Also this issue: The Big Con Why Philadelphia bands play the CMJ festival. -Patrick Rapa Tropical Impressions Caetono Veloso tells the truth. -A.D. Amorosi suitespot -Peter Burwasser on Classical Back to Basics Which in The Divine Comedy's case means less rock, more baroque. -Sam Adams Flute Awakening -Peter Burwasser Right On Time -Sam Adams Catherine Irwin -Sam Adams Kim Richey -Sam Adams

November 7-13, 2002

musicpicks

Crispy Ambulance

Mancs for the Memories Dept. OK, so this isn't Manchester and it isn't 1982, but you'd never know it from hanging around Philadelphia's rock clubs. First The Chameleons grace us with their presence, thrilling the crowd as if they're more determined to be kids now than the first time around, and now Crispy Ambulance have made their way to our shores. Less poppy than some of their Mancunian counterparts, the Crispies weathered their share of Joy Division comparisons in their day, but in fact they've more in common with Magazine, the band Buzzcock Howard Devoto put together when he got tired of punk. Cripsy Ambulance's ominous, obsessively repetitive music develops an austere beauty over time, although it's possible to accuse them of taking themselves too seriously as well. At least they haven't come back empty-handed: Scissorgun (Darla), produced by 808 State's Graham Massey, is their first studio album in 20 years, and only their second ever. If they're lightening up, it's only a little -- but then if you'd taken this long to produce a follow-up, you'd probably be grumpy too.

Thu., Nov. 7, 9 p.m., with Photon Band and Mahogany, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

—Sam Adams