Sound Menu October 01 2008
WED/1
AGAINST ME!, TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS Two of the best political bands to emerge post-millennium, they deliver their idealistic agit-prop in different, if complementary, manners. Former frontman of ’90s mod-punks Chisel, Leo honed the sound, sharpening the edge into catchier hooks that rival Wedding Present’s scabrous bounce, swelling into anthemic power-pop paeans to rebellion and steadfastness. Against Me!’s hard-charging folk-punk owed an early debt to Billy Bragg, but has grown meatier and even tougher. Last year’s major-label debut, New Wave, delivers well-polished sound that doesn’t sacrifice any of its strength or beliefs. $18. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. masq.com. — Chris Parker
LUKAS LIGETI, KLIMCHAK Ligeti is the son of renowned 20th-century avant-garde composer György Ligeti. Much like his father, the young Ligeti thrives on the fringes of experimental musical ideas, but his compositions focus on percussion and crafting rhythms in the realm of post-minimalism. Electronica, jazz and indie rock all fall into his repertoire as well. Atlanta percussionist/composer Klimchak opens the show with an aural collage of clashing electronic and acoustic beats and textures. $8. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — Chad Radford
THE RACONTEURS Even doubters who passed this off as a Jack White fling were silenced when the band tore into its first tour with the resolve of an experienced outfit. White remains the star, but he cedes the spotlight to songwriter/guitarist Brendan Benson, an unjustly overlooked artist who put his solo career on hold to play off White in this roots-rocking quartet. A hastily released second album praised as better, tougher and more focused than the debut proves that this was no one-off fluke, as does this tour to support it. The Kills open. $38.50. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — Hal Horowitz
THU/2
ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The ASO’s curtain-raiser is the evening’s most novel oblation: Anton Webern’s orchestration of “Ricercar a 6” from J.S. Bach’s “Musical Offering,” done up in klangfarbenmelodie (tone-color melody). Distinctively individualistic American pianist Peter Serkin is soloist for “Piano Concerto No. 1” by Johannes Brahms, followed by meat-and-potatoes closer the “Symphony No. 5” by Ludwig van Beethoven. Rainbow-wreathed Robert Spano leads the whole klangfarbenvergnügen experience. Repeat show Friday and Saturday. $18-$73. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham
AVETT BROTHERS This talented trio samples widely across the Americana landscape. Their high-spirited live performances are delivered with punk-rock intensity, even if their acoustic, banjo-driven sound dictates a country-folk tone. Their last album, Emotionalism, explored pop sensibilities, refining their shambling pulse and resplendent harmonies toward a touch of wry elegance. After releasing The Second Gleam EP this summer, they’ll return to the studio this winter to work with Rick Rubin. Don’t miss Friday’s repeat show, with opener Jessica Lea Mayfield, whose powerful, haunting Americana suggests a teenage Allison Krauss. $25. 9 p.m. Georgia Theatre. 706-549-9918. www.georgiatheatre.com. — Chris Parker
JOHN HAMMOND For over four decades, Hammond has put his personal spin on blues classics, rearranging them and introducing the music to new generations. He received his biggest career bump in 2001 when Wicked Grin, an album of Tom Waits covers that Waits produced, was a surprise hit, providing him with well-deserved crossover attention. His most recent disc was produced by G. Love, an old touring companion, and further expands his blues boundaries. Hammond will mix those tunes with Delta and Chicago classics, all funneled through his dusky voice, stunning guitar and raw harmonica. $25. 9 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — HH
RAPHAEL SAADIQ After two decades spent oozing soulful licks (bass and lead vocals) all over Tony! Toni! Toné!’s greatest hits, and producing projects for such acts as D’Angelo, the Roots and Joss Stone, Saadiq should finally be able to shake that nagging “neo” prefix for good. His third solo release, The Way I See It, is classic in every sense. Fueled by the sound of Motown-era swing and the Oakland, Calif., native’s occasional falsetto, the CD proves Mark Ronson hasn’t stolen the soul after all — he just had it out on loan from Saadiq. Prepare for something resembling a throwback soul revue onstage. $25. 9 p.m. Sugarhill. 404-658-0068. www.sugarhillatl.com. — Rodney Carmichael
FRI/3
PETER KARP As good as his recent debut on Blind Pig Records is, you really need to see Karp live to fully experience his rollicking combination of blues, Americana and soul. His road duo strips down the songs, leaving room for Karp’s sharp, wry, often humorous lyrics and concoction of rootsy influences to emerge, guided by his grainy yet affecting voice. Extensive road work guarantees that he knows how to work a room by delivering the goods with dynamic music and a magnetic personality, leaving newcomers raving about his shows and returning next time with friends. $12. 9 p.m. Darwin’s. 770-578-6872. www.darwinsblues.com. — HH
TEJENDRA NARAYAN MAJUMDAR & ANUBRATA CHATTERJEE Admired for his remarkable agility and beautiful tone, Majumdar is a world-renowned master of the sarod, a fretless stringed instrument of northern India that is revered for its introspective depth, subtlety and expressive power. He is joined by Chatterjee, one of the great Hindustani tabla players of the Farukhabad Gharana tradition, whose playing is distinguished by a formidable virtuosity, tonal clarity and crisp, clear rhythms. $15. 8:30 p.m. Couch Music Building, Georgia Tech. 650-814-2408. www.paragchordia.com/concert. — MG
SARA SANT’AMBROGIO & WILLIAM RANSOM Grammy Award-winning cellist Sant’Ambrogio collaborates with Emory pianist Ransom in a two-day “Beethoven bash,” presenting all of the loquacious Ludwig’s compositions for violoncello and piano (five sonatas, two sets of variations). Pop-culture factoid: Top fashion magazines Glamour, Vogue, and Elle have all profiled la bella Sara. Concert No. 1 takes place tonight, and concert No. 2 on Saturday. Separate tickets are required for each night. All students free with student ID. $20. 8 p.m. Emerson Hall, Schwartz Center. 404-727-5050. arts.emory.edu. — MG
THE WALKMEN, THE LITTLE ONES The Walkmen are a pale comparison of the band that once was Jonathan Fire Eater. But with their latest offering, You & Me, the swaggering New York hipsters return to the unrestrained art-rock form of their last truly great album, 2004’s Bows and Arrows. Los Angelean twee pop five-piece the Little Ones open the show with a set of songs from their latest release, Morning Tide. $12. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR
SAT/4
STEVE FORBERT Burdened with high accolades for his stellar debut album that set the bar pretty high, Forbert has managed to make a living without compromising the integrity of his work, and without repetitious big hits. A journeyman folk singer with a huge but obscure back catalog, Forbert keeps it simple and to the point in his intimate solo performances. $20-$22.50. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Café. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — James Kelly
INTERIORS, A FIGHT TO THE DEATH Interiors frontman Chase Duncan is a Georgia native who now resides in the Midwestern confines of Chicago. The brand new, self-titled, debut Interiors full-length bares the unmistakable mark of a Southern songwriter applying his craft to the realms of hook-laden indie-pop music. Local act A Fight to the Death crafts epic, filmic Morricone-esque pop scores. Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun opens the show. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR
SUN/5
BLUES FEST ‘08 The unusually early starting time allows lots of leeway for a show benefiting the Second Wind Cancer Retreat in Blue Ridge, Ga. An eclectic lineup features legendary singers Bonnie Bramlett and William Bell along with Diane Durrett and local luminaries such as Barry Richman. Organist Ike Stubblefield provides backing for the soulful headliners, and with the talent involved, on-stage collaborations are likely. There will also be a silent auction of autographed collectibles and raffles throughout the performance, making it a four-hour extravaganza not to be missed. $15. 4 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — HH
JOAN OSBORNE A great and versatile singer who has sadly fallen into one hit wonderland, Osborne is touring in support of her newest opus, Little Wild One. Working again with the production team that made the platinum Relish (including “One Of Us”), she’s trying to recapture that magic. Marketing ploy or good move? You decide. $25. 7:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK
TUES/7
DRESSY BESSY, CASPER & THE COOKIES Dressy Bessy singer/guitarist Tammy Ealom is a fixture of the Denver Elephant 6 chapter. With Dressy Bessy she pursues glossy, ultra-vivid pop that’s more radio-friendly than the twee sounds of her Georgia peers. With Holler and Stomp, the group’s first record in three years, Dressy Bessy tames the over-the-top sparkle, but still crafts a sound that jitters with experimental energy. Atlanta-based E6 affiliates Casper & the Cookies open. $10. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — CR
KATHY MATTEA She may not be a big fixture on contemporary country radio these days, but Mattea was once a major superstar. She has never stopped making great music, but her pure voice and heartfelt tunes are just not shallow enough for today’s top 20. She has used her celebrity to promote environmental and social issues, and her recent Coal CD is a wonderful collection of songs about hard labor; you figure out where. $20. 8 p.m. Presser Hall, Agnes Scott College. 404-471-6430. www.agnesscott.edu. — JK
WED/8
DEAD SCIENCE Seattle pop experimentalists Dead Science are strong musicians capable of winding jazz chops around hard-churning post-rock. Jarring arrangements slam slinky late-night atmosphere off hard cubist corners and choppy puzzle-piece guitar. The group’s latest, Villianaire, continues to crowd the theatrical numbers with a mess of strings and jagged riffs that veer from melodic to atonal beneath frontman Sam Mickens’ shadowy croon. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CP
SAY HI, JUKEBOX THE GHOST Bubbling with spooky lo-fi pop energy, the brainchild of Eric Elbogen suggests Death Cab for Cutie with an abiding electronic fetish. With his fifth album, The Wishes and the Glitch, Elbogen maintains his love affair with fey synth-driven pop like that of Magnetic Fields, but shortens the name from Say Hi To Your Mom. Opener Jukebox the Ghost’s April release, Let Live and Let Ghosts, is one of the finest debuts of the year, offering jittery, keyboard-fueled indie pop with a touch of offbeat baroque grace that recalls Ben Folds. $8-$10. 10 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CP
Check out our website at atlanta.creativeloafing.com. Click the Music category for a full selection of Soundboard events. CL online provides the address, a map and directions from your location.
Bands/performers/venues wishing to be included in Sound Menu’s noted-acts boxes may send recordings, press material and schedules two weeks in advance to Creative Loafing c/o Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@creativeloafing.com. To be included in the listings only, e-mail venue and band schedules by Thursday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Wednesday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.