Carrier, 2 Live Crew, Jane Monheit ... 

THURSDAY 12/2

CARRIER

Indie-rock is a fine wine, improved with age and appreciated by those willing to navigate myriad permutations in search of the perfect varietal. That said, newly corked, Colorado-based Carrier would pair nicely with a midnight stroll through a sketchy park. The group’s sound is mellow, yet slightly on-edge. Their self-titled debut features hints of The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr., with the essence of Afghan Whigs. Not to be confused with the California blend of the same name. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330, West, 7:30 p.m. Info: 320-9887.

Also Thursday: The Warriors (In the Venue); Jane Siberry (Mo Diggity’s).

FRIDAY 12/3

2 LIVE CREW

Those disappointed with the Beastie Boys for abandoning their license to ill in favor of a free Tibet can rest easy knowing 2 Live Crew is still up to its usual irreverent tricks. A recent performance by the West Coast rappers attracted some trouble for Little Switzerland, a Sonoma, Calif., polka venue not particularly known for holding events featuring lap dancing and/or simulated sex acts. Apparently Switzerland’s booking agent overlooked 2 Live’s track record with the FCC. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ... Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd. (Kimball Junction), Park City, 8 p.m. Info: 435-658-2665.

Also Friday: Underminded (Lo-Fi Café); Mannheim Steamroller (E Center).

SATURDAY 12/4

JANE MONHEIT

How many 26-year-olds prefer old standards to avant-garde explorations? Sultry jazz chanteuse Jane Monheit has built her career on a love of the past, funneling her taste for classic tunes and cinematic hits through playful, sensuous vocals. The young talent has worked with such veterans as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Diana Krall and Dianna Reeves and recently swept Hollywood with her contribution to the soundtrack of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Monheit might be poised to take on Norah, but as she told CNN, “I am sure [jazz] will always be the basis of my entire career, but who knows what I am going to be doing 10 or 20 years from now? I don’t even want to plan that out.” Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: 435-655-3114.

RON CARROLL

It’s true: City Weekly rarely gives props to world-renowned DJs. However, this disparity is likely attributed to the fact that every I Love Ibiza press release heralds the arrival of a mind-blowing artist, leaving us to wonder who really deserves the hype. It’s safe to assume Ron Carroll deserves some recognition, if only for his innovative take on tradition. The Chicago-based DJ sings gospel lyrics over house tracks and employs an impressive setup including a baby grand piano, two decks and a mixer. According to I Love Ibiza, Carroll’s last hit, “Back Together,” reaffirmed his presence as “a true dance-music legend.” Seriously. W Lounge, 358 S. West Temple, 9 p.m. Info: 359-0637.

Also Saturday: Royal Bliss CD Release (Lo-Fi Café); Aquabats (Sound); The Forgotten Carols (Dee Event Center, Ogden).

SUNDAY 12/5

JOSEPH ARTHUR

Some view hermitage as the ultimate cop out—a lifestyle choice rooted in selfish depression. Then again, solitary confinement yielded positive results for Manhattan-based singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur. The introspective musician fled Big Apple digs for a secluded studio in New Orleans to produce some of his most compelling material to date. Arthur also created the art for Our Shadows Will Remain, spooky abstract faces without eyes—the opposite of Billy Idol. Expect the unexpected when this recluse rolls into town. Sound, 579 W. 200 South. 7 p.m. Info: 359-3219.

Also Sunday: Moot Davis, Pete Anderson (Egos); Drowning Pool (Lo-Fi Café); Between the Buried & Me (Burt Murdock Music).

MONDAY 12/6

DOKKEN

In his essay, “Zen and the Art of Yngwie,” pop-culture savant Chuck Klosterman listed Dokken as being “infinitely more interesting than 99 percent of the pseudo-intellectuals currently wallowing around Alternative Nation,” thereby piquing the curiosity of young Nirvana fans unfamiliar with hair-metal’s second-string QBs. The rock veterans’ latest effort, Hell to Pay, is straight-ahead rock. According to Music Mayhem, “old fans will be happy with the classic Don Dokken sound ... his voice is holding up just fine,” and “Care For You” is the perfect sappy song for headbangers in love. Velvet Room, 145 W. 200 South, 8:30 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8849.

Also Monday: Edith Frost (Kilby Court).

TUESDAY 12/7

GWAR

None of the art students, dancers and musicians responsible for Gwar ever expected their experiment in marketing to become the greatest shock-rock spectacular since Spinal Tap. After nearly two decades of latex costumes, giant rubber monsters, fake blood and other sensory overloads, the metal quintet-plus-supplementary-characters renewed its commitment to innovative shtick with War Party, a departure from the group’s previous experimental albums. Lead singer Oderous Urungus (all members adopt pseudonyms), told Chart Attack, “We’ve been given another chance. We’re teeming with this new life and aggression.” Lo-Fi Café, 127 S. West Temple, 8 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499.

Also Tuesday: Kurt Bestor Christmas (Abravanel Hall); Keith Urban (E Center)

WEDNESDAY 12/8

Strung Out (Sound); The Chemistry (Lo-Fi Café); Tone Loc (The Standard).

COMING UP

English Beat (Velvet Room, Dec. 10). I Can Lick Any Son of a Bitch In the House (Egos, Dec. 10). Converge (Sound, Dec. 11). Aaron Carter (Peery’s Egyptian Theater, Dec. 12). Eric McFadden (Egos, Dec. 13). Bob Schneider (Suede, Dec. 15). Andy Williams Christmas (Abravanel Hall, Dec. 20). Kottonmouth Kings (In the Venue, Dec. 22). Trans-Siberian Orchestra (E Center, Dec. 30). Ty Herndon (Velvet Room, Jan. 8).