Music Picks 

Devotchka (Egos); Phix (Urban Lounge)

IMOGEN HEAP, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

Icelandic chanteuse Imogen Heap, or Immi as she likes to be called, first gained notice as the voice of Frou Frou. Her breathy, slightly androgynous singing style distinguished the duo from the electro-rock pack. On Speak for Yourself, Immi carves another niche in solo territory, crafting dreamlike songs that dance a whisper-to-high-pitch tango. Immi might consider teaming up with Rufus Wainwright, a talented singer-songwriter whose own unique soul-piercing vocals reflect a willingness to step outside the box. His latest album, Want Two, features operatic vocals and Latin excerpts heavier than thou, which might turn off those who prefer their music secular. Sundance Music Cafe/Star Bar, 268 Main, Park City, 5:20 p.m. Info: 435-615-7588.

Also Friday: Cherum, Aftermath of a Trainwreck (The Ritz); Will Sartain Players (Urban Lounge); Starmy (Monk’s); Michael Franti & Spearhead (Suede, Park City)

THE DOWNERS

There’s nothing quite like a high-school reunion. You lose weight, develop a fake résumé and drink Silo-cup upon Silo-cup of spiked punch trying to recapture distorted memories of days gone by. On second thought, that sounds pretty awful. Things should be much more lively when The Downers reunite for a final performance. The defunct local group, which disbanded in 2004, spawned Pleasure Thieves and Cathy & I, the latter of which is now losing a member to the lefty city of Portland. Tonight, join The Downers in a send-off toast to Paul Michael Burke. Silo cups optional. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Info: 746-0557, MySpace.com/TheUrbanLounge (with Vile Blue Shades).

Also Saturday: H.R. of Bad Brains (Egos); Sweet Sunny South (Sun & Moon Cafe); The Honey Brothers (The Depot); Basin Street (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); KBER Salt Lake Soundcheck (Club Vegas); G. Love & Special Sauce (Suede, Park City)

MIKE DOUGHTY, BRUCE HORNSBY

Six years after he turned an obscure Italian candy bar into an upbeat, grunge-era radio anthem, ex-Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty no longer fields “Freebird”-like requests for “Super Bon Bon.” He’s more or less abandoned the frantic energy that defined his former buzz-saw band in favor of pleasing riffs and lyrics more suited for sober Sundays than highway-bound acid trips. Today, Doughty joins Grammy-winning artist Bruce “The Way It Is” Hornsby, a seasoned solo artist whose mainstream songs make sensitive men cry. Kleenex optional. Sundance Music Cafe/Star Bar, 268 Main, Park City, 3:50 p.m. Info: 435-615-7588.

Also Sunday: Iron & Wine, Fruit Bats (Sundance Concert Nights/Star Bar); DJ AM aka Nicole Richie’s ex! (Suede, Park City)

AESOP ROCK

If the term “Tip Drill” means anything to you, listen up. Nelly might have a knack for crafting catchy beats, but his euphemisms for sex, ’hos and sex with ’hos are just newly packaged clichés that thwart efforts to paint hip-hop as anything but misogynistic. Aesop Rock does his best to remedy the situation, bringing clever, conscious lyrics to rap music. His delivery is even better'sub-zero vocals that will give your mama whiplash. Check out his new album, Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives, a recipe for treacherous times. The Depot, 13 N. 400 West (The Gateway), 9 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com (with Mr. Lif).

Also Monday: Switchfoot (The Canyons Resort, Park City); The Yellowjackets (Sheraton City Center); Pennywise (Great Saltair)

X-Dance Closing Party (Harry O’s); Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (Sundance Music Café/Star Bar); Cabaret Voltage (Urban Lounge)

ATHLETE, MICHAEL PENN, RODNEY CROWELL

Some think Michael Penn has it bad, living in singer/songwriter Aimee Mann’s shadow. Au contraire! Penn himself pens (ouch'bet he never gets that one) songs that are equally beautiful and poignant as his wife’s aching opuses. His latest full-length, Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947, nearly parallels Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois in scope, though its narratives are less obsessively researched. Each song reflects a slice of post-WWII America as heard through Penn’s acoustic-pop stethoscope. His sound should pair well with Athlete’s mellow Brit-rock and Rodney Crowell’s character-based country tunes. Sundance Music Cafe/Star Bar, 268 Main, Park City, 3:10 p.m. Info: 435-615-7588.

CIRCLE JERKS, D.O.A

In 1978, while most of America did a little dance, made a little love and snorted a lot of coke, D.O.A. released Disco Sucks, an EP whose slogan rang true among countless disillusioned youth and anti-ABBA activists. The politically/environmentally conscious Canadians didn’t just talk a good game but rather encouraged listeners to actively question authority and challenge conformity. The Circle Jerks came around shortly thereafter, with former Black Flag frontman Greg Morris leading the way. His spitfire observations on suburban ennui and other horrors ring true 20 years later, as America obsesses over televised karaoke and TRL. Get wild in the streets tonight! Star Bar, 268 Main, Park City, 8 p.m. 435-615-7588.

Also Wednesday: Minnie Driver, Martin Sexton (The Depot); Slightly Stoopid, John Brown’s Body (Suede, Park City)

COMING UP

Toby Keith (Delta Center, Jan. 26). The Supersuckers (Egos, Jan. 26-27). Cake (The Depot, Jan. 28). Duncan Sheik (Suede, Feb. 1). The Roots (The Depot, Feb. 2). In Flames (Great Saltair, Feb. 1). Bayside (Ice, Feb. 4). Los Lobos (The Depot, Feb. 4). Mute Math (Kilby Court, Feb. 6). Mi & L’au (Urban Lounge, Feb. 13). Reggie & the Full Effect (Kilby Court, Feb. 15). Reliant K (In the Venue, Feb. 17). Less Than Jake, Rock & Roll Soldiers (In the Venue, Feb.18).