TOP PICK
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
(Rockstar)
The Grand Theft Auto franchise comes to the Nintendo DS in
all of its head-blasting, bitch-slapping glory. The game play is
basically the same (you tussle with cops, you steal cars, you put caps
in the asses of anyone who gets in your way), only it’s set in
Chinatown this time. It’s one of the most adult videogames ever made
for the DS … and one of the best.
CD
Amadou & Mariam:
Welcome to Mali
(Because/Nonesuch)
This African couple’s follow-up to their 2005 breakthrough follows a
similar pattern: sprightly played Afro-pop, gorgeous singing and punchy
production. Welcome to Mali
isn’t as raw as its predecessor, but the melodies are more focused
and the songs are more buoyant. It’s a musical voyage that takes them
from Paris to London to back home again.
VIDEO
Bolt
(Walt Disney)
This animated hit about a pampered Hollywood dog who gets lost on
the mean streets of New York has a breakout star in Rhino, a hamster
with a plastic ball that serves as a home, vehicle and weapon. Best of
all, the three-disc Blu-ray set comes with a DVD copy and a digital
version of the movie you can throw on your iPod.
DVD
Fountains of Wayne:
No Better Place – Live in Chicago
(Shout! Factory)
These power-poppers had a fluke hit a few years back with “Stacy’s
Mom.” But there’s so much more to them than that, as this 2005 concert
proves. Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood are two of the sharpest
and wittiest songwriters working today. Plus, songs like “Hackensack,”
“Hey Julie” and “Radiation Vibe” have hooks to spare.
VIDEOGAME
Trivial Pursuit
(EA Play)
The ’80s board game gets a 21st century makeover in this fun outing
for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. You can play by yourself, but
you’ll enjoy the game tons more when you clobber opponents in classic
categories like history, entertainment and sports. And unlike the
old-school version, “Ralph Kramden” isn’t the answer to every other
question.
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2009.