Also this issue: Smart Bombs The Def Jux crew bring the noise and the news. -A.D. Amorosi Salif Keita -A.D. Amorosi Sleater-Kinney/Yeah Yeah Yeahs -Sam Adams The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band -Sam Adams Parks & Wilson -Sean O’Neal The Anniversary/ Burning Brides -Chris Parker Skeleton Key -Maura Johnston Beat Box -Ain� Ardron-Doley

October 17-23, 2002

musicpicks

Atmosphere

Don't call Atmosphere -- or its conversational, confessional rapping -- emo-hop. Despite Sean "Slug" Daley's lyrical yearnings for lost love and true romance (without hip-hop's heavy hints of braggadocio), calling Atmosphere emo makes molehills of Slug's poetic rapping élan. And the comical, cloying tones of rapping partner Eyedea and the cold, lo-fi sound of spartan sound-tracker DJ Ant are hip-hop plain and simple. As part of Minneapolis' Rhymesayers mob, Atmosphere aren't new to emotional mirth-making. Rap rarities Overcast, Sad Clown Bad Dub II and Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs all came before this year's dense De-La-esque God Loves Ugly (RSE/Fat Beats). But with the highly charged rhyme-chiming "Onemosphere," the surprisingly poppish "Modern Man's Hustle" and cynical fare like "Hair" (with, of course, another hate note to his old girlfriend on "Fuck You, Lucy"), Slug and co. mix the achy-breakiness of the past with socio-consciousness. Joining Atmosphere at Gasoline this Tuesday is Minnesotan-albino Rhymesayer Brother Ali, Aesop-Rock brethren Murs and Philly's own righteous Kenneth Masters.

Tue., Oct. 22, 8 p.m., $15, with Murs, Kenneth Masters, Brother Ali and DJ BK One, Gasoline, Eighth and Callowhill sts., 215-925-1900.

—A.D. Amorosi