Also this issue: Billy the Kidder Will Oldham is being difficult. -A.D. Amorosi Time and Tide Jon Langford talks about death and going it alone. -Sam Adams HearHere -Patrick Rapa Sam Jayne, Sam Beam, James Mercer -Chris Parker Miguel Zenón Quartet -Kyle Parker The 90 Day Men -Paul Burress Erykah Badu -Elisa Ludwig Joe Strummer/Clash Tribute -A.D. Amorosi

January 30-February 5, 2003

musicpicks

Neil Finn/Rhett Miller

If it's better with a band, nobody told Neil Finn or Rhett Miller. Though Finn hasn't radically overhauled his sound since the breakup of Crowded House, he's taken advantage of his musical bachelorhood to shack up with collaborators as varied as Lisa Germano and Eddie Vedder, consistently surprising without playing the dilettante. Opener Rhett Miller (pictured), by contrast, is still searching for a clean break. Miller hasn't let his membership in Old 97's lapse -- the band's most recent show was barely a month ago -- and though The Instigator (Elektra) calls on cunning producer Jon Brion and breaks the 97s' no-outsiders policy with guest appearances by Robyn Hitchcock and Davíd Garza, it sounds enough like Miller's day gig to make you wonder why he didn't just bring these tunes 'round the practice space rather than getting a little on the side. Maybe the rest of the band just needs to remind him he's still loved. Valentine's Day is coming up, guys; maybe a nice home-cooked meal?

Fri., Jan. 31, 8:30 p.m., $18/$20, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000.

—Sam Adams