‘Call and Response: The Remix Album’ (Music)

With the exception of Andre 3000, an artist who, around the time of “Hey Ya,” name-checked the Smiths in interviews, mainstream hip-hop acts seem to have trouble judging the quality of rock music.

Many a crossover-seeking rapper has spoken fondly of groups such as Linkin Park and Nickleback, perhaps believing that any guitar band that has sold a lot of records is automatically good.

This phenomenon might explain “Call and Response,” a disc that finds hip-hop heavies such as Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze and Pharrell Williams remixing tunes by Maroon 5.

In fairness, of all today’s arena-rock bands, Maroon 5 is probably the best candidate for a hip-hop makeover. The group has always had neo-Michael Jackson aspirations, and in the hands of folks such as David Banner, its songs take on an adequate, if still somewhat bland, dance-floor bump. The real trouble is that few of the album’s participating producers go far enough in altering the original recordings. Most add muddy synth-bass and banging club beats, but the results sound pretty familiar.

‘Entertaining Simple’ (Books)

Matthew Mead’s book “Entertaining Simple” has it all. He starts out introducing you to serving items you should have in your kitchen and gives tips on how to present them in your pantry. He’ll also show you how to personalize your table, then gives suggestions for almost every kind of gathering, whether it’s just a few close friends or a larger crowd. Each party idea comes with advice on setting up, serving, decorating and, of course, a menu of simple dishes. Some of the dishes are more time-intensive than others — berries with yogurt and caramel versus herb-roasted chicken — but they’re all very simple.

This book would be a good gift for the perpetual hostess, or someone who aspires to be one. Mead is clever with his use of ribbon — around plain napkin holders, or creating table runners — and he suggests personalizing dishes with funny sayings or pictures, placed under the serving dish with vellum and double-stick tape.

“Mirrors”

Kiefer Sutherland started his seventh season last week playing Jack Bauer on “24,” battling terror with single-minded bravery, tolerance for pain and disregard for conventional morality

He takes on a new battle in the DVD release “Mirrors,” starring as a disgraced ex-cop whose new job as watchman at a defunct department store hurls him into a supernatural mystery as terrifying images in the building’s mirrors threaten his family. Along with the R-rated theatrical cut, the DVD and Blu-ray include an unrated extended version of the horror flick. Among other extras are an alternate ending, deleted footage accompanied by commentary with director Alexandre Aja and a few making-of segments. The Blu-ray release also has a digital copy of the movie for portable video players. DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray, $39.99.