THURSDAY, NOV. 19
Robbie Fulks The Bane of Big Hat Nashville because he can out-twang Music Row and tends to let them know about it – tacitly or directly – in every razor-tongued number (c.f., “Countrier Than Thou”), Fulks can honky tonk, Bakersfield or Western swing with time-machine accuracy. He infuses it all with timely, whip-smart lyrics so well-written you wonder why the hell he isn’t CMT’s poster boy. Then you remember: CMT is run by idiots, and Fulks’ got a bite-the-hand-that-feeds disregard for the music industry rivaling, say, the Replacements. He, too, happens to be a polymath covers guy (his version of Cher’s “Believe” is, um, transformative), and his upcoming release saluting Michael Jackson features, among other wide-ranging luminaries, both Sam Bush and Shellac, which is probably the last time I’ll ever write that in a sentence. Early show at The Evening Muse (John Schacht)
FRIDAY, NOV. 20
Skinny Puppy An originator of electro-industrial rock, Skinny Puppy’s new album is recorded and the artwork is ready, but apparently the band’s label SPV recently filed for bankruptcy, booting the release to sometime next year. Nevertheless, the band is hitting the road hauling new material and amps turned to max with their signature, menacing bombast of industrial, dance, and techno. A quarter century since their inception, the core duo, vocalist Nivek Ogre and guitarist cEvin Key, can still spin heads. With Vverewolf Grehv. Tremont Music Hall (Samir Shukla)
SATURDAY, NOV. 21
Jon Lindsay Being that he’s playing at a piano bar and all, Lindsay’s regular residency at Petra’s is a solo affair, heavy on Wainwright-style (don’t really matter which one) balladry shot through with a really dry sense of humor and an admirable flair for the dramatic (it is a cabaret, after all). Lindsay, who’s done time with the late The Young Sons and sang for any number of folk (Benji Hughes, Nicole Atkins) has a new one set for early next year, a 20-track effort entitled “Escape From Plaza-Midwood.” And here I thought you just headed down Pecan. Petra’s Piano Bar and Cabaret (Timothy C. Davis)
The Houston Brothers Brothers Matt and Justin Faircloth have a new EP locked and loaded for December release, and The Archer rivals, if not trumps, the duo’s previous best, their self-titled 2003 release. Recorded at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium, the six songs parlay the brothers’ strengths – slow-boil crescendos and middle-eights, sepia-colored melodies and brotherly harmonies – into their richest, most pleasing textures yet. Their newly renewed commitment to the original two-piece set-up fires these tunes with the passion – and, surprisingly, the big sound – they couldn’t quite capture during their days as a multi-member ensemble. If you haven’t seen ’em in the duo setting, you’re in for a treat (they’re opening for the Annuals at Tremont on Thursday, too). With Overmountain Men (David Childers) and Kenny Roby. Snug Harbor (Schacht)
R. Kelly It was back in 2005 that R&B singer R. Kelly hit the biggest stumbling block of his career. No, I’m not referring to the child porn trial where thousands yelled out, “You’re in/urine trouble!” I’m referring to the horrendous piece of trash called, “Trapped in the Closet.” The “hip-hopera” was basically Kelly talking over a monotonous backing track and occasionally singing words like “vibrate,” “midget,” “rubber” and “spatula.” I actually saw someone singing along once – it wasn’t pretty. It’s craptacular music in its finest hour and the proof that if you have money, people will let you record any moronic thing you want (It may have ended as a joke, but it didn’t start that way). He’s said there’s more to come … I sure as hell hope not. Ovens Auditorium (Jeff Hahne)
SUNDAY, NOV. 22
Roger Daltrey One of the most recognizable power vocalists in rock, Daltrey’s day job for the past four decades has been fronting The Who, but he also set out on a parallel solo career when the band seemed to unravel in the mid-’70s. Daltrey has released several hard-rocking solo records over the years, and while The Who iron out details for a 2010 tour, he is out twirling the microphone, belting his solo hits, choice cuts from The Who catalog and likely a cover or two. With Paper Zoo. The Fillmore Charlotte (Shukla)
MONDAY, NOV. 23
Megadeth One of the original “Big Four” thrash bands (along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax), Megadeth has had its share of problems over the years, most of them emanating from the mouth of the band’s leader (and lone original member), Dave Mustaine. Now a born-again Christian (and sober), Mustaine’s made it his mission to erase from everyone’s memory the last 15 years of mostly forgettable discs. To that end, the band’s new Endgame, with new guitarist Chris Broderick, is a return to, if not Rust in Peace, at least Countdown to Extinction* – fast, loud, and peppered with Mustaine’s inimitable snarl. (*All those titles have something of the fatalistic in them, no?) With Machine Head, Suicide Silence, Arcanium. The Fillmore Charlotte (Davis)
TUESDAY, NOV. 24
Little Dragon As if thawed from permafrost and carbon-dated to the 1980s this Swedish quartet’s electro pop is kitschy, sparse and surprisingly soulful. There’s a sprinkling of guitar, keyboards, percussion and flute in the mix, but the flow is skirted around repetition, minimal instrumentation, electronic rhythms, and an intriguing female vocalist. With Future Islands and Thank You. Milestone (Shukla)
Miley Cyrus Booty-shorts-clad pop princess and TV sensation Miley Cyrus might be biting off a little more sex appeal then her tween Disney channel followers can chew. Nonetheless, the shrilling screams of Charlotte tweens will echo through East Trade Street when Cyrus shakes her stuff for fans at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Cyrus certainly knows how to put on a show … with the understanding that sex sells regardless of age. Time Warner Cable Arena (Nicole Pietrantonio)
This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2009.
