Friday 5
ATTIC TED, AIR GUITAR MAGAZINE The Texans in ATTIC TED make the fusion of New Weird America outback whooping and post-video-game, post-Merzbow electronic noise seem so natural that it’s easy to forget that every good ol’ boy in bumfuck doesn’t have the ripped-out guts of old drum machines and Moogs lying around his garage. The title of their 2003 disc, The Bastardized Country Carnival (Pecan Crazy), is an unnecessarily literal description of their forte.
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BMR4 A canny local jazz quartet led by bassist Chris Bernhardt, BMR4 makes the most of its two distinguishing characteristics. First, there’s the opposites-attract front line, in which the overheated tone and rough-hewn style of saxist Jay Moynihan contrast with the rich, urban-cool harmonies of guitarist Neal Alger. Second, there’s the group’s oceanic repertoire: songs on their upcoming album, set to come out this winter, include the Beatles’ “Fixing a Hole” (the record’s title track), Jackie McLean’s underappreciated 1960 romp “Appointment in Ghana,” and the standard “Close Your Eyes.” Bernhardt and drummer Mike Rodbard punctuate a smooth, easygoing swing with plenty of rhythmic fireworks, and Moynihan has a penchant for daring, guttural timbres; for me, though, the band remains first and foremost a superb showcase for Alger, who’s worked with a number of Chicago bands and has grown into one of the top soloists in the city. See also Sunday. 9 PM, Pops for Champagne, 2934 N. Sheffield, 773-472-1000, $12. –Neil Tesser
PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS Too often a support act, these touring machines are headlining this summer–it’s nice to see them emerge from the sea of posthardcore second-stringers, as last year’s Up in Them Guts (No Idea) suggests they should. Their distinguishing feature is the density of their tangled sound; following individual threads of roaring skreek in, say, “Belly Full of Hell” is like trying to unsnag a snarl of hair stuck on a briar in a windstorm. Smoke or Fire, Glass and Ashes, and Valley Arena open. 6 PM, Bottom Lounge, 3206 N. Wilton, 773-975-0505 or 866-468-3401, $10. All ages. –Monica Kendrick
Monday 8
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Want Two (Geffen, 2004), Rufus Wainwright’s latest release, is the second half of the baroque art-pop diptych he began with 2003’s Want One. It better showcases his early classical training, particularly on the opening incantation of “Agnus Dei” and the contrapuntal, string-laden “Little Sister.” But it’s a postfolk family affair as well, with contributions from Martha Wainwright (his sister), Kate and Anna McGarrigle (his mom and aunt), and arranger Van Dyke Parks (a pal of his dad, Loudon Wainwright III, and a help in getting Rufus his first record deal). He played solo last year at Ravinia, regaling the audience with cheeky asides from behind a grand piano; he’s joined by his band this time, but a cool lawn on a summer evening remains an ideal setting in which to enjoy his lush songwriting sensibility. Ben Folds headlines and Ben Lee opens. a 8 PM, Pavilion, Ravinia Festival, Green Bay & Lake Cook Rds., Highland Park, 847-266-5100, $15-$70. All ages. –J. Niimi
