1 Finally, slow-lurching zombies are back. No more of these Olympic-sprinting zombies from movies like "28 Days Later" and "Zombieland." Not only does AMC's new Sunday series, "The Walking Dead," live up to its name but it takes the drama of a zombie apocalypse seriously. Yes, it contains enough gruesome bloodletting and head-exploding action to make George Romero proud. But it's also a slow-burning, brooding piece of character-driven television. And that's why it's going to last.
3 A couple of English professors from University of Colorado and University of Toronto have put together "The Anthology of Rap," an eye-opening 864-page compilation of lyrics by some of the best known rappers, from Afrika Bambaataa to Young Jeezy. Minnesota is represented by Atmosphere, Brother Ali and Eyedea & Abilities. There are mini-bios of the MCs and explanations of their styles but no intellectual analysis of the words. Just straight rhymes, homey. Yale University Press, $35
2 Lucy Michelle wrote the sweet little gem "St. Paul" for the latest album ("Good of That") by her ukulele-led gypsy-folk band the Velvet Lapelles. The song is actually more an ode to the summers of childhood than any kind of overt homage to the warbly voiced singer's hometown. But its references to skinned knees and falling asleep in the sun could evoke warm memories of anybody's hometown.
4 What makes cultural critic Greil Marcus' "Bob Dylan: Writings 1968-2010" so rewarding is not just the combination of his passion and erudition but the fact that this anthology collects articles and essays of varying lengths, tone and approach. And how can you argue with the usually professorial Marcus' explanation of his Dylan obsession: "I don't think about it, I just do it, or rather can't help it." That's so rock 'n' roll. Public Affairs, $29.95
5 Self-proclaimed "curry diva" Heather Jansz -- co-owner of the former Curry Leaf Deli and the Sri Lanka Curry House -- is back behind the stove, though only one night a week. On Mondays from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Highland Grill in St. Paul, Jansz "cooks whatever she wants," explains co-owner David Burley. One recent Monday that meant an extraordinary combo platter of spice-perfumed chicken, curried potatoes, collard greens tossed with coconut, a colorful sweet potato-yam chutney and a searingly hot habañero sambal. www.highlandgrill.com.
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