Sound Menu December 09 2009

WED/9

TONY FURTADO The banjo was Furtado’s initial instrument of choice, but after switching to guitar, specifically slide, his music was elevated to another level. Heavily influenced by Ry Cooder’s innovative style, his dusky voice and sepia-toned Americana is edgy, thoughtful, unique and compelling. $12-$60. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Hal Horowitz

THU/10 

ALL THE SAINTS, CRYSTAL ANTLERS, AUDACITY Crystal Antlers make noisy, wavering garage-psych with subtle prog undertones on their April debut, Tentacles. All The Saints are equally acid-soaked, though theirs is a more sultry and expressionistic trip, forged behind lingering walls of distortion and vocal howls. $10. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chris Parker 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO Norman Mackenzie directs Atlanta’s half-century-old, best-loved holiday musical tradition with more than 400 musicians and singers, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Morehouse Glee Club, and Gwinnett Young Singers. Repeats FRI/11 and SAT/12, plus a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.  $29-$62. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

NITZER EBB, DOGS OF VERONA Combining the techno pop of Depeche Mode and the harder sounds of early industrial, Nitzer Ebb helped pioneer a sound now known as EBM. The British group is joined tonight by local gothy hard-rockers Dogs of Verona. $18. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — Jonathan Williams

FRI/11  

ATLANTA CELTIC CHRISTMAS James Flannery hosts this 17th annual presentation of music, poetry and dance drawn from the winsome, wonsome ways and mystic beauty of Celtic and Appalachian traditions. Repeats SAT/12 and SUN/13 at 2:30 p.m. $10-$25. 8 p.m. Performing Arts Studio, Emory University. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — MG

BARONESS, TORCHE, PIG DESTROYER, IRON AGE Sinewy Savannah art-metal quartet Baroness rumble and shake in elegiac waves, recalling Neurosis and Isis with feral atmospheric thrum and uncommonly melodic, majestic rafter-rattling roar. Stoner-metal trio Torche also make hard rock unusually rich in melody and finesse. $15. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — CP  

BRENDAN BENSON Jack White might be the focal point of the Raconteurs but guitarist/songwriter Benson is its secret weapon. His uncanny knack for crafting hook-laden melodies is given free rein on his new solo album, a soaring set of sing-along power pop that finds its groove between McCartney, Fountains of Wayne and Todd Rundgren. $12. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH 

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY Combining stage theatrics with elements of disco, new wave, punk and funk, Austin, Texas’ Ghostland Observatory could just as easily be compared to Devo as Queen. A favorite in both the electro and jam band scenes, the duo brings its unpredictable production to town tonight. $22. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. — JW

GRETCHEN WILSON From her blowout debut, Redneck Woman, to her current single “Work Hard, Play Harder,” Wilson has carved a niche as the spokeswoman for honky-tonk party girls. Don’t let the clichés run you off — the woman can sing anything. $25-$125. 9:30 p.m. Wild Bill’s. 2075 Market St., Duluth. 678-473-1000. www.wildbillsatlanta.com. — James Kelly 

SUN/13

ATLANTA SINGERS “An A Cappella Christmas” features seasonal choral music from Josquin des Prez to Hugo Distler, along with traditional settings from around the world and sing-along carols. The 33-year-old pro ensemble is directed by David Morrow. $10-$20. 7:30 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

COWBOY ENVY Sadly, Atlanta’s finest cowboy girl group is hanging up the spurs. It has been an amazing 16-year run for the incredibly talented trio, who brought Western swing and cowboy music to the masses. Adios, amigas. $5-$50. 4:30 and 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD The blues genre is too narrow to contain harp master Ricci’s raging experimentalism. Recent albums find him exploring free jazz, hard rock and progressive sounds while keeping the blues flame burning. His live shows are explosive and his talented band routinely pushes him to new heights. $10-$12. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — HH

MON/14

CAGE, DJ CHAUNCEY Tormented rapper Cage sketches foreboding, emotionally wrecked rhymes drawing on his troubled childhood and decadent youth. His latest, Depart From Me, takes hip-hop in a rock/punk-pop direction, featuring former Hatebreed guitarist Sean Martin. $10. 9:30 p.m. 529. 404-228-6769. www.529atl.com. — CHRIS PARKER 

TUE/15

RUTHIE MORRIS BENEFIT Floods suck, and when you lose everything a little support can go a long way. Magnapop’s Morris gets help tonight from the Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray, rarely seen local popsters Warm in the Wake, and the everlasting Tim Lee 3. And you! $10-$12. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — JK