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Published: Nov 11, 2008

While his current full-time band, Mojave 3, evokes Americana and his old outfit, Slowdive, were shoegaze icons, Neil Halstead's solo material taps into his English homeland for its folk influence. From the intricate picking of "Sometimes the Wheels" to the simple strum that accompanies "Elevenses," Halstead's latest album, Oh! Mighty Engine (Brushfire), strips away the swirling symphonic mass of his earlier work for a simpler approach that is still as striking.

—Kevin Pearson

Tue., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., $15-$23, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Matt Odom

For better or for worse, Didn't It Feel Kinder (Daemon) is softer than Amy Ray's two previous solo albums and, well, not much like her work with the Indigo Girls. If you're empowered by her empathy for being young, confused, frustrated or all of the above, "Cold Shoulder" and "Who Sold the Gun" are two more reasons to admire her.

—M.J. Fine

Thu., Nov. 13, 9 p.m., $18, with Jennifer O'Connor, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., northstarbar.com.

If you haven't been keeping up with Andrew Lipke, please be advised that he now rocks. At times, he rocks most thoroughly. His new Motherpearl & Dynamite (Mad Dragon) has all the pretty folk-poppy moments you've come to expect from the South Africa-born/Philly-based musician, but there's also occasion for driving beats and exhilarating guitar heroism. Bang your head with Lipke and his band during their Tuesday night residency at the Fire.

—Patrick Rapa

Tue., Nov. 18, 9 p.m., $7, with Chris Bruni, s. Quaranta & Paper Masques and Steph Hayes, 412 W. Girard Ave., 267-671-9298, iourecords.com/thefire.

Calexico dresses up their indie rock like the world traveler who picks up a new accent everywhere he goes. From mariachi-infused pop, to dusty, desert ballads, to Latin rhythms and Spanish lyrics, Calexico cross-pollinate from everywhere. And while their last album Garden Ruin was surprisingly straight, Calexico's latest, Carried to Dust (Quarterstick), returns the group to their global roots.

—Kevin Pearson

Fri., Nov. 14, 8 p.m., $16, with The Acorn, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

Calling Bhob Rainey and Greg Kelley a sax-trumpet duo would be technically correct but likely conjure an entirely mistaken image of what it is they actually do. Both are longtime members of the Rainey-founded, Boston-based collective BSC, and as a pair they traverse similar territory. It's an approach that could be termed dense minimalism, where activity is constricted but sound is far from limited. They enact a Kabuki-like combination of limited, precise gestures and loaded stillness that rewards concentrated listening.

—Shaun Brady

Sun., Nov. 16, 8 p.m., $5-$10, with Dave Smolen and Tim Albro/Dan Capecchi, Vox Populi, 319 N. 11th St., bowerbird.org.

Dark and bluesy, stark and boozy, Buck County's Levee Drivers grab you by the guts and pull you into their mood. August Lutz has one of those low, lonesome voices that makes you think of dark deserted highways and dead cowboys. Guitars slide and swoon, cymbal whoosh and goosebumps bump.

—Patrick Rapa

Wed., Nov. 19, $8, with Acres of Diamonds, Betty Iron Thumbs and Charles Latham, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com, myspace.com/hentaimusic.

Simmer Down
Young Blood
Gregory and the Hawk
Nate Wooley/Peter Evans
Hans-Joachim Roedelius
Robyn Hitchcock
Flexible Music