Soundadvice

Get Out!

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Published: Apr 10, 2007

When the Norwegian rhythm section of bassist Ingebrigt Haker Flaten and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love hit town a couple of months ago as part of Scandinavian quintet Atomic, there were murmurs of disappointment in some circles that they were playing so much, y'know, jazz. But extremists can rest easy now, as The Thing, their trio led by Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, doesn't bother packing subtle interaction for the long flight over. This is muscular, balls-out aggression, and their versatility is all the sweeter when it's wielded in the name of brutal abandon.

—Shaun Brady

Wed., April 18, 8 p.m., $8, with Inzinzac and Locksmith Isidore, Avant Gentlemen's Lodge, 4028 Filbert St., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

If being an Ethiopia-born, Virginia Beach-raised buddy of a Neptune doesn't lift your profile with the ladies, nothing will. Save the possibility that you've recorded a sweetly melancholy first CD with Chad Hugo, New Sacred Cow, that reminded this scribe of Depeche Mode at its breathiest and hardest (which means Kenna sounds like Dave Gahan) and most melodically angelic (which means Martin Gore). Good for Kenna. His due-soon CD Make Sure They See My Face holds much of the same charm.

—A.D. Amorosi

Wed.,, April 18, 7 p.m., $12, Devin Greenwood, at North Star Bar 2639 Poplar St., 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com

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Think of it as performance art for people who hate performance art. An elaborate synchronization of found footage, found sounds and live performance, The Books' road show could seem ostentatiously postmodern, but wait. Words coming out of Nick Zammuto's mouth match lips moving on the screen. Bursts of Paul de Jong's bass parallel bursts of color and shifting imagery. There's such skill in the timing that these audiovisual mavens will have the most curmudgeonly spectator on his feet and applauding.

—John Vettese

Mon., April 16, 8 p.m., $13, with Todd Reynolds, First Unitarian Church Sanctuary, 2125 Chestnut St., www.r5productions.com.

Think of SXSW in the early years, run a trolley down the middle, that's the Roots Ramble in Media. Several big names, like Delco's rock pioneer Charlie Gracie and Bill Kirchen, are bait. Once hooked, be sure to circulate and see all the local bands you've been meaning to catch, like Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Transistor Rodeo or Frank Bey. Avoiding alcohol? Even Trader Joe's (Artese 'N Toad) and Seven Stones (Craig Bickhardt) are offering live music.

—Mary Armstrong

Sat., April 14, 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $10 advance, $15 day of, tickets available from any of the 15 venues, Media, 610-566-5039, www.statestreetblues.com.

The Philadelphia Songwriters Project may have tapped into something really cool with their Beyond Measure idea. It calls for local choirs like The Anna Crusis Women's Choir (pictured) and Umibaji Haki to perform music by local singer-songwriters like John Conahan and Adrienne Hamilton.

—Patrick Rapa

Sat., April 14, 8 p.m., $25- $35, Church of the Saviour, 651 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, www.phillysongwriters.com.

If any enterprising guitar manufacturers ever want to get truly innovative with their honorary models, they'll unveil one with no tuning pegs and a sackful of files, clips and other household objects to shove under the strings, and they'll call it the Keith Rowe. The co-founder of pioneer experimentalists AMM is, after all, the Les Paul of tabletop guitar, virtually inventing a whole new lexicon for a familiar instrument. This trio show with electronic musicians Rick Reed and Michale Haleta will be preceded by a talk with Jon Abbey of Erstwhile Records and Rowe biographer Brian Olewnick.

—Shaun Brady

Sat., April 14, 7 p.m. discussion, 8 p.m. concert, $10, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., 215-222-9050, www.bowerbird.org.

Longtime Philly favorite Vienna Teng got herself signed to a major label last year and landed Larry Klein as producer of her ambitious third album, Dreaming Through the Noise. And while Teng appears hugely glammed up in her new promo shots, the music remains alluringly sparse and atmospheric. With her piano-based, jazz-infused "chamber-folk" and unflinchingly honest story-songs, the personable Teng is especially compelling onstage, where she's accompanied by a handful of backing string musicians.

—Nicole Pensiero

Fri., April 13, 8 p.m., with David Berkeley, $17.50, Sellersville Theatre, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 215-258-5808, www.st1894.com.

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