Also this issue: Diesel Dork Anti-folk hero Adam Brodsky returns from touring with a new CD and an all-star cast to play the release party. -M.J. Fine Back Again Singer/actor Jimi Mooney's punk-princess alter ego finds love as Helen Back. -A.D. Amorosi Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers -Sam Adams The Slats -Patrick Rapa Brother JT -Brian Howard Luciana Souza -A.D. Amorosi Billy Joe Shaver -Sam Adams DJ Nights -Sean O'Neal

November 27-December 3, 2002

musicpicks

The Swords Project/ The Gloria Record

Whether you're a freak for instrumental rock new (e.g. Boards of Canada, Godspeed You Black Emperor!) or old (think found-sound progenitors like John Fahey), The Swords Project is for you. Along with maintaining an era-less, ageless mien, this Oregonian unit finds quaking solace in steady somnolence, and cool but complex rhythm on their self-titled EP. The string-driven ambience rolls from pastoral ("Shannon's Wedding Song") to temperamental ("The New Assasin"). Joining Swords is the much-heralded (but not enough) The Gloria Record who have moved, on their new CD Start Here, from the roaring epic melodies and rumbling arching arpeggios of previous works to something slinky, distant and ominously Pink Floydian. Spooky.

Sat., Nov. 30, 10 p.m., $10, with Laketrout, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888 (advanced tickets, 215-569-9700).

—A.D. Amorosi