Sound Menu October 11 2006

CL’s picks for the week’s best shows

THURS/12

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AMOS LEE For some strange reason, Lee was tagged as the “male Norah Jones,” but his talents run far beyond any lame comparison to her. His debut album was an absolute jewel, a throwback to the classic ’70s acoustic soul of folks like Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers. Hopes are high for the newly released Supply and Demand. I’m demanding what Amos supplies. $20. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Robert Spano conducts the ASO with French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet as soloist in one of George Gershwin’s finest but strangely neglected works, the “Piano Concerto in F.” Two quintessential masterpieces round out this early 20th-century excursion: the jazzy precision and wit of Igor Stravinsky’s “Octet” for winds, and Bela Bartok’s “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta” (excerpts can be heard in the film scores of Being John Malkovich and The Shining). $16$63. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. Mark Gresham

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PAUL OAKENFOLD He’s packed stadiums — and admittedly packed some CDs with cheesy guest-star-studded jams — but legendary U.K. DJ Oakenfold jammed so hard in the Balearic late-’80s to Goa trance mid-’90s, I’m prone to let him coast on his own coattails just a wee bit longer. For a couple years there, did I love me some Fluoro psytrance? That’s like asking if everybody partying at the Globe looked idiotic. Duh! Nowadays you really shouldn’t expect more than some main room electro-trance, climax-ridden camp stompers. But Oakenfold has the depth of experience to pull it out and ramp it up, so there’s always that chance something really mental will supplement the U2 remix “epics.” Joining Oakie is Perfecto associate Sandra Collins, who earned a deserved crowd-pleasing party-girl-meets-moody-selector reputation. $20. 9 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — Tony Ware

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WOLF EYES, JOHN WIESE, ROGER STELLA, ZOROASTER Ann Arbor, Mich.-trio Wolf Eyes stalks the forefront of American underground noise. The group churns out a terrifying concoction of mechanical rhythms, antiquated bleeps and chirps, and the fiery punk-fueled abandon of Black Flag, Swans and early Sonic Youth. Electro-ambient noiseniks Wiese and Stella do their knob-twiddling things. The Atlanta-based metal trio Zoroaster plays massive doom and gloom. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

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FRI/13

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu for Thurs., Oct. 12. $16$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

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CASH: A TRIBUTE TO THE MAN The Man in Black is more mythical in his afterlife than he was when he strolled the earth as a meager living legend. Tonight, for the fourth year in a row, the Star Bar becomes the Cash bar with a cache of Folsom Prison escapees all a-payin’ tribute to the iconic country rebel. The club promises that all proceeds from the event will go to the American Diabetes Foundation. $7 minimum donation requested. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — Lee Valentine Smith

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DFA DANCE PARTY FEAT. JUAN MACLEAN, TIM SWEENEY Brooklyn-based production duo/label DFA has churned out the dance-punk jams of the Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Black Dice and Maclean. For this tour, WNYU-FM (89.1)’s “Beats in Space” radio host Sweeney and Maclean are promoting the second installment of the DFA remix compilation with beats and noise wrapped around tracks by Nine Inch Nails, UNKLE, N.E.R.D. and more. Creative Loafing columnist/DJ Tony “Ballz Deep” Ware opens. $13. 10:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950.

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www.badearl.com. — CR

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FIVE STAR IRIS Ah, those darn Schaefer brothers. The kings of all media and veteran Rock Boat barnacles are celebrating the release of their band’s new CD tonight. It’s familiar, serviceable pop/rock for fans of Collective Soul and other such melodious hook purveyors. Pay to get in and you’ll get your very own copy of the self-titled CD. $10. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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JOHN MAYER Personally, I would rather be caught dead than be found in possession of a Mayer recording. It’s not that he can’t play the guitar — he can command a bluesy lick — it’s just how he often chooses to use it. When it comes to simpering, blue-eyed soul, he’s LL Cool J circa “Doin’ It,” which is no “Around the Way Girl.” Still would kill myself first than be forced to experience the soft-focus, sensitive-type vibe, even the recently more laudably idiosyncratic Continuum. But I would hang out with this dude any day of the week. Ever since appearing on the second season of “Chappelle’s Show,” it’s been clear Mayer is an eccentric cat. Rumor has it he gets high, tells great Dominican dick jokes, has been known to ape gossip whore www.PerezHilton.com on his official site, and could be down for a threesome. Not that I’m interested, John, but I’m impressed by your openness. I know the way girls swoon for you, so there’s sure to be some primo overflow and for that, maybe I’ll listen to “Daughters” once. Brett Dennen also appears. $35-$64.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — TW

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LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET W/ LUCIANA SOUZA The brilliantly eclectic and charismatic Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (Andrew York, John Dearman, William Kanengiser, and Scott Tennant) join forces with Grammy-nominated Brazilian vocalist/composer Souza to perform a program heavily Latin in flavor. The performance includes works by Spanish composers Joaquín Rodrigo and Manuel De Falla, Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov, and Brazilian composers Hermeto Pascoal, Paulo Bellinati, and Souza herself. $50. 8:15 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

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SAT/14

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu for Thurs., Oct. 12. $16$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

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ERIC CLAPTON, ROBERT CRAY Clapton brings his time-honed blues power to the suburbs tonight with venerable bluesman Cray in tow. Sure, he’s on autopilot now, but his early stuff still resonates in the concert setting. Go to the bathroom during maudlin fare like “Tears in Heaven” and the rest of the evening should be pretty enjoyable. Last year, while on tour with Clapton in the U.K., Cray recorded his first live album, released last month as the thoroughly entertaining two-disc set The Robert Cray Band: Live from Across the Pond. $62-$102. 7:30 p.m. Arena at Gwinnett Center. 404-249-6400.

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www.gwinnettcenter.com. — LVS

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THE HISS The Hiss plays a howling and raucous brand of garage-rock. But it also knows how to craft a good song, giving its music structure and purpose as well as raw energy. The band celebrates its new self-titled EP with a headlining gig at the Earl. Heavy psych traffickers All the Saints and Birmingham, Ala., group Ferocious Bubbles open. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950.

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www.badearl.com. — Mosi Reeves

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JASON FOREST, ZANDOSIS, BIGPENGUIN Forest (aka Donna Summer) normally concocts spastic mixes of mashed-up madness. The Jason Forest Band is a trio (guitar, keys, laptop and vocals) brought together under the direction of Forest’s hip-hop/prog songwriting. Atlanta noise ensemble Zandosis celebrates the release of its latest offering, George W. Bush Go Straight to Fucking Hell, a twisted take on politically charged hardcore. Bigpenguin opens. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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JOHN MAYER See Sound Menu for Fri., Oct. 13. $35-$64.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — TW

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LAPTOP BATTLE: THE FINAL BATTLE This is it, the final Laptop Battle that decides who moves on to compete in the nationals in Seattle in December and who stays home. The competition pits eight of the highest-ranking competitors from three previous battles in a tournament-style showdown of skill and intensity, judged in several categories. Man vs. man, wielding nothing more than keyboards and mice, has never been more cutthroat. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — CR

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MOLLY BANCROFT, AMELIA WHITE, TOSHI REAGON Bancroft is a familiar voice on the scene and she’s always ahead of the game. Whether its contributions to the hot international dance hit “Tracking Treasure Down,” or the rustic, decidedly back-to-basics new release, Red Dirt Diaries. White is no stranger to town, ambling in from Nashville with a set of country rock, tempered with pure pop smarts. Delightful singer/songwriter Reagon shares the bill. Note: The Harringtons play an early (6 p.m.) set for a separate cover ($10). $10. 8:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — LVS

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MSTRKRFT You know the feeling, when somebody across a dingy room gives you “the look.” It’s the same feeling you get when masturbating with Tiger Balm for lube. It’s paranoid and prickly, an experience of burning curiosity ... and probably ending in something else burning as well. Now imagine that pleasurable chafing sensation musically and you have Canada’s MSTRKRFT, the production duo of Jesse F. Keeler (formerly of DFA1979) and Al-P. These cats get the pneumatic mojo rising with stuttering filter-disco that’s bristly like a porn ‘stache tickling your mentholated balls. Also on the bill are audio proctologists Preston Craig, Brian Parris and Scooter, massaging 12-inches to 11. $10. 11 p.m. MJQ Concourse. 404-870-0575. www.mjqatlanta.com. — TW

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SUN/15

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BEN KWELLER Following the twin guns of “Wasted & Ready” and “Commerce, TX” off 2002’s Sha Sha, it was within reason to call power-pop wunderkind Kweller by the nickname “Wittle Weezer.” Of course, if you listened further to 2004’s On My Way, he was more Elton John. No Lou Reed. No Jonathan Richman. No Rivers Cuomo. Let’s just say he was developing. With his new, appropriately self-titled album, he seems to have distilled all his influences into a focused, completely self-played batch of earnest, boyish yet mature pop. It’s now the Kweller formula. The Sam Roberts Band and Hymns also perform. $18. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.varietyplayhouse.com. — TW

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THE DUHKS If it walks like... nah, I’m not going there. The Duhks are one of Canada’s finest exports and their delicious blend of rootsy folk and contemporary intellect is a musical pleasure. Working their second Sugar Hill release, Migrations, the ensemble once again brings a plethora of influences into a precise focal point. Be there, and you will get it. $12. 7 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — JK

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MULGREW MILLER TRIO Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, pianist Miller’s bluesy roots have evolved continuously over a long, steadily climbing career into a very personal melodic, harmonic and rhythmic jazz style. He was voted “most-in-demand pianist” among his peers in 1995. He’s also established a solid reputation as a skilled, swinging accompanist, inventive soloist, notable composer and visionary jazz band leader. $30. 3 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

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WED/18

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SCISSOR SISTERS If Elton John were still able to fit into his Pinball Wizard get-up, he’d be in Scissor Sisters, joining his super-saturated spirit with Barry Gibb’s. But seeing as if he’d surely burst the seams of Scissor Sisters’ Technicolor dreamcoat, his essence will have to make due. It’s within Scissor Sisters’ high-concept disco-pop honky-tonk cabaret in spades, right there next to the essence of Kate Pierson, Olivia Newton John and Nile Rogers. Canadian electro-popper Small Sins, who should appeal to Postal Service fans, opens. $25. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — TW

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ZAGREB SAXOPHONE QUARTET W/ EMORY WIND ENSEMBLE Saxophonists Dragan Sremec, Goran Mercep, Saaa Nestorovi and Matjaz Drevenaek have been performing together as the Zagreb Saxophone Quartet since 1989, not long before their homeland of Croatia declared independence from what was Yugoslavia. All protégés of Josip Nochta at the Zagreb Academy of Music, they have made waves in Europe and North America playing new works for sax quartet along with transcriptions of classical and jazz standards. In this concert, they perform along with the Emory Wind Ensemble. Free. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall. 404-727-5050. arts.emory.edu. — MG

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THURS/19

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ASOBI SEKSU, CLUB AWESOME, THE BLUE HOUR New York City trio Asobi Seksu marries the droning guitar overload of My Bloody Valentine with Japanese girl pop enchantment. Atlanta’s Club Awesome crafts playful lo-fi pop melodies that fall somewhere between Joe Jackson and Joy Division. The Blue Hour’s passionately searching take on complex and confrontational indie-rock urgency swims in a sea of mangled emotions and precise sonic craftsmanship. $7. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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JIM LAUDERDALE, BILL MALLONEE Lauderdale must write a song — or 10 — a day. At least it seems that way with the amount of recorded music he puts out. Currently touring on two great new albums, he has way more great material than he can possibly share with us in one show. But it’s all good, damnit. Mallonee is also an amazing writer and performer, so be there! $18. 7:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.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, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, 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.