WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
Cursive Tim Kasher of Cursive, while not as popular as old fellow Omahaian Conor Oberst (whom he mentored when the former was a glasses-wearing runt with a propensity for squeaky-voiced grandiosity), certainly – like Oberst – wears his lyrical heart on his sleeve. Yet, whether through his work with Cursive or The Good Life, he's had arguably a more consistent (if not as diverse) run of releases over the last 10 years than his old pal. Kasher's a hell of a writer (a screenwriter, even), and most of his discs are conceptual in origin, albeit not of the Pink Floyd variety. The band's latest, "Mama, I'm Swollen," might be the least guitar-centric of Kash's oeuvre, but it has a harrowing narrative minimalism Chris Offutt or Pinckney Benedict might well be proud of. Don't worry, however: the band still crushes live. With Alkaline Trio. Amos Southend (Timothy C. Davis)
The David Wax Museum Bandleader David Wax (guitar, voice, Jarana) spent time in rural Mexico learning, absorbing its folk music and now adds those rhythms and flourishes into an exploration of American roots, bluegrass and folk. The weave of Mexicana and Americana is quite riveting. The Boston combo recalls Latin-flavored rock of Calexico and Los Lobos while tipping hats to early Jayhawks, all on an acoustic tip. The new album, Carpenter Bird, is about as consistent as it gets. The Evening Muse (Samir Shukla)
THURSDAY, MARCH 18
Enoch Asheville trio spews doom rock laden with psychedelic wigouts where the sludgy guitars ooze drones from amps while rumbling percussion loosens the nails on the floorboards. Take the Melvins, Sleep and even Sonic Youth and douse it with heaps of effects, crawling feedback, quirky instrumentation and the gin joint oughta expand nicely. With Machete! and Monarchist. Milestone (Shukla)
FRIDAY, MARCH 19
Benjy Davis Project With over-emotive vocals, paint-by-number melodies, predictable dynamics and sentimental narratives, this AOR-ready Baton Rouge outfit naturally finds its Lost Souls Like Us record on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. A dash of yawn folded into a heap of dullness, as a wise friend once described something similarly generic. But they should appeal to the Shawn Mullins, James Blunt and Rob Thomas crowd. Me? I'm gonna crank some Bob Mould and Big Star to remind me what this stuff's supposed to sound like. With Sequoyah Prep School and Todd Carey. The Evening Muse (John Schacht)
Ben Folds Although silly at times, the biting lyrics, written after what seem like lengthy peeks inside shades-drawn rooms, unwrap the follies of human nature as only pop singer/songwriter Ben Folds can write. Take the drunken tale "Bitch Went Nuts," along with a long catalog of similar observations where Folds' wry wit and natural piano tingling make for a neurotic, but a fun, date night. With Zach Williams. Fillmore (Shukla)
SATURDAY, MARCH 20
The Public Good These D.C.-based, power-pop wundermen should jog the failing memories of anyone old enough to remember what the hell college rock radio was (or who attended West Charlotte High back in the day). Songwriters John Elderkin and Steve Ruppenthal formed the nucleus of Chapel Hill's The Popes in the late '80s/early '90s, and the new band (which also includes local Chris Garges on the kit) hasn't strayed from those seminal roots: Warehouse-era Husker Du power-pop and Beatles-friendly melodies, garnished with some Kinks' clever. With the like-minded gogoPilot. Snug Harbor (Schacht)
G. Love and Special Sauce The last time G. Love was in town, his show with Jason Mraz was rained out and he ended up tearing through an acoustic set on the stage of The Fillmore for those lucky enough to get in. If you missed it, here's your chance to get an idea of what happened. If you were there, here's a chance to see G. Love play a full, plugged-in set. No doubt you're going to get a mix of funky and fresh with the old and restyled as only he can mix it up. Amos' Southend (Jeff Hahne)
SUNDAY, MARCH 21
Hockey The band's been compared – too often – as Strokes revivalists, which is kind of odd, considering that band is still around – and making a new record, no less. If there's a Strokesian comparison, it's with Julian Casablancas's solo record, Phrazes For The Young: both are upbeat rock records with electronic undertones, equal parts beats, brass, and balls. As seemingly humble as a buzz band gets, you get the sense that they're just scratching the surface of their sound, seeing what sort of sick stuff might ooze out. Even Gary Bettman couldn't screw this up. With The Postelles. Snug Harbor (Davis)
TUESDAY, MARCH 23
You Say Party! We Say Die! The '80s keep on comin' back, from the stretch pants to the repackaged new wave punk bands. Surfacing from British Columbia, with singer Becky Ninkovic and Krista Loewen on keys, the band will be touring the U.S. in promotion of their newly released CD, XXXX. Songs like "Laura Palmer's Prom" will give you happy feet and bring back old memories of mix tapes and "Aqua Net" hairspray. With Members of the Sea. Snug Harbor (Nicole Pietrantonio)