Soundadvice

Get Out!

Best known for his 1978 single "(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World," English singer Wreckless Eric was an original member of the legendary 1970s Stiff Records roster. He returned to the label earlier this year after a 28-year lag, with his wife, accomplished American singer/songwriter Amy Rigby, in tow. The resulting album is full of off-kilter songs that slowly sucker punch their way into your psyche. Humming with an unassuming charm, the duo's breezy harmonies and wheezing organs sit atop of stunted acoustic guitars and pre-programmed drums. He went the whole wide world; the least you can do is go say hello.

—Kevin Pearson

Fri., Sept. 26, 9 p.m., $10 with Joe Tack Talcum, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 215-787-0488, northstarbar.com.

Raphael Saadiq has come a long way from his singing and dancing Tony! Toni! Tone! days to become a coveted producer and collaborator. Now Saadiq the solo artist is back with a throwback Motown style album, The Way I See It (Columbia), and an intimate stage show that puts him up and close and personal with his faithful fans.

—Deesha Dyer

Mon., Sept. 29, 8 p.m., $23, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

He's known mainly as half of Clean Guns and co-founder of Beat Garden Entertainment, but MC Zilla Rocca is flying solo with new a new 22-track mixtape. Bring Me the Head of Zilla Rocca! also features MAGr, Slim DSM, 2ew Gunn Ciz and rhyme partner Nico the Beast.

—Deesha Dyer

Sat., Sept. 27, 9 p.m., $10, with Nex Millen, 2ew Gunn Ciz, ASK? and Kane, hosted by Big O, Liquid Charm, 1207 Race St., 215-557-0208.

Headlined by the cartoon-punk of Peelander-Z, this night of Japanese and Japanese-American rock promises as much extracurricular entertainment as actual music. With colorful Power Ranger-style costumes, raucous songs and a crazy penchant for audience participation (human bowling, wrestling and more), Peelander-Z like to mix a little mayhem into their music. With three bands on the bill — TsuShiMaMiRe, Bakubeni and Quaff — this show should be fast, furious and fun.

—Kevin Pearson

Fri., Sept. 26, 9 p.m., $10, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

Bombastic but never overblown, Glasvegas channel Phil Spector's bold pop proclamations through My Blood Valentine's psychedelically shoegaze-y filter. Topped off by front man James Allan's thick brogue, this Glaswegian four-piece combine the sonic sensibilities of the famed "Wall of Sound" producer with the primal percussive power of a standing drummer. And while they certainly aren't the first Scots to utilize this musical mix, they refine the Jesus and the Mary Chain's Ronettes-in-a-wind-tunnel vibe for a more soulful and subtle artistic approach.

—Kevin Pearson

Tue., Sept. 30, 8 p.m., $10 with The Cobbs and DJ Joey Sweeny, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 215-787-0488, northstarbar.com.

On his 1969 song "Australia," The Kinks' Ray Davies painted a perpetually sunny picture of the land down under. In his words, it was a country where "nobody can ever get you down." Sure, that was nearly 40 years ago, but the upbeat image of a "sunny Christmas day" kinda sticks in your brain. It's one The Presets, a Sydney-based electronic duo, are trying to change one gloomy synth line at a time. Taking their cues from Depeche Mode and Daft Punk, this Australian duo give '80s electro-pop a gothic gloss but never forget that you came to dance.

—Kevin Pearson

Thu., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., $19, with Cut Copy, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE, thetroc.com.