Darren Paltrowitz

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader: MUSIC: Nirvana / Live At Reading – It almost goes without saying that a new Nirvana release is big news. In this case, Live At Reading is both a CD and DVD –- although available for purchase in either only formats -- spotlighting the band in concert at their arguable prime in 1992. Fans of drummer Dave Grohl also ought to be aware of the debut self-titled album of Them Crooked Vultures, a supergroup trio also featuring Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Queens Of The Stone Age…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Visqueen – Straddling the line between power-pop and punk-pop, Visqueen is a Seattle group that is heavy on hooks. Earning rave reviews from NPR, The Village Voice, and GNR bassist Duff McKagan alike, new album Message To Garcia has been making waves in spite of it being self-released on frontwoman Rachel Flotard’s Local 638 Records label. Fans of The Muffs, The Fastbacks and The Ramones ought to take notice. (visqueenonline.com)   BOOK: Paul Shaffer with David Ritz / We’ll Be Here For The Rest Of Our Lives – Paul…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Jupiter One – A recently discovery at a CMJ showcase, Jupiter One recently released Sunshower, their second full-length album on Rykodisc. Currently on tour with Regina Spektor, the Brooklyn-based group has previously had music featured in TV shows like Heroes and Kyle XY and video games including Madden NFL 08 and FIFA 09. Fans of Phoenix and MGMT ought to take note. (jupiterone.com)   BOOK: Daniel Coyle / The Talent Code – New York Times scribe Daniel Coyle’s new book The Talent Code aims to explain why greatness is…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: The Bird & The Bee – A duo comprised of Inara George and Greg Kurstin –- both veteran L.A. songwriters –- The Bird & The Bee serves up tropicalia-influenced electro-pop. First making waves with unique singles “Again & Again” and “Love Letter To Japan,” the group has an underground buzz going with its not-yet-released Hall & Oates covers disc. No, not kidding. No matter where you stand regarding Daryl Hall and John Oates’ legacy, this is some recommended listening. Fingers crossed it sees the light of day with a…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Father Dude – The brainchild of Harlem, New York-based Mitch Conwell, Father Dude is an R&B/soul throw-back -- but in an entirely fresh and exciting way. Sonically somewhere between Nick Ashford (of Ashford & Simpson fame) and Maxwell, Conwell fronts a four-piece band that can not only do funky, but also guitar-based heavy. Check out Father Dude’s website for tracks from the new EP, in addition to a cover of Edgar Winter’s “Dying To Live.” (fatherdude.com)   BOOK: Mike Sacks / And Here’s The Kicker – Subtitled “Conversations With…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Bird Of Youth – Fronted by noted music journalist Beth Wawerna, Brooklyn-based Bird Of Youth has come onto the New York scene strong. Produced by Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Bird Of Youth’s debut is full of interesting and soulful (yet laid-back) alt-country. Fans of Lucinda Williams ought to check out the brilliant album-opener “The Sound Of One Name Dropping.” (myspace.com/birdofyouthmusic)   BOOK: Geoff Colvin / Talent Is Overrated – Read regularly in Fortune Magazine and heard daily on CBS Radio, Geoff Colvin is known as an authority on…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader: MUSIC: As Tall As Lions / You Can't Take It With You – The band’s third full-length release, You Can’t Take It With You, finds New York-based As Tall As Lions creative as ever. Few tracks you’ve ever heard, if any, sound like the dynamics-heavy and string-enhanced album opener “Circles.” Altogether, the collection goes all over the map sonically and stylistically -– somewhere between Dredg, Radiohead and Death Cab For Cutie, perhaps -- yet is the group’s first to crack the Billboard Top 100. See ATAL on the road…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader: MUSIC: Maplewood / Yeti Boombox – Self-described as “canyon rock from Brooklyn,” Maplewood is a New York quartet comprised of members of Nada Surf, Champale and Koester. Their first new album in five years, Yeti Boombox, brings more of the familiar Bread and America-influenced sounds that fans heard on their debut. In fact, not only did America opt to cover Maplewood’s “Indian Summer” on their 2007 comeback album, but America’s Gerry Beckley can be heard on Yeti along with Sparklehorse’s Alan Weatherhead. A lot of name-checking, sure, but of…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents – Previously known for fronting The Downbeat 5 and The Dents, Jenny Dee is a Boston indie icon. Ditching her punk past for a “girl group” soul direction, her debut EP has already made waves in Spain, where her and band has already toured. Produced by Matt Beaudoin and Q Division’s Ed Valauskas, the recordings are sonically-fitting to tracks like “Let Me Go” and “Keeping Time,” which are presently posted for streaming on MySpace. (myspace.com/jennydeemusic) BOOK: Jerry Heller / Ruthless – Jerry Heller first…

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:MUSIC: Reel Big Fish – Few bands survive having a hit major label album, let alone lasting more than another decade beyond that. Reel Big Fish can not only be heralded for survivors in the music field, but for also remaining consistent as a good times party band. In fact, when seeing them live, even a casual music listener may actually realize they know a lot of songs that Aaron Barrett crew are performing. Presently on the road with the also-legendary Dave Wakeling-fronted The English Beat, Reel Big Fish is…