soundadvice

Split Lip Rayfield

DANCE/ELECTRONIC

Morr Tour

It'll be a Morr Music house party as the German label trots out a heavyweight (Valerie Trebeljahr's Stereolab-esque Lali Puna), a rising star (Arne Van Petegem's indie-electro Styrofoam) and an up-and-comer (The Go Find, Belgium's answer to The Postal Service). Styrofoam's latest, Nothing's Lost, features multitudinous guest spots (including Trebeljahr and American Analog Set's Andrew Kenny, who'll be on hand) while The Go Find's Miami features ample assists from Van Petegem. So the show should be something of a downtempo electronic group hug.
— Brian Howard
Thu., Nov. 18, 8 p.m., $10, with Lali Puna, Styrofoam and The Go Find, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 800-594-TIXX.

SOUL/HIP-HOP

Kameelah Waheed/Government Cheese

Black Lily — the weekly soul/hip-hop/everything night known for giving the first glimpse at some of music's leading ladies — has fallen short of its highly regarded reputation of late. But this week, songstress Waheed and band Government Cheese step up as featured guests. Maybe their heady formula of hip-hop, rock and punk can recapture the lost essence of Black Lily.
— Deesha Dyer
Tue., Nov. 23, 11 p.m., $5-$10, Five Spot, 5 South Bank St., 215-574-0070.

ROCK/POP

Thalia Zedek

The stormy melancholy of Zedek's trust not those in whom without some touch of madness (Thrill Jockey) is as close as she's come to the awesome power of her old band Come, whose minor-key squalls are landmarks of '90s indie rock. Adding viola and trumpet to the mix, trust not is loud at any volume, the sound of a drunken sailor going down for the last time.
— Sam Adams
Tue., Nov. 23, 9 p.m., $10, with Brother JT, Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0070.

CLASSICAL

Philomel

Thanksgiving in Philadelphia. Turkey and baroque music. It's a fine tradition. As they have for years, Philomel opens their season this weekend, this time with a sweet treat to rival yams and marshmallows, the glorious singing of Julianne Baird. The world-acclaimed baroque soprano gives us brilliant music of Handel, Monteverdi and Vivaldi.
— Peter Burwasser
Fri., Nov. 19, 8 p.m., $30-$35, St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St., Sun., Nov. 21, 4 p.m., Church of St. Martin in the Fields, Chestnut Hill, Sat., Nov. 20, Doylestown, 215-569-9700.

BLUEGRASS

Split Lip Rayfield

As cagey as a country sheriff, Rayfield plays dumb just long enough to get your defenses down. They may ask the musical question "Where are my Skoal Bandits?", but the Wichita foursome's blazing-hot bluegrass is anything but smokeless. Proud enough of their redneck heritage to play a bass (called "the Stitchgiver") made from an old gas tank, but self-aware enough to send up the Americana revival with "Just Like a Gillian Welch Song," they're a tasty blend of traditional savory and outlaw sweet.
— Sam Adams
Thu., Nov. 18, 9 p.m., $8, with Sideshow Prophets and Sugar Skulls, Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0070.

HIP-HOP

MF Doom

Metal Fingers, Victor Vaughn, King Geedorah, MF Doom — whatever the hell you call him — recently released MM Food (Metal Face), a new album with year-old songs. Still, the former member of KMD has kept fans hooked with complex lyrics that explore the imaginary minds of his many personas.
— Deesha Dyer
Mon., Nov. 22, 8 p.m., $13, with Brother Ali & BK One, Chief Kamachi, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.goodiegoodie.com.

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