Thursday 4/27
nnMARIA TAYLOR
nnIt’s a slow day for Maria Taylor news. The former Azure Ray/Now It’s Overhead vocalist hasn’t produced any new material since her last stop through town. Of course, that won’t keep local fans from singing along to “Song Beneath the Song,” “Speak Easy,” or other tracks off 2005’s 11:11 (which, by the way, is a trillion times better than Sugar Ray’s 14:59). Considering the 29-year-old singer/songwriter started performing around the time most kids are just trying to get a grip on puberty, cycled through three bands and took on the extra weight of a solo project, Taylor deserves some time off from studio recording. In the meantime, take comfort in her live performance'one that’s possibly more powerful when whispered. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with 13 Ghosts and Swans of Never).
nnAlso Thursday: Receiving End of Sirens (Avalon Theater); Pinback (The Depot)
nnFriday 4/28
nnPRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES
nnAndrea Zollo, the voice behind Pretty Girls Make Graves, has a set of pipes that challenge listeners with their alternately gorgeous and awkward glory. Tracks off the Seattle quintet’s latest release Elan Vital succeed or stumble on the strength of her inflection. The entire album seems to be a shooting range for Zollo’s schizophrenic style. Each track projects restless ambition, from the slow-paced lyrics on “Pyrite Pedestal” to the robotic “Domino” and muffled rock-steady glory of “Selling the Wind.” Considering the group is often tagged as a predictable post-dance-punk, memorable inconsistency is a very good thing. Avalon Theater, 3605 S. State, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.
nnDEVOTCHKA
nnWhy Devotchka isn’t selling out stadiums and high-profile nightclubs is a downright mystery. It seems even the combined powers of Colombo, Jessica Fletcher and the Scooby-Doo crew couldn’t figure out why Denver’s most eclectic troupe remains unsigned. Their past three albums generated much buzz about sousaphones, accordions and Nick Urata’s sultry, film-noir vocals. They also appealed to cinephiles by agreeing to score Little Miss Sunshine, a dark Sundance comedy slated for summer release. Maybe their latest six-song EP will win over clueless label execs. Short and sweet, the record covers classics by Siouxsie & the Banshees, Velvet Underground, Frank Sinatra and other talented, signed artists. Egos, 668 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-5255.
nnBOOK OF MAPS
nnRecipe for Book of Maps: Stop, start and shred. Start again. Wail off-key. Bark orders. Repeat. Serve with a side of silly song titles (i.e. “Your Girl is Like A-Sharp, She B-Flat” and “Evander Brolyfield vs. Riddick Browe”). A steady diet of the Portland math-rock trio will fulfill weekly requirements for technical jams, complicated chord structures and free-for-all vocals. Pinched for time? Pick up II, an aptly named, ready-to-consume sophomore release. Enjoy. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Info: 746-0557.
nnAlso Friday: Mike Doughty (In the Venue'see Music); Shaggy 2 Dope (Great Saltair); Shiny Toy Guns (Velour, Provo); Mushman, Band of Annuals (Kayo)
nnSaturday 4/29
nnTHE SOUNDS
nnIf Sahara Hotnights toned down their balls-to-the-wall rock, added a keyboardist and tossed in a few dudes, they might be confused for The Sounds. That’s about what it would take to justify comparisons between the two Swedish bands. Besides the obvious electronic divide, The Sounds seem more poised to dance than break bottles over hecklers’ heads. Their latest album Dying to Say This to You is a nice dose of confident punk-pop perfect for grooving on and off the dance floor. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge. In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with Morningwood and Action Action).
nnAlso Saturday: Mellowdrone (Urban Lounge); Twisted Irony (Club Vegas); Dave Cragun Rememberance Celebration (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Ayin, Invisible Rays, Spork (Todd’s Bar & Grill); DJ Matty B & MC WB (Harry O’s, Park City)
nnSunday 4/30
nnThe Helio Sequence (Kayo Gallery); Casual Lust (Captain’s Quarters); Gutbucket (Monk’s); Dirty Birds (Urban Lounge'see Music)
nnMonday 5/1
nnPeachcake, Femme Fatality (Kilby Court); Eric McFadden Trio (Brewskis, Ogden)
nnTuesday 5/2
nnMOGWAI
Matador Records’ reaction to a recent so-so Mogwai review from those Brit twits at NME: “Apparently, the NME gave the ‘Friend of the Night’ single a dud review. How a sensitive quintet like Mogwai might respond to such a blow to their burgeoning career, we have no idea, but we did give some consideration to shutting down the entire Matador label and packing it all in, Jonestown-style.” Mogwai is holding up just fine, and the new Mr. Beast is the usually electro-spacey and “sensitive” Scottish band’s most realized and immediate rock set yet'hence the harsh from NME, probably. As for Matador, no one seems to be answering the phones … The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 9 p.m. Tickets: DepotSLC.com.
nnnACID MOTHERS TEMPLE
nnSome band names are deceiving. Eagles of Death Metal, for example, are neither raptors nor purveyors of hardcore. Acid Mothers Temple, on the other hand, is a pretty accurate label for a group so trippy, it might take some serious hallucinogens to make it through one of their live sets. Swirling guitars taunt out-of-control drums while some tortured ghoul moans in fits and starts until someone’s head explodes. It’s just another day at the office for Japan’s premier psych-rock collective, but everyone else would be wise to preview one of their 20-plus albums before entering a temple crazier than doom. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Info: 746-0557
nnAlso Tuesday: Mogwai (The Depot); Eric McFadden Trio (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)
nnWednesday 5/3
nnI.R.A.T.E. (Avalon Theater); High on Fire, Goatwhore (Club Vegas); Dick Dale (Liquid Joe’s)
nnCOMING UP
nnBT (The Depot, May 5). Imogen Heap (In the Venue, May 6). Sigur Ros (The Depot, May 6). Tech N9ne (Great Saltair, May 6). The Aquabats (In the Venue, May 9). Jucifer (Egos, May 10). The Slackers (The Depot, May 11). Kelly Joe Phelps (Egos, May 13). Ministry (Great Saltair, May 14). Gomez (Suede, May 17). De La Soul (Harry O’s, May 19). Wolfmother (In the Venue, May 23). Theo & the Skyscrapers (Urban Lounge, May 24). Matt Costa (Avalon, May 25). D.R.I. (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, May 25). The Fall (The Depot, May 25). Gretchen Wilson (Usana Amphitheater, June 3). DJ Quik (Harry O’s, June 3). The Walkmen (In the Venue, June 6). The Eels (The Depot, June 6).