A longstanding desire to sell Jay-Z/Kanye-type numbers has finally driven Common into the arms of hitmaker Pharrell Williams and his Neptunes production team. "Universal Mind Control (UMC)" is clearly an attempt to move some units, and it might, on the strength of the Pharrell association, but it's handily Common's worst album, as he trades his more-organic neo-soul sound for, well, largely subpar Neptunes tracks and drops some serious lyrical clunkers.

Paintball has been hugely popular in the major metro areas and along both coasts, and in recent years, it has surpassed snowboarding as the nation’s fastest-growing sport. And it's more than just heading out to the woods and running around.

Featuring professional and professionally trained singers, Heartland Voices will present its “Home Is Where the Heart Is” concert series, mixing traditional carols with classical, religious and humorous holiday pieces. The program includes an audience sing-along and ends with Donald Fraser’s “This Christmastide.” A family matinee also is offered.

"Around the World," released in late November on the flourishing Nacional Records label, offers a collection of a Latin tributes to classic club anthems – The Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams,” Daft Punk’s “Around the World,” and Prince’s “Kiss.” Surprisingly, this record is far from gimmicky.

Musical magic is in the air as the Fox Valley Philharmonic orchestra prepares to present “Happy Holidays to All!,” joined by 40 vocalists. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Hawks Auditorium at East Aurora High School, 779 Fifth Ave.

Executive Director Jamie Palmer of Batavia said the program will include works for orchestra and chorus such as “White Christmas,” “Christmas Festival” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

We all have our favorite Christmas music. This holiday, The Brian Setzer Orchestra offers to keep your holiday rockin' with their holiday CD, "Christmas Rocks: The Best Of Collection."

I don't like to generally blog about myself in this column, but I had an interesting thing happen to me over the weekend. I was approached, after three years out of the wrestling business, to be a part of a new promotion.

The 4-CD “The Soul of Rock And Roll” is an almost overwhelming collection that spans Roy Orbison’s career — including hits, b-sides, soundtrack work and unreleased tracks — in fine fashion.

Dubbed “America’s Orchestra,” the Boston Pops is especially beloved during the holidays, when it performs many of the traditional songs to which people attach fond memories with the holiday season.

From the land down under to San Francisco, and a Christmas movie, too.

The indie rock collective Ra Ra Riot, described as the next Arcade Fire due to their use of the unconventional instrumentation found in many indie rock bands, met in 2006 at Syracuse University.

A month-long exhibit in black-and-white abstract style by artist Rachel Dora-Ann of Berwyn will open Saturday, Dec. 6.

She has titled the exhibit “Through the Eyes,” showcasing her “Double Negative” series. An opening day reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Black Box Diamond gallery, 1756 W. Algonquin Road, Hoffman Estates.

Preps, gangstas, anime kids, scenesters, bohemians, geeks — what do they all have in common? In the Noble Fool Theatricals Youth Ensemble production of “Godspell,” they all come together in an alley setting to relate Jesus’ parables. The six groups comprised of 38 local kids and teens from across the suburbs are taking the stage at Pheasant Run Resort for four weekends beginning Saturday, Nov. 29.

Sure, stories about aging, death, failed marriages and disgraced presidencies are the last thing you want to see when you’re struggling to keep food on the table. But when it’s this good, it’s worthwhile to give art a chance this holiday season.

Interview with James Franco, co-star of Gus Van Sant's "Milk."