Dr. Dog, Electric Fetus. Instead of playing for 15 minutes, the band did an amazing 10-song celebration for National Record Store Day. Plus, there were free grillables outside afterward. "ODDSCA," Cedar Cultural Center. While the Danny Perez/Animal Collective film could give anyone a seizure from all the flashing colors, it is worth checking out if you are a fan of artsy, B-reel horror visuals. A favorite of mine was the s'mores forest scene.

Dum Dum Girls, "I Will Be." This new girl garage band has been a favorite on my playlist. The heavy reverb evokes Jesus and Mary Chain, while the catchy bubblegum lyrics soften things up and seem slightly reminiscent of '50s doo-wop. Plus, there is an excellent Cher cover that will have you trying to harmonize in the kitchen over dirty dishes.

APRIL ROSENTRETER, MPLS.

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"American Idiot" on Broadway. The New York Times raved about this adaptation of the Green Day album, calling the musical "thrillingly raucous and gorgeously wrought." Charles Isherwood praised the "true rock opera" for being "as invigorating and ultimately as moving as anything I've seen on Broadway this season. Or maybe for a few seasons past."

Guru R.I.P. The rapper died of cancer at age 48. He is known for the hits "Mass Appeal" and "Ex Girl to Next Girl" with Gang Starr, but I admired his "Jazzamatazz" series, in which he did four albums of hip-hop/jazz/soul fusion with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Erykah Badu and Damian Marley.

"When That Rough God Goes Riding: Listening to Van Morrison" by Greil Marcus. As erudite and opinionated as Morrison is mercurial and expressive, Marcus analyzes select songs, looking for "the yarragh" in Van's voice. A bonus 10-song CD includes such rare recordings as "Just Like a Woman" from 1971.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE