Also this issue: Once More, With Feeling After an 18-year break, Mission of Burma's Clint Conley returns with a brand-new band. -Sam Adams Local Land-Marc One of the greatest living piano virtuosos calls Philly home. -Lou Camp Beat Box Hip-Hop & You Don't Stop -Ainè Ardron-Doley The Gig -Nate Chinen They Survived Philly -Patrick Rapa

May 9-15, 2002

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Brendan Benson

Poor Brendan Benson. Not only has the guy gone through more than his share of record label drama, but his only Philly gig in recent years was opening for The White Stripes at the Troc, a show many of us are trying to erase from our memories. Nevertheless, the Michigan-via-SoCal songwriter has taken his impossibly skinny frame, his guitar and his affected British accent, and perseveres. His new Lapalco (StarTime International) is a healthy helping of potent power-pop, where crunchy riffs and speedy beats meet with twee hooks and Beatles-esque harmonies. Spacey keyboards on cuts like the sunny "You're Quiet" or the moon-landing opener "Tiny Spark" maintain a Rentals-like sensibility, but don't fall too in love with the album's Moog-centric sound. Live, Benson and his backing cohorts strip things down to guitar, bass and drums to create simple, nitty-gritty rock 'n' roll.

Tue., May 14, 9 p.m., $8, w/ Cactus Patch and The Capitol Years, Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

–John Vettese