July 21-27, 2005

musicpicks

The Rosebuds

Pop/Rock

Finally, an opening band you'll want to take home. Raleigh, North Carolina's Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp hold hands at the movies — they are married, after all — but they pack a power-pop punch on stage. With a rotating cast of backing musicians, The Rosebuds blend the urgency of The Buzzcocks with Spoon's sophistication and add a pinch of Brill Building smarts. These Southerners planted deep roots on 2003's Make Out, and the new Unwind EP is even stronger. "Edmund Street" is dark and sexy like Morticia Addams, and the title track doesn't sweat so much as glisten. But you know the duo withheld some sweet stuff just to get our panties in a bunch. Indie-pop vultures gotta wait till September for the full-length. Tonight's sneak peek means if you wait sometimes, you just might find you get what you want.

Thu., July 21, 9 p.m., $20, 21+, with Teenage Fanclub, North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

—Neal Ramirez