5 Things You Need to Know About
By James Poniewozik, Andrea Sachs, Josh Tyrangiel
MUSIC Nas Untitled; out now This album's eagerness to please all constituencies--from the streets (N.I.*.*.E.R.) to the pop programmers (Hero)--ends up leaving everyone feeling a little played. But the piano-tinkling free-association opener is a crisp reminder of how good Nas can be when he's talking straight. C+
Sam Sparro Sam Sparro; out now Early Prince is the reference point on this Aussie's gospel electro-funk debut--at least on Black & Gold and 21st Century Life, naughty, hook-filled dance cuts with just enough wit to keep your brain engaged. But when the wit vanishes (as it does on Cottonmouth, the dumbest song ever written about pot), he sounds more like late Jamiroquai. Which is to say, ew. B-
DVDS Comedy Central's TV Funhouse Out July 22 This eight-episode kid-TV spoof from Robert Smigel (Saturday Night Live) confirms your darkest suspicions about animal puppet-show stars. Filled with satiric cartoons and tales of zoological lust and depravity, it's not suitable for kids (or PETA members), but it's disturbingly brilliant. A-
Saving Grace Season 1; out now Hard-living cop Grace Hanadarko (Holly Hunter) is on the road to self-destruction (and driving it drunk) when she gets a tough-love intervention from an actual angel. (He's saving Grace! Get it?) The tone is erratic and the crime stories tepid, but Hunter gives a heavenly performance. B-
BOOKS Letters to My Mother By Ingrid Betancourt; out now The publishing industry is betting on the dramatic rescue of political hostage Betancourt to yield a blockbuster or two. This slim volume, a missive discovered during the arrest of several Colombian guerrillas last year, is the beginning. Filled with love of family, God and country, it is the impassioned story of an older Anne Frank who retained her faith in humanity. A-