Lovin’ and Listenin’
Thursday, Jan. 26
The Visible Men, The Quags
Berbati’s Pan. 9:30 p.m. Cover. 21+
The Visible Men ?” which include two former members of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (is that a selling point?) ?” play sincere piano pop with accordion embellishment. The Quags play power pop, and who doesn’t love power pop? Bands like Big Star, The Flamin Groovies, the dBs, and … um, Phantom Planet.
Friday, Jan. 27
Tony Yayo, Spider Loc
The Roseland. 8 p.m. All Ages.
“Say ay-yo, I’ll test the yayo/Before the cheddar get away, best to get Maaco.”
OK, so that’s MF Doom and not G-Unit’s lovable rapper-that-couldn’t Tony Yayo, but I couldn’t think of a quotable Yayo line. This show is a must-see for several reasons: firstly, Yayo is actually out of jail, as opposed to the just-fakin’ routine he pulled the week of his album release; secondly, you get to see Spider Loc, The Game’s G-Unit replacement; and finally, you just might see the Yayo dance. God bless the Yayo dance.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Imogen Heap, Zoe Keating
Dante’s. 9 pm. $13.50 advance, $15 DOS. 21+
Imogen Heap has grown on me. At first I hated that Frou Frou song in Garden State and that “Hide andSeek” song on the O.C’s second season finale. But after seeing her on Letterman, I’m starting to dig her icy beats and breathy delivery. There’s something in her music that reminds me of 4AD artists like the Cocteau Twins or Paula Frasier, minus all the ambient weirdness, of course.
Monday, Jan. 30
KT Tunstall, Willy Mason
Doug Fir. 9 p.m. $5. 21+
Willy Mason is signed to Conor Oberst’s Team Love label (worst label name ever) and has been compared to Leonard Cohen (in his press release). He’s a teenager singing earnest folk, so quite obviously, he doesn’t understand why we just can’t all get along. He wants to stop war and youth apathy and political corruption, and gosh darn it, if he just sings hard enough, he just might be able to. C’mon everyone, sing along!
Tuesday, Jan. 31
Mad Professor, Hurt Bird
Doug Fir. 9 p.m. $10 adv. 21+
The Mad Professor rules! Having worked with everyone from Lee “Scratch” Perry to Massive Attack, the dude is keepin’ the dub alive. And that’s a good thing.
