Music Picks 

LYRICS BORN

For the most part, “remixed” albums feature tired old tracks retread with Latin rhythms or funky beats. Lyrics Born, on the other hand, screws around with his material until it becomes something else entirely. On Same !@#$ Different Day, a collection of eight remixes plus five new songs, LB adds more lyrics and unique beats with the help of seasoned producers and remixers including DJ Shadow, Dan the Automator, Chief Xcel (Blackalicious), Morcheeba, DJ Spinna, Young Einstein (Ugly Duckling) and Jumbo the Garbageman (Lifesavas). Guest vocalists Joyo Velarde, KRS-One, Evidence (of Dilated Peoples), Lateef the Truth Speaker, E-40, and Casual put the final touches on an album that will never be confused for another. Check out the original LB tonight. Egos, 668 S. State, 10 p.m. Info: 521-5255, ClubEgos.com.

SALTY FROGS

Prior to the Salty Frogs’ final Showdown to SXSW performance, most locals didn’t pay much mind to electric fiddles. In the hands of classically trained violinist Bronwen Beecher, however, the overlooked instrument was impossible to ignore. Her skill, precision and dynamite moves won over a crowd of indie rockers and metal fans, most of whom made a mental note to check out the Frogs on a later date. Tonight’s your chance to reconnect, St. Paddy’s style, with Beecher, Lisa Marie, Derek Wright and Mark Towner Williams. Huka Bar & Grill, 151 E. 6100 South, 9 p.m. Info: 281-4852.

SALT CITY BANDITS

The Salt City Bandits roll with the punches just as naturally as they throw them. When the tough-as-nails punk-rock act lost to Tolchock Trio at this year’s Showdown to SXSW, they held their heads high and resolved to come back tighter and better than ever. They also recognized that one setback paled in comparison to the many successes achieved in a couple of whirlwind years, including the continued popularity of 2004’s self-titled release on which alcohol, specifically whiskey, is a central theme'so much so that Murphy’s Bar & Grill now carries several drink specials named after SCB songs. Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, 9 p.m. Info: 364-8347, ClubVegas.org.

Also Friday: Girls Rise With Heat (Kilby Court); Tiger Army (In the Venue); Irish Brothers (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Punk Rock Karaoke (Egos); MacAbillys (Piper Down); Ayin (Liquid Joe’s); Daniel Day Trio (Circle Lounge); Zilla (Suede, Park City); Electric Six (Urban Lounge'see Music)

BENJI CANDELARIO

Some are freaking over the looming January 2009 smoking ban in local private clubs and pretty much everywhere indoors, but plenty of local nightspots are ahead of their time'like State Street’s Circle Lounge, new home to the ever-hot I Love Ibiza series, kicking off this weekend with international DJ/producer Benji Candelario (left). The veteran house/garage/tech DJ will be spinning in what I Love Ibiza calls “Salt Lake City’s classiest club,” and with this cosmopolitan vibe and free-flowing sushi all night (and don’t forget the no-smoking thing), there’s little argument to be had. The Circle Lounge, 328 S. State, Saturday March 18, 8 p.m. Info: 531-5400, ILoveIbiza.us (with Jesse Walker).

Also Saturday: Corner Pocket, Amber Alert (Todd’s Bar & Grill); Stillborn, Miranda Project (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); I Love Ibiza: Benji Candelario (Circle Lounge)

Brutally Frank, Salt Town Greasers (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

BETH ORTON

Comfort of Strangers might sound like the title of some cheesy TV movie of the week, but Beth Orton’s fourth full-length album is anything but cliché and contrived. In fact, it might be the folk-rock singer-songwriter’s most personal, authentic recording to date. Orton made a point to include minimal overdubs on the 14-track release, an effort that yielded plenty of space for her unique, somewhat off-kilter voice to rise and fall like the bulk of her subject matter'love’s incessant ups and downs: “I know I’m going to cry, but I’m going to laugh about it all in time.” In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 7 p.m. Tickets: 24tix.com.

Also Monday: Funeral for a Friend (Avalon Theater)

HELLACOPTERS, TAYLOR HAWKINS

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins is nothing like the lead character in Office Space, a man who could quite happily do nothing day in and day out. Hawkins doesn’t believe in breaks. Holiday periods drive him mad, which is why he recently launched a solo project with his brother and a couple of pals known collectively as the Coattail Riders. The result is a solid pop-rock debut disc in the vein of Foo. Can Hawkins make it on his own? Worked out pretty well for Dave Grohl. In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 9 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

RHETT MILLER

While Rhett Miller is technically pursuing a solo career, the Old 97s frontman is rarely alone. On The Believer, he keeps good company with Rachel Yamagata, Lyle Workman, Matt Chamberlain and The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris. His second album is tighter and livelier than 2002’s The Instigator, his backing band supplying a stronger platform to support heart-on-sleeve, alt-country pop songs. Miller apparently wrote Believer’s first track after learning Elliot Smith committed suicide, but while much of the content is rooted in grief, the outcome is decidedly hopeful: “It’s what the Beatles talked about. That in the midst of all the meaningless, there’s that. There’s love.” Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd, (Kimball Junction), Park City, 9:30 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmitsTix.com.

Also Tuesday: Double Dipped Cream Dream (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); The Dirtbombs (Urban Lounge'see Music)

THE VELVET TEEN

Gosh, Judah Nagler’s voice sure is purdy! The Velvet Teen’s cherubic mouthpiece sounds like ribbons of dark-chocolate icing slices of sugary indie-rock. The Bay Area trio makes sure to include a couple of healthy ingredients, namely heart-healthy tracks including “Captive Audience,” whose slow pace lingers over determined piano and strings'a far cry from the precious pop of “Naked Girl.” It’s slow and sultry. It’s hmmm, hmmm good. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24tix.com (with Ex-Boyfriends).

45 Grave (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, March 23). Moot Davis & Pete Anderson (Egos, March 23). Dwight Yoakam (The Depot, March 30). An Albatross (Kilby Court, March 31). James Blunt (The Depot, March 31). Clumsy Lovers (Egos, March 31). Guster (McKay Events Center, March 31). Gogol Bordello (Suede, March 31). Dresden Dolls (In the Venue, April 3). The Bad Plus (The Depot, April 6). The Living Things (The Depot, April 12). Dinosaur Jr. (The Depot, April 16).