Sound Menu September 14 2005

THURS/15

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS The ASO kicks off its new season with a big ‘un: Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony (Symphony No. 2), a work of wide emotional range that spans the entire concert. The performance also features guest solo vocalists Twyla Robinson, soprano and Nancy Maultsby, mezzo-soprano. Robert Spano conducts. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

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CHERYL WHEELER Girls with guitars can be a scary thing, but this woman knows how to avoid the stereotypes as she works her audience in a way like nobody else. Alternating between hilarious stories, heartbreaking songs, and a big dose of “off the wall” humor, Wheeler never fails to make each show unique. $20. 8 p.m. The Five Spot. 404-223-1100. — James Kelly

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J. BOOGIE Not that I openly endorse drug use, but if there’s one night this week good for sparking a J, this is the one, because Lord knows J. Boogie is gonna spark it off. A San Francisco-based producer of Afro-Latin dubby deep hip-house for OM Records, J. Boogie adds live flare to globally informed blunted funk that can draw equal rare grooves from dancehall as from Bollywood. From minimalist to mashing, J. Boogie has pared his dubtronix to a science. Call for price. 10 p.m. Django. 404-347-8648. www.djangoatlanta.com. — Tony Ware

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FRI/16

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AMBUSH You know what makes a hot dog? It’s the special sauce. Think you’re a hot dog? Well, we’ll see if you’ve got juice when you throw down to one of the drum ‘n’ bass innovators, LTJ Bukem. Joined by MC Conrad, Bukem will drop that atmospheric, aqueous, soul-jazz-soaked breakbeat. Not enough? How about some of the Breakbeat Science of New York’s DB, a North American originator of jungle, raising decibels as he drops hook-heavy dubplates. Locals Deco, Mayhem, Kujo, Section 8 and Subconscious also keep things saucy. $25. 9 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — TW

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS See Sound Menu listing for Thurs., Sept. 15. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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DANIELLE HOWLE, BRAD PASSONS Singer/songwriter/actress/storyteller Howle is the epitome of back-porch chic. Her delightfully rustic tales are vivid and her guitar skills are amazing. When she stops playing and starts talking, her often comedic and whimsical vignettes are brighter still. MySpace.com heartthrob Passons opens the late show. $8. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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FOUR TET, KOUSHIK, CYNE, DJ LEB LAZE London-born Kieran Hebden of Four Tet churns out sophisticated and experimental “folktronica.” West Africa-by-way-of-Florida hip-hip quartet Cyne strikes with a coordinated attack of two MCs and two DJs who click with a sense of urgency and sociopolitical awareness. Koushik meshes downbeat, experimental hip-hop with ’60s psychedelia. Atlanta DJ Ryan Raja Rasheed spins a warm and cerebral wash of art-house and post-rock beatscapes. $14. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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MODERN SKIRTS Tonight, the Athens-based quartet celebrates the local release of its new CD, Catalogue of Generous Men. The album is a how-to guide for constructing radio-friendly pop hooks with just enough Athens edge to keep it interesting, and enough refried and recycled Brit-pop to catch the 99X crowd’s short attention span. $7. 9 p.m. 10 High. 404-873-3607. www.tenhighclub.com. — LVS

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MÖTLEY CRÜE The regrowth of long-dormant hair bands? Blame the Crüe. Metal-Some Mondays? Blame the Crüe. The biggest cartoon band since KISS is in a period of resurgence and still touring with a big ol’ theatrical production to support its bad habits and its Red, White and Crüe retrospective album. While others of the Crüe’s ilk would be lucky to fill the Masquerade, the band survives in the big arenas on big hooks, big hair and larger-than-life, bad-boy characters. $47-$77. 8 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-249-6400. www.philipsarena.com. — LVS

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THE SHAKING RAY LEVIS AND ERIK HINDS Chattanooga-based improvisational duo, the Shaking Ray Levis treks to Atlanta to join forces with Athens’ improv dignitary Hinds to craft musical accompaniment to a silent film called Telesthesia. Directed by fellow Chattanoogan Jarrod Whaley, Telesthesia is an avant-garde flick that relies on purely visual storytelling. Throughout the film, two people form a close bond over a great distance, but soon come together. $6. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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SKINNY PUPPY DVD SCREENING PARTY In case you didn’t feel like showing for either of Skinny Puppy’s two shows at the Masquerade within the last year, the ghastly industrial music outfit offers The Greater Wrong of the Right Live on DVD. SP is dually noted for its grotesque, blood-soaked stage presence as it is for blackened and mechanical music. Tonight’s show features a screening of the DVD. Call for time and price. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — CR

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STATISTICS, MY EPIPHANY Denver Dalley is a lanky Omaha, Neb., music fixture who first made his mark on the indie landscape as guitarist for Conor Oberst’s Desaparecidos. Now fronting Statistics and touring behind his third release, Often Lie (Jade Tree), Dalley’s output gels around crystalline pop that swings from sensitive to explosive without warning. Nashville’s My Epiphany soars to ecstatic heights of avant-emo rock that’s subject to intense and stylish mood swings. $7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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SAT/17

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS See Sound Menu listing for Thurs., Sept. 15. $15-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. — MG

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AVETT BROTHERS, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE North Carolina’s Avett Brothers take bluegrass in an unusual and controversial direction, with some commitment to the roots of the genre, but an almost punk-like fury in the presentation. A bit hard on the senses for my taste, but they are generating a buzz nevertheless. Atlanta thud rockers Fiend Without A Face join them on this strange bill. $10. 9:30 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — JK

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BOB MOOG TRIBUTE The recent passing of the father of the synthesizer, Bob Moog sent waves through every facet of the electronic music community. Tonight’s tribute begins with the Atlanta premiere of Moog, a documentary film that examines Moog’s collaborations and creativity over the years. After the film, local and regional artists, including Neil Fried, Dennis Palmer (Shaking Ray Levis), Zach Hollback (I Almost Saw God in the Metro) and several others will play homage to Moog. $6. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — CR

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CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE He has two first names but only one top reputation. He’s L.A.’s Christopher Lawrence, an American whose acid-forged trance productions on Scottish Hook Recordings have earned him top honors in the U.K. People love the serrated yet sleek sound, added to by local DJ/producer Jonathan Allyn. $20. 10 p.m. Compound. 404-886-3467. www.compoundatl.com. — TW

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DERRICK CARTER Born from Chicago’s party scene, internationally renowned DJ Derrick Carter’s glistening, pumping sound pulls equally from deep disco and jazzy soul as it does sweat-beamed diva belting. Opening is Neidel Crisan, whose deep, tribal, funky West Coast-style house will meld well with Carter’s soulful thumping. And in Eden, it’s J-Luv, Kevin O and Prince Presto. $20. 9 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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JEFF BLACK Following several local appearances over the past several months, the talented Nashville-based singer/songwriter is getting some well-deserved attention. This gig is a release party for his latest CD, Tin Lily, which features a slew of Americana A-list ringers such as Kenny Vaughn and Sam Bush. Too bad they won’t be with him tonight, though. $7. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

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SUN/18

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MIDIVAL PUNDITZ Need more bounce to the ounce than even a double espresso will get you? Well, check out DragonRadio.net’s free Sunday nights at Apres Diem with DJ CSX, this week featuring New Delhi’s MIDIval PunditZ. Raga will meet rare groove and baristas will boogie to bhangra’s breakbeats as the Asian massive sound brings the mesmeric, shimmering percussive funk. Free. 9 p.m. Apres Diem. 404-872-3333. www.apresdiem.com. — TW

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TIMOTHY ALBRECHT Finally, after many months, the new Jaeckel organ in Emory’s Emerson Concert Hall is fully voiced, and organist Albrecht is ready to show it off in this “inaugural” concert featuring toccatas by Bach, Jongen and Widor, and contemporary compositions by Dave Brubeck and Stephen Paulus. Free. 4 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu. — MG

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MON/19

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DEERHOOF, THE DOUBLE San Francisco’s Deerhoof dances from adorable to anarchic in a web of tight, experimental pop tones that evoke everyone from early Sonic Youth to Yoko Ono, all under a veil of cotton candy dreaminess. Like-minded Matador Records act the Double opens with a set of stark and noisy pop tones that waft from angelic and minimal to pure antagonism. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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TUES/20

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DOVES, LONGWAVE The Brits sure do love their ringing, sweeping, melodic power pop — and Doves deliver the goods. Huge in the U.K. but, like the similarly talented Stereophonics and Supergrass, barely a blip on the U.S. radar, the band has released what those who’ve heard it are calling one of the best albums this year. NYC-based Longwave is still trying to shake the Strokes comparisons on its new release. $20. 8 p.m. Roxy Theatre. 404-249-6400. www.atlantaconcerts.com/roxy.html. — HH

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MICHELLE LEWIS, ARLINGTON PRIEST, REBECCA LOEBE, JULIUS CURCIO Yep, it’s another one of Kahle Davis’ excellent showcases, this time featuring vivacious Lewis of Brighton, Mass., and the always enthralling Priest from Decatur. Loebe and Curcio close out the night with sets at 10 and 11 p.m., respectively. $5. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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MIKE DOUGHTY, CHRIS GLOVER Nobody ever quite imitated Soul Coughing’s twisty jazz/beat-inflected poetic post punk. And even if the band’s frontman’s solo work can’t equal the highlights of his previous project, he’s still a sly and enigmatic singer/songwriter who is probably better live than his enticing but not entirely successful new solo album suggests. $15. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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WED/21

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LEO KOTTKE AND MIKE GORDON Legendary acoustic folk guitarist Kottke is performing with a drummer for the first time ever, and that should be enough to attract even casual fans. But bassist Gordon’s Phish-ness will also draw some new blood, and the duo’s current album, which features covers of old Fleetwood Mac and Aerosmith hits, is one of the best of Kottke’s 35-year career. $30. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — HH

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THURS/22

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DWIGHT YOAKAM, HANNA/McEUEN Yoakam has undergone a career transformation over the past few years, leaving a major label and splitting up with musical partner Pete Anderson. His newest CD, Blame the Vain, is a jewel, but with a different glow this time around. Newcomers Hanna/McEuen are cousins whose dads are from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and they sound a lot like the Everly Brothers and the Mavericks. Good stuff. $30-$35. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.atlantaconcerts.com/tabernacle.html. — JK

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THE POSIES On-again, off-again band and sometime members of Big Star, the Posies’ gleaming melodic rock is name-checked by cool musicians and hip critics, but hasn’t clicked outside of a cult audience. Nonetheless, the quartet seldom plays Atlanta and has released its first collection of new material in nearly a decade, making this a must-see show for fans of chiming power pop. Death Ray Davies and Richard Swift open. $10-$12. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — HH

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THE WRIGHTS, NATIONAL GRAIN Former locals Adam Wright and Shannon (Tanner) Wright of Heritage Cherry fame return to the bar where they did some of their best shows. Now on a major Nashville country label, the duet’s debut CD is a fine collection of intelligent and catchy tunes. Openers National Grain obviously just discovered the magic of Gram Parsons, and are moving in the right direction. $8. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

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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 Heather Kuldell, P.O. Box 54223, Atlanta, GA 30308, or e-mail information to: heather.kuldell@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.