Soundadvice

Get Out!

Drafting the cover art for the 8 for Infinity demo — where crayons of all hues cut across white lined paper, positioning a speakerbox in an astoundingly effervescent forest — must have required an entire 88 box of Crayolas. But damn did upstart Philly psych trio Cortez! Cortez!! nail the perfect visual representation of their sound. Lighter moments of buoyant pop recall Badly Drawn Boy (or Donovan, for heritage buffs), headier escapades travel into the land of Devendra Banhart (or Syd Barrett), but it never becomes obtuse. Even at its most experimental, Cortez! Cortez!! are as fun as scribbling outside the lines.

Thu., Dec. 18, 9 p.m., $8, with The MLMs and Toy Soldiers, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

Love City

You could say Love City's late to the party. You could say modern garage rock peaked back when the Strokes and the Vines roamed the Earth. Screw that. This rawkus organ-driven Philly five-piece sounds like they wanna make their own party. Look for them to set the room (and maybe a guitar) on fire at the Khyber this Friday.

Fri., Dec. 19, 9 p.m., $8, with Stalkers and The Lusts, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

Tony Malaby Cello Trio

The brawny tenor of Tony Malaby returns to Philly for the third time this year, the second leading a jaw-dropping all-star trio (the first was Tamarindo, with bassist William Parker and drummer Nasheet Waits). This go-round, he'll be joined by Claudia Quintet leader John Hollenbeck on drums and Chicago cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm. The three represent a vast range of possibilities, from the complex intricacy of Hollenbeck to Lonberg-Holm's extended textures, which should leave a wide path for the leader's athletic improvisations to barrel through.

Thu., Dec. 18, 8 p.m., $12, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, arsnovaworkshop.com.

IKE

Maybe the writing was on the wall two years ago, when IKE lost two members within a day of each other, but singer-songwriter John Faye and bassist Joann Schmidt soldiered on for Where to Begin, a collection of power-pop songs about a band falling apart. Now, exactly a year after its release, Schmidt's leaving IKE to begin yet again. This is her IKE finale. She'll be missed.

Fri., Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15, with Jealousy Curve, The Caulfields and Matt Duke, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Are you still putting together your list of the best albums of 2008? Might I suggest Wagonwheel Blues by the War on Drugs? It's a classic-sounding Dylanesque rock album with soaring melodies and memorable lyrics. Why not give it a spin today?

Thu., Dec. 18, 8 p.m., $10, with Comoros and Joshua Marcus, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.