It’s impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to the Magic Kids’ first LP, “Memphis”. I’ve tried, too. Even at my crankiest, something about the Magic Kids makes me soften like butter in a microwave.

“Memphis” is 37 minutes of ridiculously catchy 1960s-inspired boy-meets-girl pop songs. While the instrumentation and vocals are clearly inspired by Brian Wilson and Phil Spector, there’s nothing dated about the record.

Though the record is called “Memphis”, it’s different than anything else coming out of the city. The songs are feathery confections about skating rinks, drive in movies and waning summer romances. Pay special attention to the first single, “Hey Boy” and the dreamy, ethereal ballad “Summer”.

It’s the perfect soundtrack for 85-degree days, driving with the windows down, your next big crush, or a bad mood you wish would go away.

Seriously. I dare you not to dance around a little bit.

You can pick up a copy on emusic, via iTunes, or at Goner Records or Shangri-La Records.

I’ve got two more sets of Orpheum Summer Movie Series passes to give away to two lucky winners.

There’s only one movie left, and it’s a classic. The Orpheum will close this year’s Summer Movie Series with “Casablanca” on Friday, September 17. It’s always one of their most popular screenings. In addition to the film, there will be a Wurlitzer performance, a trivia contest, and old school shorts before the feature.

And the winners are:

Sarah Fortune Gill and Nikki Rodgers!

(If you haven’t won yet, don’t fret – there are still 16 Days of Free Stuff left. Sign up here to be entered into all 16 drawings).

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Majestic Beast!

Poplar Ave.

Memphis, Tenn.

In other news:

- When I was in college in the Midwest, ice skating rinks would spring up all over Muncie the second the temperatures got justifiably cold. Alas, being a Southern kid, my skills were less than awesome. But there’s a second chance for me (and those of you who miss the Mall of Memphis ice rink): the Memphis Zoo is opening an ice skating rink in November. It will be open through the end of January. You can skate for $6 with skate rental and $5 without.

- Everyone’s favorite not-quite-local cop drama “Memphis Beat” has been renewed for a second season on TNT. Maybe this time, they’ll be able to film more of the show in Memphis.

- It’s the first Thursday of the month, which means that it’s Cooper Young Night Out tonight. The restaurants and shops will be open late, and many will have specials. There’s also live music from Jeremy Shrader at the Cove and a beer bust at the Poplar Lounge.

Let’s meet the first wild card contenders:

In this corner, the Cornish game hen from North Parkway’s favorite rib joint, Cozy Corner:

Cornish Game Hen from Cozy Corner

And in this corner, the barbecue nachos from that Midtown house of efficiency, Central Barbecue:

Barbecue nachos from Central Barbecue

The Food

The Cornish game hen is a mostly-whole (it’s headless) chicken covered in barbecue sauce, served spread-eagle on a styrofoam plate. It’s kind of cute. Most of the flavor comes from the sauce, which pools underneath the chicken. I got the hot sauce, which was really good (and so hot that it made my lips all tingly). The chicken is good, but it gets a little bland deep under the skin. I wound up cutting pieces off, then dipping them in the excess sauce. The easiest way to eat it is carefully, with a knife and fork. (7 points)

Central’s barbecue nachos are fairly simple: piles of pulled pork on tortilla chips, topped with barbecue sauce, melted cheese, shredded cheese and (optional) jalepeno peppers. I got a half order, and it was huge. I would only recommend a whole order if you’re sharing with at least one other person. The nachos are really good – there’s something magical in the combination of barbecue sauce and cheese sauce. They’re surprisingly easy to eat (and completely addictive). (8.5 points)

Service:

At Cozy Corner, you place your order at a counter, take a number and have a seat. Everyone was friendly, and the food came out in about 10 minutes. (7 points)

I always feel like I’m in trouble when I eat at Central Barbecue during lunch rush. You’d better know what you want when you get in line, and servers weave their way around the packed dining room, barking numbers. But it’s fast. My nachos came out about four minutes after I placed my order. (8 points)

Atmosphere

Cozy Corner has a really distinct (and unique) vibe. There are bibles on the counter, colored fluorescent tube lights and wood paneling. It’s what would happen if a skating rink, a Sunday school classroom and Wiles Smith Drugstore were located in the same building. It’s dark and blue and quiet. (8.5 for the bizarreness of it all)

The atmosphere at Central is exactly the opposite. It’s bright and crowded and loud. Tables in the dining room are so close together that people are constantly bumping into chairs. I’ll never get used to the collection of smiling pig figurines on the counter, though. (7 points)

Price:

A Cornish game hen with no sides costs about $11. It’s a lot of food, but that seems a little high for lunch. (6.5)

A half order of Central’s nachos is about $8, which is completely fair for the amount and quality of the food. (7.5)

The Winner: Central’s barbecue nachos, with 31 points. The Cornish game hen was a close second with 29 points.

Go There:

Cozy Corner

Central Barbecue

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Happy 9/01, Memphis! In honor of 901 day, there’s going to be a party at South of Beale tonight with plenty of Justin Timberlake’s 901 Tequila for all.

In other news:

- If you’re in Midtown and having cravings for Cafe Eclectic’s yummy cheddar bacon scones, you’re out of luck today. The midtown location is closed for the day because someone tried to drive through the front door with their car. Oops. If you need a fix, the Harbortown location is open.

- Happy football season, everybody. There have been huge stories in the Flyer and the Commercial Appeal this week dissecting University of Memphis football. I got a chance to see Tiger Lane, the brand new tailgaiting area near the Liberty Bowl, last night. It looks good – tons of grass, blue lights, and parking.

- Those of you with Project Sketchbook sketchbooks need to turn them in. They need to either be postmarked today or brought to the Art Center on Sunday.

Today’s lucky winner is going to score four passes to Memphis Roller Derby’s Intra-League Championship bout.

It’s a double header. In the first bout, Memphis’ own PrissKilla Prezleys will play the Apocalypstix from Atlanta. The second bout is the 2010 intra-league championship game between the undefeated Angels of Death and the Women of Mass Destruction.

This give away is one of my favorites. My team, the Women of Mass Destruction, is going to the championship this year. I’ve been working for more than a year for this one night at a skating rink. If you make it out, please say hi – I’m Lady Problems, and I’ll be wearing a green jersey and shiny gold pants.

And, before I get too fired up, the winner:

Congratulations, Joseph Hicks! You’ve got four tickets to the MRD Championships!

They’re happening at FunQuest in Collierville on Saturday, Sept. 4. Doors are at 5 p.m., and the first bout is at 6 p.m.

(If you haven’t won yet, don’t fret – there are still 17 Days of Free Stuff left. Sign up here to be entered into all 17 drawings).

Today’s Free Stuff is four passes to the incredible Memphis Zoo.

The Memphis Zoo was named one of the best in the country last year by TripAdvisor, and it definitely lives up to the hype. It’s more urban park than zoo, and they’ve got several brand new habitats (like Teton Trek, home to elk, grizzlies and timberwolves).

And the winner is… Jamie Young!

(If you haven’t won yet, don’t fret – there are still 18 Days of Free Stuff left. Sign up here to be entered into all 19 drawings).

At the recommendation of a reader (hi, Stephy!), I made a trip out to Le Gourmet Pastry in Bartlett this afternoon. I came back with this awesome coconut cake. I loved the layers of light, creamy custard on circles of spongy cake, topped with shredded coconut. It’s way more delicate than I thought it would be.

I also picked up some pistachio merengues, which were delicious, but impossible to eat without making a huge, powdery mess.

Le Gourmet is a full French bakery – they’ve got all sorts of pastries, bread, rolls and quiches. There are a few tables in the small shop, and they have a daily lunch special.

Go There:

Le Gourmet French Pastry

7395 U.S. 64
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 384-3900

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Someone needs to claim those tickets.

Incredible Pizza, Memphis, Tenn.

Gibson's Donuts, Memphis, Tenn.

1. Gibson’s Donuts (760 Mount Moriah Road)

The beauty of Gibson’s is that it never, ever closes. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’ve got a variety of donut options, but you can’t go wrong with the World’s Fair donut. Insider tip: the donuts are at their warm, gooey best around 4 a.m.

2. Alex’s Tavern (1445 Jackson Avenue)

Alex’s is a late-night favorite of service industry types, cops, neighborhood locals and Rhodes students. They’ve got an excellent jukebox (I was serenaded with “Ziggy Stardust” by a Rhodes student the last time I was there), and shuffleboard. If you’re hungry, try the Greek burger – it’s greasy, filling and perfect with a PBR. Note – Alex’s is cash only.

3. Cockadoos (85 South 2nd Street)

During the week, Cockadoos is a downtown coffee and lunch spot. On Friday and Saturday nights, they open at midnight, making it the perfect place to grab breakfast on your way home from a night out downtown. Try their house special drink, the Cockawhat with the Shag, a delicious peanut butter and banana french toast monstrosity.

4. CK’s Coffee Shop (locations all over town)

Just about everyone in Memphis has a late-night-at-CK’s story. The local chain is under new management, and they’ve done a little bit of menu revamping. Don’t worry, though – CK’s will always be more Waffle House than Chez Phillipe. Expect greasy spoon breakfasts, decent coffee and plenty of interesting people watching.

5. Pancake Shop (4838 Summer Avenue)

The Pancake Shop on Summer is utilitarian and efficient, but it it totally gets the job done. It’s a classic all-night diner. The food is decent (if a little greasy), and you can expect the waitresses to call you “baby” and “honey” and “darlin’”.