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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 6, 2008

ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
What's hot, what's not — your guide to life in '08

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chingy offers a dozen lean tracks in a new album.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Chesher and her Jim Croce portrait.

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WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?

Jahson the 45 Revolver, resident at Indigo’s Get Fresh, Fridays

1. “Kingston Town,” Alborosie

2. “Ghetto Life,” Pressure

3. “Love & Affection,” Wayne Wonder

4. “She’s Royal,” Taurus Riley

5. “Crazy Talk,” Buju Banton

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What's this optimistic-looking New Year's message we're being handed under the stall? Why it's The List, of course, jotted down on several yards of squeezably soft Charmin! Check out what's in — and so out — this year.

— Hank Stuever, Washington Post



RELEASES



CHINGY'S LATEST

You have to admire the confidence of an artist who would hand reviewers a Louisville Slugger of an album title like "Hate It Or Love It" — just as you have to give some respect to Chingy, a guy who has turned one huge hit — 2003's "Right Thurr" — into a career.

Now that he's back with Ludacris' imprint, Chingy sounds reinvigorated, turning in a dozen lean tracks that includes the best single — the synth-happy "Gimme Dat" — he's had since his signature smash. That's not to suggest the album doesn't give the haters something, too — its wide-open spaces tend to highlight his lyrical shortcomings. "Spend Some $" might be a message good for the economy, but it adds nothing to hip-hop.

— Dan LeRoy, Hartford (Conn.) Courant



STARS RESURRECTED

Deborah Chesher was sorting old negatives one day when a thought crossed the photographer's mind about how young and alive all of the guitar gods of her youth had been, quickly followed by the realization that many of them were now dead.

She brought that into focus in the coffee-table book "Everybody I Shot Is Dead." The 208-page volume, with black and white and color photos, celebrates the joyous, often unguarded, moments of some of rock music's biggest stars.

Also chronicled are some of the legendary excesses that led Harry Nilsson, the Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson, T Rex's Marc Bolan and scores of others to early exits.

— John Rogers, Associated Press



SALES, BARGAINS

  • The boutique Artlines — crammed with ethnic jewelry and exotica from the world over — will close its doors at the end of this month. Go now to score great bargains, as all prices have been slashed in half! Ala Moana Center, 941-1445; through Jan. 31.

  • Trendy scores are to be had at Arden B. Buy two items and get the third free, with prices already marked up to 75 percent off retail. Suggestions: Nab a sequin tank for $17. It's a great look under your work suit or to go out dancing in, now that the relatives have left town after holiday festivities. Ala Moana Center; 947-1230.

  • Find inspiration from the many books at Borders Books and Music to help you get off the couch. Santa may not have realized that scrapbooking wasn't in your repertoire, so find what you want, what you really really want — like "O's Guide to Life: The Best of O, the Oprah Magazine" (Oxmoor House). Buy one item, get another half off. Ward Centre; 591-8995.

  • Now that you're off the couch, is that overstuffed plaid sofa not looking so up-to-date? Renew and reuse by scouting for vintage furniture pieces at The Salvation Army thrift stores. One especially thrifty — and stylish — strategy: rehab a rattan settee by switching out the cushions, either splurging on made-to-order replacement cushions, or finding the fabric you want and making it a do-it-yourself project. Several O'ahu locations; go to www.satruck.com/FindStore.aspx to find the one nearest you.

    — Pualana Lemelle



    HIP STUFF



    HELLO KITTY GETS HUMANE

    The Hawaiian Humane Society takes in lost cats and offers puppies for adoption — and the organization can always use more help. Enter Sanrio Surprises, which has teamed with the Humane Society to sell T-shirts with graphics of Hello Kitty and Pocchaco as a fun-loving fundraising effort; $20 for adult sizes and $17 for kids.

    The tees and proceeds are donated by franchise owner Benjamin Chow and wife Sharon — both animal lovers and society supporters. "I love Hello Kitty, it's what we grew up with," enthuses Gina Baurile of the Humane Society. The limited-edition tees can be found in Sanrio Surprises stores at Kahala Mall and Pearlridge Center, and at the Hawaiian Humane Society office, 2700 Wai'alae Ave. For more information on the Hawaiian Humane Society, go to www.hawaiianhumane.org.

    — Lacy Matsumoto

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