwhile and deserving of column space, please reach out with an e-mail: darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.
In the meantime, stay tuned for another 5 picks...