Darren Paltrowitz

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Mike Viola and Kelly Jones / Melon – In an age when most artists think economically, it is rare for artists to go “deluxe” on a creative project. In mid-2010, Mike Viola and Kelly Jones –- two renowned songwriters based in L.A. with roots in New York –- opted to record a vinyl-only, live-in-the-studio, acoustic. Now, Melon can be found on iTunes and Amazon MP3. “Steal Your Heart Away” (a Fleetwood Mac cover) and “There Goes My Baby” (a re-working of an earlier Viola-produced Jones recording) must be heard.…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Hooray For Earth / Momo – Hooray For Earth has been renowned for distorted guitar sounds and gloomy lyrics going above layered melodic vocals. The Boston-rooted, New York City-based delivers a somewhat-new style their Momo EP, bringing more atmospheric keyboards and sounds into the mix. Prepare to be blown away by the anthemic (and optimistic) one-two punch that is “Surrounded By Your Friends” and “Comfortable, Comparable.” (hoorayforearth.net) BOOK: Jerry Weintraub / When I Stop Talking You’ll Know I’m Dead – Jerry Weintraub has had many roles in the entertainment…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Gary Numan – Although he is primarily known for hits like “Cars” and “Down In The Park,” Gary Numan has long been renowned by music die-hards for being a pioneer of the synthesizer. Thus, Numan’s music has been covered by a wide range of artists from the Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails to Armand Van Helden and Basement Jaxx. At a recent New York City show at the Best Buy Theater, Numan flawlessly played his landmark album The Pleasure Principle in its entirety with a five-piece band backing…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: X JAPAN – With a record-breaking 18 sell-outs of the 50,000-capacity Tokyo Dome to their credit, X JAPAN is arguably the most successful rock band in the history of Japan. Most artists would be content to relish in their domestic success, yet X JAPAN opted for their first U.S. tour this year, 28 years after their formation. Led by flamboyant drummer/pianist/composer Yoshiki, the group brought their full-scale production to the States, presenting it in front of a surprisingly-capacity crowd at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom. Given X JAPAN’s recent…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: The Madison Square Gardeners / Taste The Thunder – Arguably my new favorite New York City band, The Madison Square Gardeners are a six-piece alt-country combo that may remind you of both Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Replacements. A collective of scene veterans, all of the Gardeners are professional sidemen, having played with everyone from The New York Dolls and Ben Kweller to Dar Williams and Roseanne Cash. Although there are three songwriters and lead vocalists in the fold, all of the songs on Taste The Thunder…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Robert Pollard / Elephant Jokes – Best known as the frontman and songwriter of Guided By Voices, Robert “Bob” Pollard is as prolific as rock & roll musicians come. However, Pollard also rarely opts to promote his releases. As a result, after recently discovering his July 2009 Elephant Jokes album, I also learned that he has since released an album with Boston Spaceships and another solo release titled We All Got Out Of The Army. In any case, Elephant Jokes brings more of the Who-inspired guitar-rock that GBV fans…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader: MUSIC: Screaming Females – Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Screaming Females are a rock trio making waves nationwide less than 5 years after forming. Recently seen as a headliner of the Don Giovanni Records showcase at the Bowery Ballroom, the Females have come a long way since their basement scene origins. The latest release of the Marissa Paternoster-fronted group, Power Move, is their third full-length collection of punk-influenced indie-rock. Check out the video of first single, “Bell,” on YouTube. (screamingfemales.com) BOOK: Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres / I Am…

Here are some more quick picks for you, the loyal reader:BOOK: Charlie Murphy with Chris Millis / The Making Of A Stand-Up Guy – As Charlie Murphy was best known as “Eddie Murphy’s brother” up until a few years ago, not everyone realizes his successes as a screenwriter, director, producer, actor, and musician. Stand-up comedy was something he began performing after his success on Chappelle’s Show, and this book largely focuses Murphy’s journey into the stand-up world. Along the way, readers are treated to tales from Murphy’s Long Island childhood, time in prison, and military service, in addition to some…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader: MUSIC: Cheap Trick / Sgt. Pepper Live – Original lineup still intact, Cheap Trick remains as revered and legendary as ever. In addition to releasing recent studio album The Latest, the quartet took on a Las Vegas Hilton residency in which they performed The Beatles’ classic Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band. As the title of this release would imply, this is a live recording of that entire classic album, giving listeners exactly what they would expect. (cheaptrick.com)   BOOK: Michael J. Kitson & Bob Calandra / How To…

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…