The Roots

A curious (and perhaps shameful) thing has happened since Madonna's single, "Four Minutes to Save the World," off her new album Hard Candy (due out today), hit the Internet almost two months ago. At the time, in this same space, I wrote, "fans could be forgiven for cringing a bit at Madge's cool-as-a-cucumber delivery being drowned out by the 'urban,' brassy hip-hop beats. Was it Mommy telling us to turn the music down?" But then something happened ... Several weeks later in a store, I found myself resisting the urge to tap my foot, to shake my hips and bop my head. What is this song?, I thought. It sounds ... familiar. Oh, no. It then hit me like a bass-heavy chorus: I liked "Four Minutes to Save the World." Damn you Madonna!  read more »

THEATER

Ernest Hemingway only wrote one play during this literary career: The Fifth Column, a Spanish Civil War-era drama of espionage and romace that he penned while covering the war in Madrid. The off-Broadway Mint Theater will be presenting the play starting Feb. 26, marking the production's first faithful performance on the stage. [On Sale Now!]

CONCERTS

If Colin Meloy's forthcoming EP of Sam Cooke covers is anywhere near as good as the EP of Morrissey covers he did a few years back, then you won't want to miss the Decemberists front man's April 16 and 17 shows at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. The EP will only be available on Mr. Meloy's spring tour, and like his Moz disc, it will probably sell out like hot cakes. [On Sale: Saturday, Feb. 9 at 12 p.m.]  read more »