Sound Menu September 19 2007

THURS/20

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FIONN REGAN It seems like a setup when a brand-new artist is excessively compared to the greats, as Regan has been. With names like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Nick Drake being tossed around in his hype machine, the expectations on this young Irishman are high. I say just listen with a clean palate, and let his soft, folk sound take you where he wants you to be. $12. 8 p.m. The Five Spot. 404-223-1100. www.fivespotatl.com. — James Kelly

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JANIVA MAGNESS After struggling in the blues trenches for 25 years, Magness finally scored 2007’s Best Contemporary Female Vocalist at this year’s Blues Music Awards. While the California-by-way-of-Detroit singer hasn’t crossed over into mainstream recognition just yet, it’s only a matter of time until her powerhouse vocals and rootsy material connect with a larger audience. Hear her belt out rollicking R&B, smoky jazz, sassy soul and blistering blues with the conviction and professionalism only a quarter-century of experience brings. $10. 9 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — Hal Horowitz

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JOHN VANDERSLICE, BISHOP ALLEN A renaissance musician, Vanderslice’s fingerprints are all over the Mountain Goats’ last three albums, which he produced and helped arrange. His analog studio Tiny Telephone is a popular stop among indie rockers, and he’s followed up his fine, overlooked act, MK Ultra, with a terrific solo career. His music is textured with hooks, odd-shaped prog curliques and conceptual narratives, the latest of which, Emerald City, prominently involves terrorism and guilt. Bishop Allen’s smart, quirky, vibrant indie pop was showcased all last year when the band released an EP a month. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chris Parker

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FRI/21

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SHAWN MULLINS & FRIENDS It seems Eddie’s prodigal sons and daughters always come home, and Mullins is a near-perfect alumnus. While still working his excellent 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor album, he will be doing a broad retrospective of his career, and the place will be packed. Good stuff, I’m telling you. $18-$90. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 and 9:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — JK

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INTERPOL W/ LIARS They’ve changed little since their acclaimed 2002 debut, Turn on the Bright Lights, only tightening and refining the British post-punk formula they lifted from Joy Division and the Chameleons. It’s hard to argue with this summer’s Our Love to Admire, however, whose anxious atmospheric rock is as smooth, dark and alluring as black velvet. While many have copped the style, no one does it as well. After two abrasive, overrated experimental albums, openers the Liars again defy expectations releasing a quite listenable, expansive self-titled LP in August. $32.50. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com. — CP

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VEGA STRING QUARTET The Vega Quartet introduces its new first violinist, Blanka Bednarz, a native of Poland who is on leave this year from teaching at Dickinson College. The midday program includes Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Quartetto Serioso” (Op. 95) and music by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Free. Noon. Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — Mark Gresham

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SAT/22

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BOB DYLAN, ELVIS COSTELLO, AMOS LEE A strong and diverse bill of singers/songwriters. Bob Dylan has been a legend of folk and rock for more than 40 years. Costello has been an iconic firebrand in many music fields for 30 years, and talented newcomer (compared with the headliners) Lee is an enthralling lyricist. A night to remember — if you’ll actively listen. $39.50-$69.50. 7 p.m. Arena at Gwinnett Center. 800-224-6422. www.gwinnettcenter.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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DO MAKE SAY THINK, MOORISH IDOLS Toronto-based experimental art-punk outfit Do Make Say Think is a close cousin to fellow Canadians and epic noise and drone-rock ensemble Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Do Make Say Think builds deep and fuzzed-out walls of sound that pull from a patchwork of punk, jazz and instrumental metal leanings. Local art-pop trio Moorish Idols opens the show. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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FRINGE Atlanta’s newest chamber-music series, Fringe, makes its debut with the intent of transforming the “classical” concert experience into something more familiar to young denizens of the MTV/iPod generation. The virtuosic “Duo for Violin and Cello” by Zoltán Kodály and Franz Schubert’s “String Quintet in C Major” are performed within a less-than-conventional framework, including projected docuvids of the performers (violinists Fia Durrett and Michael Heald, violist Joli Wu, and cellists Roy Harran and Charae Krueger), DJ-spun ambient electronica, and a short film. $5-$10. 8 p.m. Church of the Redeemer-PCA, 5185 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road. 678-298-1150. www.fringeatlanta.com. — MG

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GIRL TALK With his third mashup album, last year’s Night Ripper, Pittsburgh’s Gregg Gillis became a cause célébre. He fashions his music from a crazy quilt of recognizable songs, completely recontextualized by Gillis. Night Ripper featured a head-spinning 160 different sampled sources, from Dem Franchize Boyz to Neutral Milk Hotel and the Rentals, though its popularity made his illegal lifts all the more problematic. Gillis’ live performances are kinetic, as he roams the stage with the same manic intensity as his sampling. $15. 10 p.m. MJQ Concourse. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CP

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MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC COMPANY, THE WATSON TWINS Since abandoning his solo moniker Songs: Ohia after 2003’s Magnolia Electric Co., Jason Molina’s adopted the album title as a band name and assembled a backing quartet. The music retains some of its spooky echo of Bill Callahan (smog), but it delves more into Molina’s Neil Young influence and explores dark, if well-trod, country-blues rock. Openers the Watson Twins supported Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis on last year’s Rabbit Fur Coat, and the sweet harmonies of sisters Chandra and Leigh are all over their self-released eight-song EP debut, Southern Manners. $8-$10. 9 p.m. 40 Watt Club. 706-549-7871. www.40watt.com. — CP

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SNEAKER PIMPS W/ CLIPSE Sneaker Pimps is a traveling showcase for sneaker heads. It features limited-edition kicks and street art and photographers. The main attraction at the Atlanta installment will be Clipse, the critically adored cocaine rappers whose Hell Hath No Fury was one of the best-reviewed albums of 2006. DJ Lord and Mr. Bigg Time will also work the stage, and street artists such as Cope2 and Urban Medium will have live art installations. $15. 7 p.m. Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. 404-688-1970. www.thecontemporary.org. — Mosi Reeves

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SUN/23

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APPLES IN STEREO Over the past few years, Unplugged in the Park has quietly grown into a dependable late-summer tradition, drawing well-known acts such as Regina Spektor and, just last week, Kevin Kinney to large and appreciative local crowds. This week brings Apples in Stereo, a bright and imaginative pop band from Denver, Colo., whose New Magnetic Wonder is a delight. Free. 7 p.m. Park Tavern. 404-249-0001. tavern.parktavern.com. — MR

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UGLY RADIO REBELLION The music of the late Frank Zappa is as complicated to describe as it is to play. From sweet doo-wop to intricate classical pieces and from screaming hard rock to overbearing political spoken word, he did it all. Any band that attempts to cover him better be good at it. We’ll see ... $8. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

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MON/24

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ATMOSPHERE One of indie rap’s most popular and vital artists for nearly a decade, MC Slug flips rap’s braggadocio, delivering instead confessional, self-conscious rhymes that impugn his own alcoholism, womanizing and other frailties. He’s leveraged his success to abet his Rhymesayers collective (P.O.S., Brother Ali), and broadened his oeuvre the past few years with a live backing band. Atmosphere is supporting this summer’s heavily soul-inflected Sad Clown Bad Summer Number 9 EP. $10-$12. 9 p.m. 40 Watt Club. 706-549-7871. www.40watt.com. — CP

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DIRTY PROJECTORS, ATLAS SOUND, ECSTATIC SUNSHINE, SISTER SUVI Dirty Projectors is a strange and shimmering avant-garde pop outfit that’s led by songwriter Dave Longstreth. His approach to pop music meshes naivety and straight-up weirdness. His latest offering is a whimsical reinvention of Black Flag’s album, Rise Above. Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox co-headlines with his Atlas Sound project. Baltimore-based duo Ecstatic Sunshine and Sister Suvi (featuring members of Islands) open. $8. 8 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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TUES/25

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BRANDI CARLILE, A FINE FRENZY Brandi Carlile headlines the current “You Oughta Know” tour, created by VH1. The Indigo Girls-approved singer/songwriter is supporting her album The Story. A Fine Frenzy’s Alison Sudol will open the show with music from One Cell in the Sea, her excellent debut. Both offer moody, intelligent atmospherics, interesting characters, first-rate musicianship and a refreshing diversion from most of the current crop of derivative disappointments that masquerade as modern music. $20. 8 p.m. The Roxy. 404-233-7699. www.ticketmaster.com. — LVS

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DEKALB SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA For the DSO’s season kickoff, artistic director Fyodor Cherniavsky conducts a program of Russian music: “Kamarinskaya” by Mikhail Glinka, “Eight Russian Folk Songs” by Anatol Liadov, the raucous “Octet” for winds by Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Borodin’s “Symphony No. 2,” and “Three Dances from Gayane” by Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. Senior and student discounts available. $10-$20. 8 p.m. Cole Auditorium, Georgia Perimeter College (Clarkston campus). 678-891-3565. www.dekalbsymphony.com. — MG

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THE SEA AND CAKE, MEG BAIRD The Chicago indie-pop supergroup tours behind its first album in four years, but little has changed sonically for the quartet. While boasting a somewhat more straightforward sound, the new music is still driven by Sam Prekop’s breathy vocals and the subtle interplay between his and Archer Prewitt’s floating guitars. The line between wistful and bland is a thin one, though, and occasionally this music drifts into the ethers with lovely but hookless melodies that meander while attempting to soar. Baird’s intimate folk quietly opens the bill. $15. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH

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WED/26

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ANDY DITZLER, COLIN BRAGG The songs on Andy Ditzler’s debut album, titled Songs from Yes and No, come together to form a concept album that’s engrossed in the philosophies and tribulations of life in the customer-service-driven 21st century. He possesses a singular wit when it comes to blending piano pop with elements of classical music and baroque and Zen-inspired arrangements. Colin Bragg opens with a solo ambient-guitar performance. $5. 9 p.m. 11:11 Teahouse. 404-521-1911. www.myspace.com/1111teahouse. — CR

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CAN CAN, MY SIAMESE SELF, WIGHAT Blame this madness on full moon fever. Can Can scenester Patrick A. is the mastermind behind tonight’s “Teen Wolf” theme party. Werewolves, real or in costume, get in free to enjoy a den of edgy fun. Abrasive punk rock from My Siamese Self leads the pack, following a performance from Patrick A.’s own Can Can, the rising duo that also includes Mary Collins. Brand-new garage-rock outfit Wighat completes the big hairy beat. Howl, baby, howl. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — LVS

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JOHN LEE HOOKER JR. Despite his legendary family name, Hooker Jr.’s funky R&B and upbeat blues is far-removed from his dad’s hypnotic Delta boogie. But Jr. is a veteran performer who toured with his father and infuses his peppy music with a dose of smirking humor. He edges closer to late era Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s entertaining and occasionally cheeky mix of jazz and soul that, while not exactly riveting, is still a hell of a good time. $10. 9 p.m. Blind Willie’s. 404-873-BLUE. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — HH

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THURS/27

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IKE STUBBLEFIELD, THE LEGENDARY JC’S With four decades of solid soul experience, B-3 keyboard authority Stubblefield can play just about anything with just about anyone. His list of collaborators reads like a mini-Hall of Fame, including stints with Motown greats and even Eric Clapton. The JC’s share the bill and the mind-set of the evening, crafting soulful rock grooves and irresistible melodies that please stoic rock fans and loose-limbed jam-band lovers. $8-$10. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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U.S.S.A., NEW BRUTALISM, THE FELON WIND Former Ministry/Revolting Cocks bass player Paul Barker and former Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison head up U.S.S.A., a new and gloomy postindustrial rock band that would have totally ruled in like 1992. New Brutalism plays abrasive and metallic rock on homemade instruments and comes off sounding something like an unholy merger of Shellac, AC/DC and Thin Lizzy. Felon Wind opens. $10-$12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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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 Friday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Thursday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.