The Mix Tape

Bob Dylan’s
‘Christmas in the Heart’

We were pretty sure by now that Bob Dylan couldn’t get any weirder. Then he went and released this tidy, over-chipper collection of Christmas classics and rarities on “Christmas in the Heart.” Sometimes we really wonder what is going through Dylan’s head in his older age, but “Heart” is surprisingly entertaining and deft in style. Dylan doesn’t just give these songs a reimagining but gives them a fresh new look from his perspective. Songs covered include “Winter Wonderland,” “The First Noel” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” For some extra Dylan wackiness check out the video for “Must Be Santa” which features Dylan in a blond wig stumbling drunkenly around what appears to be a holiday party. Seriously.

‘This American Life’
podcast

Ira Glass has a way with words and people. There is something captivating about the way he weaves tales around people on the famed NPR program “This American Life.” Every week Glass takes a different subject or theme and brackets it with stories from real people. His interviewing style wraps around the personalities of these everyday people and makes them interesting. Suddenly stories about run-ins with the police or televangelists become engrossing tomes on the American psyche. While “This American Life” can be heard on NPR, the podcast of the show is available on iTunes.

Grecian Gardens

It’s a hidden Columbia treasure but this delicious Greek restaurant is worth the trip up Sunset Boulevard. Quaint in its décor but elaborate in the gastronomical department, Grecian Gardens features family style portions of a number of Greek and American classics. A Greek salad that could feed a herd of rabbits and a gargantuan Feta cheese pizza are worth the trip alone. The Mix recommends the Veal Parmesan or the roasted chicken if you’re not interested in the pizza. But seriously, go for the pizza. Grecian Gardens is located at 2312 Sunset Blvd.

Tom Waits’
‘Glitter and Doom Live’

The twisted troubadour with the voice like gravel and whiskey has retuned to the stage for a live album. Collected from his roundabout world tour last year, “Glitter and Doom Live” covers a retrospective of Tom Waits’ career. Winding through each of his albums up to the opus “Orphans,” the album features songs “Singapore,” “Trampled Rose” and “Goin’ Out West.” Collected from performances from Dublin, Paris, Atlanta and others. The album also comes with an extra disk compiling Waits’ ruminations from the stage.

Bored to Death

We’re a little late jumping on this bandwagon since the season already ended, but HBO’s Jason Schwartzman-led comedy is too good to resist. Following the adventures of a writer-turned-private detective Jonathan Ames and based on the writing of real author Jonathan Ames, the show’s acerbic humor and irreverence is palpable. This isn’t necessarily the gross out humor of frat pack movies like “The Hangover,” but with a cast featuring Ted Danson as Ames’ pot smoking boss, the wit is surely there. Look for repeats of the show on HBO over the next year to prepare for season two, which was recently picked up.
 

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