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Entertainment & Arts

SMART LIST: Pop culture talking points (Week of August 19)

You should talk about: M.I.A. When we first heard M.I.A. in 2004, we couldn't believe our ears. Her music was so awesome and fresh and tough and fun. Now she's back with her second album, "Kala." It's a mishmash of styles, from Bollywood disco to a song that samples the Clash. As the music writer in the family put it, "She made the album she wanted to make." (Tuesday)

You should talk about: M.I.A. When we first heard M.I.A. in 2004, we couldn’t believe our ears. Her music was so awesome and fresh and tough and fun. Now she’s back with her second album, “Kala.” It’s a mishmash of styles, from Bollywood disco to a song that samples the Clash. As the music writer in the family put it, “She made the album she wanted to make.” (Tuesday)  (Steve C. Mitchell / EPA)

By Deborah Netburn
From M.I.A. and The Flaming Lips to “The Nanny Diaries” and “The Last Legion,” what will strike a cord?

Cover-19

We suggest you talk about: “Away: A Novel.” Back in college, we read a short story by Amy Bloom that sticks with us to this day. It was about a fat, mentally retarded girl with an incredible singing voice, and it was one of the most gorgeous pieces of writing we’d ever read. So when we saw she has a new book coming out we thought we should let you know. And our instincts appear to be right. Early reviews of this epic tale of a Jewish Russian immigrant declare, “It’s stunning.” (Tuesday)  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / LAT)

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Day 3

You might want to talk about: The Flaming Lips. This band from Oklahoma City may not be our most favorite band in the world….but then again, they might! Everything they do feels so unexpected and weirdly honest and of course, incredibly fun. This week they release “U.F.O.’s At the Zoo” a DVD of their 2006 hometown performance at an amphitheater in front of the Oklahoma City zoo. Like everything this band does, it’s probably worth checking out. (Tuesday)  (Jeff Gentner / Getty Images)

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