We've got a typically eclectic batch of recommendations emanating from the editorial office today, beginning with a hot band (Cage the Elephant, pictured), a swashbuckling kid's game, a do-it-yourself dessert kit, a compelling motion picture about a strange time in American history, a delicious and meatless burger, some funky fizzy water and a favorite watering hole/lounge. Enjoy.

These are a few of our favorite things this week:

Cage the Elephant -- When my friend, Josh, returned from the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last week, I asked him "Which band blew you away?" He didn't hesitate to name Cage the Elephant, a group from Bowling Green, Ky., that produces sounds that drip with a British vibe. (Small wonder that the band is a huge hit in the U.K.) Imagine a slowed-down version of the Arctic Monkeys, crossed with a little White Stripes, some Jane's Addiction and maybe even a little Rolling Stones swagger and you'll get a pretty good idea of what this group is about. Better still, sample their wares on iTunes. Josh confirmed the buzz that these fellas, who played Chicago last week, are a tour de force in concert. Check out the album and don't be surprised to hear "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked" blaring from car stereos this summer. --Drew Olson

Stuffed 'shroom burger at AJ Bombers -- As a vegetarian, I've tried just about every non-meat concoction between buns on the planet. Some are better than others, but very rarely do I stop and say, "This is amazing." Well, today's lunch was one of those days. I treated myself to the new AJ Bombers' stuffed mushroom burger and it was unlike any "veggie burger" I've ever eaten. For starters, it's not exactly for calorie counters. It's a full portobello mushroom cap stuffed with a mix of Wisconsin cheddar and muenster cheese, then battered and fried to perfection. It's topped off with lettuce, tomato and Bomber sauce, which is orange and tangy. Pair it up with an order of sweet potato fries and I don't care if you're a strict carnivore, you're going to be impressed by this hearty "hamburger." Bobby Tanzilo can vouch for the classic beefy bomber (and especially the sweet potato chips). ajbombers.com--Julie Lawrence

Rival Gel Canister Ice Cream Maker -- I must say, as someone who's been eating ice cream for his whole life, I didn't realize how easy it was to make. I've always wanted an ice cream maker, really, but I finally broke down, went to Target and dropped a whopping $29 for a one-quart Rival Gel Canister electric model. Now that I've seen it in action, I'm amazed at how simple the process is. Basically, you freeze the container for a long time (12 hours or more). When you're ready, you dump in the ingredients, hit "on," and in about 40 minutes you have ice cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt. The technology is simple: the stirring paddle rubs your ingredients against the frozen wall of the bucket and gently aerates it into ice cream. It doesn't require any rock salt or other voodoo, just a properly frozen canister and a little bit of patience. I've only made a few batches so far, but I was most impressed with my mango-lime sorbet. This is way too cheap and easy, and I'm looking forward to trying new and exotic flavors. --Andy Tarnoff

Pirate-opoly -- This game is a similar to Monopoly, but -- as you may have guessed -- with a pirate theme. (No, not those AKM-toting Somalis, rather the peg-legged dudes with a patches over the eye). Pirate-opoly is somewhere between skill and luck, making it ideal for kids between 5 and 8. It's extremely interactive, requiring players to jump around, give each other "high hooks" and squawk like a parrot. My mom bought the game for us at The Funky Frog, 6241 S. 27th St., Greenfield. Finally, my kids found a board game that tossed Candyland overboard. --Molly Snyder Edler

"Frost/Nixon" -- Ron Howard created a solid film and a good history lesson. It not only re-creates the famous on-air interview between the former President and British celebrity journalist David Frost, but it takes you through weeks of around-the-world, behind-the-scenes maneuvering. At only 2 hours, it's a speedy journey and a very entertaining view. I was way too young to know what Nixon did or didn't do, but Frank Langella plays the President very well and Michael Sheen does Frost to a tee, too. --Jeff Sherman

 Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

Next >>

4 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by FunkyBrewster on May 4, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. (report)

Asbo4Life Goldie Lookin' Chains new one is droppin, there is a 5 song sampler torrent out there. Space Police & others are pretty cool and on their Myspace. Kind of sounds like PWEI. So if you wannabe "2009" there is that available. Woo Woo Woo?

Posted by girlina1970 on May 1, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. (report)

Goldie Lookin' Chain.....nice! Haven't thought of them in a LONG time. Beef curtains!

Posted by FunkyBrewster on April 30, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. (report)

Oh Em Gee! Cage The Elephant's Ain't No Rest For The Wicked sounds like they are going for that Kid Rock, Everlast, or Beck's Mellow Gold Loser vibe. That 1993 white boy soul rap on acoustic guitar crap! Then they do their imitation of the worst brit pop bands ever on Tiny Little Robots and Lotus. I thought everyone hated those bands like Jet? Then they almost sound like Oasis the band Jet was imitating on Back Against The Wall! I wish it never went into my ear but In One Ear did and its a song attacking the critics of their music! That is sad to have to have a song that defends your music before you even get big! I can't believe Coachella has crap like this now their old lineups looked like my record collection! Now they got these bands that sound like cover bands doing other peoples song styles? Did the Red Walls headline this year!? LOL! Without even attending I can easily say this is the worst band to have played Coachella. You heard it here first Ain't No Rest for the Wicked AIN'T NO RADIO HIT! I wish it WAS NO REST FOR THE WICKED I'd rather listen to that crappy Ozzy album instead! So if you like white boy soul raps over bad british pop jams or wanky wannabe white stripe riffs this is the band for you! But if not and you want to hear some good white boy raps go listen to Goldie Lookin' Chain--Straight Outta Newport! Oldie but Goldie! Or better yet just listen to the bands they are imitating Oasis, Jet, Sham 69, Beck, Kula Shaker etc. That's my recommendation! Don't try and be a hipster scenester and jump on fads and end up trend victims! Always stay out of the loop 2 years behind! Now, you can head over to yourscenesucks.com to see some of these fashion victims! (I wish I discovered this 2 years ago) I recommend checking out all the different type of scenesters, which are you? My favorite is the orgcore guy! I'm thinking of having my own made but it's expensive!

Posted by BVmom on April 30, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. (report)

I love the grapefruit LaCroix! It's even better mixed with a little gin.