Also this issue: Under the Radar Jim Putnam is not an undercover Brother. -Paul Burress Summer Monster The package tour -- something wicked this way comes. -Patrick Rapa Coming Up Rosey The rising pop star wants you to get Dirty. -Nicole Pensiero Beat Box -Ain� Ardron-Doley The Gig -Nate Chinen

July 12-18, 2002

musicpicks

Superdrag

You might remember Superdrag from their 1996 pre-emo ditty "Sucked Out," which flirted with MTV for a hot minute. Their first album, the breezy Regretfully Yours, a cult hit among indie rockers shimmered with moments of pop bliss. On their fourth and most recent album, Last Call for Vitriol (Arena Rock), Nashville's beer-soaked, diluted Beatles continue their trademark fuzzy guitars, lush harmonies and 4/4 beats, if such a thing could be considered any one band's trademark. Superdrag's saving grace is John Davis' honey-coated voice, soothing even if his lyrics are too vague to be considered memorable. Their sound hasn't deviated much from Regretfully, which is either a comfort or a bore. You can be sure of three things in this life: death, taxes and Superdrag releasing the same album every few years.

Sun., July 14, 8 p.m., $16.50-$17.50, with Guided By Voices, the TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

—Anna Goldfarb