Martha Wainwright

Thu., Sept. 11, 6 p.m., $21-$33, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.


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Published: Sep 10, 2008

rock/pop

Whether it's releasing a signature single called "Bloody Motherfucking Asshole" about her dad or naming her new disc I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, Martha Wainwright calls 'em as she sees 'em. The opener, "Bleeding All Over You," from which the album's title is drawn, takes aim at the guy who got away and made a family with someone else. It's as raw as it gets, but Wainwright's impeccable lineage ensures there's a heavenly choir to blunt the blow. The bracing "Comin' Tonight" is her "You're So Vain," but where Carly Simon employed Mick Jagger as backup, Wainwright uses Pete Townshend for his guitar. "I can steal a melody/ Of this I am allowed," she taunts, "'Cause you would never sue me, baby/ It wouldn't look good/ It'd be weird." Happily, Wainwright's not afraid of seeming weird. Her lyrics may betray her fears about current events and the future, about ex-lovers and her mother — but at least she's not too scared to say so.

Thu., Sept. 11, 6 p.m., $21-$33, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.