list.in.to.chicago this week: 10.10.2011

There might not be a newsletter next week, as the fall travel schedule is getting ridiculous, and by "ridiculous," I mean "what do you mean I have to fly coach to Europe?" It's not that I'm spoiled, but that I'm tall.

Also, Metromix listings are getting less and less helpful every week. Absence of good source material could cause problems for this whole enterprise going forward.

Pick of the week
Going with world music this week, as seeing Baaba Maal listed on Sunday night (Old Town School of Folk Music) actually made me jump out of my chair a little bit. Also, Matthew Sweet playing Girlfriend Thursday and Friday at Bottom Lounge could be pretty cool. And speaking of pretty cool, Bryan Ferry, Tuesday at the Civic Opera House.

list.in.to.COZ
Looks like I'll hit both the usual open mics this week, and then there's Diver at Fado on Saturday.

Recap
I did get sucked into the expectations game with St. Vincent on Wednesday, but it was still a good show. A four-piece with two keyboardists and a drummer didn't have the same nuanced dynamics as the slightly larger, more organic band from last time. Still, there's something about the prim, proper and poised persona of Annie Clark on stage that leaves you unprepared for her occasional ferocity. It's almost schizophrenic, and totally captivating.

Friday was Riot Fest, and to my own detriment, I don't see enough punk shows. The Holy Mess was impressive, in part because they could scream without sounding obnoxious, and in part because their drummer was really, really good, in a sorta non-punk way. You don't hear a pocket in punk rock very often, and it was refreshing. Down By Law was pretty straightforward and well-worn in that "good example of the genre" way. All! were a lot weirder than I expected, even reminding me of Mr. Bungle at times. I was also surprised to recognize the two songs I played in a band once in college right at the end of the set.

10.10   monday
The Bangles (House of Blues)
You don't want to miss your chance to hear "Manic Monday" played ON AN ACTUAL MONDAY, do you? And yes, they do have a new record out.

10.11   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
The stars seem to have aligned for me to actually make it to my normal Tuesday night home of the past ten years or so.

Bryan Ferry with the Phenomenal Handclap Band (Civic Opera House)
The Civic Opera House seems like a good fit for the former Roxy Music frontman. I couldn't see him playing at, say, the Congress Theater.

Minus The Bear with The Velvet Teen (Metro)
The Wikipedia quote describing them as "Pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics with sophisticated time signature composition" sounds intriguing, but I don't think I've ever given them a good listen.

10.12   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   COZ SINGS!
I feel like I'm a special guest at my own open mic, as this is the only Wednesday this month that I'll actually be hosting.

Portishead with Thought Forms (Aragon Ballroom)   SOLD OUT!
I have a hard time reconciling the notion of an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd with the cinematic, down-tempo sound of the trip-hop pioneers, but maybe it'll be a quiet intensity.

10.13   thursday
Matthew Sweet with Miles Zuniga (Bottom Lounge)
I've been told that the power pop heavyweight (no pun intended) can be hit or miss live, but he's celebrating the anniversary of Girlfriend by playing the album in its entirety, so that might be a chance you should be willing to take.

Revolver with Chateau Marmont (Schubas)
If there's going to be a "next" dance-pop band from France after Phoenix, odds are pretty good it's one of these two bands.

10.14   friday
Primus (Congress Theater)
The alternative prog-funk trio has a new album out with original drummer Jay Lane on drums, but after a couple of listens, it hasn't grabbed me the way their first three or four records did. A lot of that is just the sonics, which have gotten considerably muddier over time.

The Smashing Pumpkins with Fancy Space People, Light FM (Riviera Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Doesn't it seem like Billy Corgan will have at some point hired every female rock bass player in existence? Seriously, it's like he's got a never-ending supply of them.

Dum Dum Girls with Crocodiles, Colleen Green (Empty Bottle)
The Sub Pop all-girl band just released their second album. Not quite on my radar to the point where I know what anybody's been saying about it.

Neon Indian with Com Truise, Purity Ring (Lincoln Hall)
I'm getting them confused with Local Natives, but from the sound of it, this band is a bit more eclectic than that, mixing synth sounds, field recordings and samples into...well, I don't quite know what.

Greg Osby 5 (The Green Mill)
Seeing as how I flag Steve Coleman whenever he comes through town, it's only fair to call out his partner in M-Base Collective saxophone crime.

Matthew Sweet with Miles Zuniga (Bottom Lounge)
See Thursday's listing.

10.15   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Not entirely sure if it's the trio or the full quartet, but it'll be fun either way. I promise.

Portugal, The Man with Alberta Cross (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
Fortunately, there was a happy ending to the story of this band having their gear stolen while in Chicago for Lollapalooza. I liked them more as the songs got more intensely psychedelic during that set, which was augmented by the gathering storm that hit Grant Park just after they finished.

Holding Mercury with The Bright White (Bottom Lounge/Volcano Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Matt Hoffer and crew will be in the front room for this one. Not quite sure how that works, but they put on a good rock show regardless.

Greg Osby 5 (The Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

10.16   sunday
Baaba Maal (Old Town School Folk Music)
Two shows from the biggest pop star out of Senegal who isn't Youssou N'Dour.