WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
O.A.R. Long running Maryland jammers O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) are hitting the pavement, plugging their newest recording All Sides. Jam bands like to hit the stage and plow into long interplay. O.A.R. are no slackers in that endeavor while adding distance to other jammers via their innate musicality of tightly woven pop and rock numbers. The moody aura of the short ditties is as effective as the improv-laden eclectic jams. Matt Wertz will open. Cricket Arena (Samir Shukla)
The Lights, Fluorescent Led by the give-and-take of Erika Blatnik and Robby Hartis, The Lights, Fluorescent certainly have co-opted a bit of that sunny day-style real estate, and to fine effect: think layered, hook-heavy, flourish-friendly alt.rock, all tied up with a cooed, co-ed twist. Check out their excellent EP, Neoteny, available at shows or online, for a free tour. With Rahim. Milestone (Timothy C. Davis)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
Iced Earth Classically tinged metal, where Iron Maiden meets orchestral dirges that in turn spew power metal with soaring vocals and guitars. They are metal legends in their own right, though, with over two decades of recording and touring. Last year’s Framing Armageddon is a concept album, which at first listen seems pretentious but the music gets in your skin with anthemic blasters and operatic vocals. Also on the bill: Saviours and Into Eternity. Amos’ Southend (Shukla)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
Amorphis Progressive death and speed metal kings from the frozen tundras of Finland have over the course of many records gone from blasting speed metal to playing hip progressive metal to symphonic metal, with, gulp, melodic singing along with the growling. Their stable includes power ballads that aren’t afraid to use piano to cozy up with earth rumbling bass-heavy metal outings. With Leaves Eyes, Samael and Virgin Black. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)
Paleface The Concord-based folker recently signed with Ramseur Records and is sure to make a good impression whenever anyone gives him a listen. At the recent Homebrew CD release party, plenty of people were buying his disc and asking when his next gig will be. Well, here it is. With Ian Thomas. Evening Muse (Jeff Hahne)
Rockin’ for the Cure Team Maya has organized the third annual Rockin’ for the Cure event, which will be headlined by The Paul Thorn Band. Thorn is touring in support of his most recent album, A Long Way from Tupelo. The event also includes a live and silent auction. More information can be found at www.teammaya.com. Grand Central (Hahne)
The Dirtbombs Motor City mayhem in the form of the conceptually shape-shifting garage-punk/soul-tastic/power-pop rockers The Dirtbombs, featuring their distinctive two-bass/one-guitar/two-kits lineup and Mick Collins‚ wailing vocals above it all. The band released We Have You Surrounded earlier this year to near-universal acclaim, opened for Spiritualized on their recent East Coast dates, and will spend October and November doing the same for TV On the Radio. In other words, consider yourself blessed to witness in a room this size what some (me, too!) consider the best Detroit band of the last decade, period. With Bruce Hazel and Some Volunteers. Snug Harbor. (John Schacht)
Mary J. Blige The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, you’ll remember, was given that title because, before her, the genre didn’t really exist. Blending elements of classic soul and R&B with both hip-hop hooks and collaborative hook-ups, she’s the one we have to thank for the likes of Angie Stone and Rihanna and india.arie. (And to blame for the likes of Danity Kane and The Pussycat Dolls.) Some 15 years into her career, she’s more sure of herself (and her life, and her place in the world) than ever, and it shows – once merely your stereotypical bad girl with a big mouth, she’s now a badass woman with something to say. Long may she reign. With Robin Thicke, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Davis)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30
Horse Ghost I sat through a handful of songs by Horse Ghost at the September Crowntown Showdown, but I’m still not sure I’d be able to describe them. It’s energetic, yet laid back. It’s rock, but there are hints of the blues and country. Maybe they sum it up best on their MySpace page – “It grooves, it sweats, it’s dirty.” It’s worth a listen, too. Double Door Inn (Hahne)
This article appears in Sep 23-30, 2008.
