Fathers Day is right around the corner. If you haven't found the right gift for that special Dad in your life, read on for a few ideas.
And dads ... if Junior or the Mrs. ends up getting you yet another ugly tie or pack of unnecessary socks, perhaps you'll find something here that's more your style.
"The Man Who Fights Himself" by The Figgs -- Every couple years, The Figgs put out a CD and I say to myself "Man, I really like this." I play it a bunch of times, then go back and play some of the older stuff and remember why I like this trio of high school buddies from Saratoga, N.Y, who spend a fair chunk of time moonlighting as Graham Parker's backing group. Then, just when I'm on the brink of forgetting about the Figgs, out comes another record. This one features a lot of sugary vocals from bass player Pete Donnelly and a confident cohesion honed over years of being a standout bar band. Cubs television announcer Len Kasper, who is also a Figgs devotee, told me last week that he thinks this might be the group's best effort. He might be right, but Figgs fans seem to say that with every new release, which I guess is the point. Check out the opening track "Gone Spent," and you'll be hooked. -- Drew Olson
Adidas original Rod Laver tennis shoes -- First developed in 1970 with the cooperation of tennis great Rod Laver, these shoes are super cool. Lightweight, breathable and stylish with their signature green or black toes and backs they are perfect for lounging or walking. Oddly, though, the soles are somewhat slippery until they are worked in so if you're buying them for tennis make sure you work them in well. For play or leisure, at about $50, they're an old school favorite. -- Jeff Sherman
Holy Land Hummus -- Recently, a friend turned me onto Holy Land Hummus, a flavorful Middle Eastern spread that's made in Minneapolis. The hummus is available in 14 different flavors, including a delicious artichoke-garlic and spinach variety, and it's sold at Outpost Natural Foods. Holy Land is a popular restaurant and bakery in northeast Minneapolis, and the family-owned operation opened the state's first hummus factory last September. If you like your chickpea dip creamy smooth -- as opposed to other brands which are a bit grainier -- give Holy Land a taste. Pick up a pack of Holy Land pitas while you're at it. -- Molly Snyder
Burning Spear -- Marcus Garvey/Garvey's Ghost (Island) -- It's been a quarter century since these two classic reggae companions were paired up on a single CD. This new edition reminds us why they are so enduring in the pantheon of '70s roots reggae. The former was Burning Spear's breakthrough record and the pinnacle of his dark, rootsy rhythms wedded to lyrics celebrating the eponymous Jamaican hero. "Garvey's Ghost" was, in turn, one of the first instrumental dub records to gain international acclaim and is also notable for having been mixed in London -- not Kingston -- by Britons John Burns and Dick Cuthell (yes, the one who played trumpet on early Specials records). This new version has a great essay by David Katz and new artwork. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Scosche flipSYNC -- I can hear people screaming right now "enough, OnMilwaukee.com ... we get it, you like the iPhone," but really, this one is a no-brainer. If you're an iPhone user and anything like me, you are regularly looking for a sync/charge cable. Last week, I recommended a terrific extra battery pack but the flipSYNC is the perfect solution. No bigger than a regular key fob, the flipSYNC attaches to your keychain and is always handy when you need to charge up, transfer files or add new music. At $20, it's a little pricier than most sync cables but most sync cables can't attach to your keychain and go wherever you do. There's a version available for Blackberrys or other USB 2.0 devices, too. -- Andrew Wagner
