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CRACKLIN MOTH This Chicago quintet has thus far rationed out its store of talent a little bit at a time, putting out a pair of EPs almost two years apart and playing a recent run of high-profile gigs. It’s been a good strategy for them: like rocks in a tumbler, they get more polished each time around. Released in May, My Heart Is Leaking retains the alt-country patina of 2005’s Redbird–largely in the form of lots of keening, creamy pedal steel, provided by Rocco Labriola–but now the voice of Kentucky-bred front man Matt Ammerman curls and unfurls in a romantic blue-eyed-soul mode, finding a new sophistication to match his tales of lovers’ ambition. The Record Low headlines. a 9 PM, Metro, 3730 N. Clark, 773-549-0203 or 312-559-1212, $9, 18+. –Monica Kendrick
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c crowded house Crowded House dominated American radio in the 80s with their eminently likable up-tempo pop songs and equally catchy ballads, the latter of which maintained an air of respectability despite the histrionic tendencies of the genre (see Night Ranger or Bonnie Tyler). But by the time of 1993’s Together Alone the New Zealand foursome had all but fizzled out, and the subsequent solo efforts of singer–songwriter Neil Finn never reached the same highs as his work with the band. Crowded House’s superb new comeback album, Time on Earth (EMI/Parlophone), was undertaken as another solo venture by Finn but midway through recording he recruited original Crowdies Nick Seymour and Mark Hart. (Paul Hester committed suicide in 2005 and is replaced here by former Beck drummer Matt Sherrod.) Together they turn out sunny pop tunes like “Even a Child” and graceful ballads like “Pour le Monde” in the spirit of their classic 1986 debut. This is their first U.S. tour since ’96; 16 Frames and Finn’s son Liam open. See also Sunday. a 9 PM, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, 312-923-2000, sold out, 18+. –J. Niimi
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BANGERS Brooklyn trio the Bangers have made some really shitty mashups in the past–check out the Sting-versus-Dr. Dre mess on their MySpace page–but their more recent legit remixes for the Rapture and local rapper Kid Sister have been mercifully light on irony and heavy on goofing off. Expect similarly good vibes during this DJ set, which should only add to the usual party atmosphere surrounding headliners Flosstradamus. a 10 PM, Subterranean, 2011 W. North, 773-278-6600 or 866-468-3401, $5. –Miles Raymer
