BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW, THE HOOD INTERNET, OSCILLATOR BUG
(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE César E. Chávez) Enigmatic Pittsburgh oddballs Black Moth Super Rainbow's hushed, synth-led experiments with psychedelic electro-pop are engrossing, sinister, and strangely accessible on their most recent effort Cobra Juicy. If you can fight your way through their die-hard fans to see them at the Hawthorne, there's every chance you'll get an unsettling yet blissful contact high. ALEX ROSS

SHOUT OUT LOUDS, HAERTS
(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) Daft Punk's much anticipated album Random Access Memories is physically released in the US today, and it's one of the biggest musical disappointments in recent memory, in which the French EDM pioneers opt for a lightly disco-tinged, incredibly repetitive album of soft rock that would send Christopher Cross into snoozes of boredom. While it seems obvious Daft Punk is reaching for the sort of jetstream adult-contempo that likely filled their parents' record collection (Serge Gainsbourg, Air Supply, Alan Parsons Project, possibly Floyd), they approach it like EDM, locking in their programmed, quantized sequences and letting them play for minutes on end with absolutely no development and no drama. For a completely successful, absolutely lovely version of the kind of airbrushed, slick, easy-listening Europop that Daft Punk has utterly bungled, turn your ears instead to Shout Out Louds. The Stockholm quintet's fourth album, Optica, is a gorgeous, wide-eyed, perfectly posed collection of gentle rock with not a single mussed hair or note out of place. Eighties-gazing singles like "Illusions" and "Walking in Your Footsteps" continue Shout Out Louds' string of wistful, highly processed pop songs, done with absolute mastery. NED LANNAMANN

AND AND AND, SAMA DAMS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) Though some musicians sound undeniably better with the benefit of a production studio and engineers, And And And sound drastically different. This can be a good thing. For example, I sometimes enjoy hearing their songs played at a relatively soft level, and I think the arrangements on Lost glow with the warmth of 1,000 sunsets. The downside is that the recordings capture nothing of the depravity, the loudness, the punk-rock spirit of their live shows. Not until now. In a fortunate development for posterity, And And And are the latest installment of Live from the Banana Stand, that beloved local series of sonic time capsules in the form of live albums. Finally, I can fit the frenzied chaos of And And And right in my pocket. There are several new and unreleased songs here, but the real pleasure is the raw, unfiltered versions of songs that I've grown so used to hearing in their mixed-and-mastered state. REBECCA WILSON

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FABOLOUS, PUSHA T, PORTLAND EXPRESS, SUPANOVA, MR. C, CASPA
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) Two nice men named "Fabulous" and "Pusher Tee" [He means Fabolous and Pusha T. Sigh.—Eds.] will perform an uplifting array of danceable tunes. They also are good at wordplay. AKA "rap," like what you do when you go to your friend's apartment and the door is locked and you hope they didn't fall in the bathtub and die. I'm old! DENIS C. THERIAULT

STAY CALM, WEEK OF WONDERS, WL, SURFS DRUGS
(Rotture, 315 SE 3rd) A few years ago, Orca Team were among the best bands in Portland that not many people paid attention to. They garnered a smattering of local press and played at all the "right" bars, but something about the band just didn't seem to connect with Portland audiences. The band packed their things and relocated to Seattle, made a single record (2012's excellent Restraint, which almost blew up), and called it quits. But here's the good news: Former Orca Team bassist/ringleader Leif Anders' new band, Week of Wonders, is essentially a continuation of his previous project, and it's terrific in all the same ways. The group's debut EP Failures is a quintessentially Pacific Northwest take on beach pop that manages to be nostalgic and reminiscent of I-vi-IV-V shit without ever being too desperately "retro." But most importantly, stripped of their aesthetic, the songs are fundamentally great. If Failures isn't an indication we've been taking Anders for granted, I don't know what is. MORGAN TROPER

BRAHMS' FIRST SYMPHONY: OREGON SYMPHONY
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) Achtung, procrastinators: Did you promise yourself you'd finally catch at least one Oregon Symphony concert this classical season? If so, heads up that tonight, tomorrow, and Monday mark the very last shows of 2012/2013, so get your skinny-jeaned asses in gear and grab some tix before the band embarks on their richly deserved summer vacay. Maestro Carlos Kalmar and the gang kick off this glorious program with a rousing seven-minute overture from Franz von Suppé before turning things over to guest soloist Jennifer Koh—a globally acclaimed fiddler who I guarantee will dazzle the crowd with a brilliant Hungarian violin concerto by Béla Bartók. Following Ms. Koh's gypsy virtuosity, Stumplandia's ultimate cover band will soar with the old-school sounds of Brahms' massive Symphony No. 1. Jesus H. Christ, people, pass up the PlayStation and nix the Netflix for just one goddamn night. It's high time for some fucking culture... unplug and get you some at the Schnitz! ANGRY SYMPHONY GUY

HURT, WITCHBURN, CELLAR DOOR, ELEMENT 57, MOHAWK YARD
(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE César E. Chávez) Read our article on Witchburn.

ALELA DIANE, VIKESH KAPOOR, BARNA HOWARD
(Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott) Churches are an entirely appropriate place to experience the tears-inducing loveliness of Alela Diane's ever-so-slightly-trance folk, replete with poignant lyrics about family, nature, and lovers. It's the latter that's the focus of the forthcoming About Farewell, due out next month. Here's your chance to preview it in the formerly holy confines of Portland Playhouse. MARJORIE SKINNER

SPECK MOUNTAIN, ANDREW GRAHAM AND THE SWARMING BRANCH, THE SLIDELLS
(Valentine's, 232 SW Ankeny) Fans of Opal, Kendra Smith, Mazzy Star, and Hope Sandoval should devote some quality headphone time to Speck Mountain. The Chicago band's lazed, glazed rock locks into the same time-stopping beauty-mongering of those artists' mellowest meanderings. On albums like Summer Above, Some Sweet Relief, and Badwater, Speck Mountain eke out gorgeous, laidback melodies marked by Marie-Claire Balabanian's consolingly downcast vocals and her and Karl Briedrick's dewy, bejeweled guitar textures. Easy does it, over and over, for Speck Mountain—who are promising a cover of Alex Chilton's jaunty "Hey! Little Child" on this tour. DAVE SEGAL

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I CAN LICK ANY SONOFABITCH IN THE HOUSE, SEPARATION OF SANITY, JACKRABBIT, MATT WOODS
(Dante's, 350 W Burnside) "They don't make men like Andy Griffith anymore," sings I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House's grizzled frontman Mike Damron on his band's new LP, Mayberry. It could be argued that they don't make guys like Damron anymore either. The band's long been a staple of the Northwest's Southern-fried punk underground, sharing stages with such touring acts as Drag the River, Two Cow Garage, and more. On their new album, ICLASOBITH treads familiar territory: Mike D's ongoing fuck you to conformity, spliced with tender, anthemic diatribes on family values, government, and religion. The energy of the band's beginning stages remains very much alive, which you can chalk up to the consistency in their lineup, from the rhythm section of Mole Harris and Flapjack Texas, to the fantastic harpist Dave Lipkind, to lead guitarist Handsome Jon. This release show will be a rocker. RYAN J. PRADO

MIC CRENSHAW, REDRAY FRAZIER, FINGERPAINT AFRO JAZZ, DJ DEFF RO
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) Local emcee Mic Crenshaw may choose to call Portland home, but it's abundantly clear that his musical influence extends far beyond the borders of our town. A recent trip to six cities in Africa as part of the Afrikan Hiphop Caravan found him touring with the likes of political rappers Dead Prez, who then found time to record the track "Superheros" with Crenshaw, featuring production by Maestro of D-12. Tonight marks the release of a new EP for Crenshaw, titled Bionic Metal. The resulting effort is an ode to his Midwestern roots, with prominent shoutouts to Minneapolis. It also finds him in the precarious position of rapping over rock production, a move which thankfully ends up sounding more like the Judgment Night soundtrack than it does Limp Bizkit. RYAN FEIGH

DON AND THE QUIXOTES, FRUIT OF THE LEGION OF LOOM, THEE HEADLINERS, GHOST TRAIN
(Kenton Club, 2025 N Kilpatrick) It took 10 years for Portland's own Fruit of the Legion of Loom to release its first album, but Humandatory Genocide is now an actual thing, and one that will surely burn up the hit parade. After all, nothing says chart success like "instrumental concept album," and Legion of Loom's zooming, gonzo shredding is the sort of thing that makes music writers type words that wouldn't otherwise exist in the English language, like "frenetic" and "skronk." There are three acts to the sci-fi themed Humandatory Genocide, and the story itself is all laid out inside the CD booklet, although I doubt it will help much to get your bearings. Instead, sit back and let the instru-mental (sorry, another bullshit music critic tactic) trio's mathy, metal-tinged, progressive delirium work you over. Tonight's CD release is also the release show for Teflon Don, album number two from surf-rockers Don and the Quixotes. NED LANNAMANN

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MAN OR ASTRO-MAN?, AUDACITY
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) One of the most prolific bands of the '90s, Man or Astro-man? is still successfully blurring surf punk with spacey synth to produce an entirely original sound. Their latest release is called Defcon 5... 4... 3... 2... 1, and while still sporting their trademark space surf vibe, they seem to be heavier and goofier (in a good way) than ever. WM™ STEVEN HUMPHREY

THE PAUL COLLINS BEAT, BLUE SKIES FOR BLACK HEARTS, THE CRY, THEE FOUR TEENS
(East End, 203 SE Grand) Paul Collins recorded an album in 2010 called The King of Power Pop, a title that might come off as a bit ostentatious if there weren't some truth to it. Collins formed the Nerves—the short-lived LA power trio—back in the late '70s with Peter Case and Jack Lee. From there he formed the Beat, whose 1979 debut is still one of the catchiest slabs of power pop around. That was a long time ago, but good pop songs never go out of style. Over the past few years Collins has been pushing to turn "power pop" into a movement. I can't imagine that involves much, except some good ol'-fashioned gripping and ripping. I mean, everyone's a sucker for a good pop song, right? MARK LORE

A SIMPLE COLONY, SWANSEA,
RITCHIE YOUNG
(Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan) Michael Dodson and Lara Michell are A Simple Colony, and their first album Make It Start runs a wide gamut of styles, most falling into some category of careful, minor-key ballad. With acoustic and electronic textures and Dodson's pliable voice, the band escapes the trap of seeming scattered and unfocused—rather, A Simple Colony seem fully in command of all its various guises. The duo often performs acoustically on their own, but tonight's CD release show will likely see them in their full-band incarnation with bassist Nancy Hess, keyboardist Rebecca Sanborn, and drummer Ned Failing. NED LANNAMANN

MORNING RITUAL, DE LA WARR
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Read our article on Morning Ritual.

BLACK PUS, DEEP FRIED BOOGIE BAND
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) Read our article on Black Pus.

YO LA TENGO
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Yo La Tengo's latest release Fade—the band's 13th—has been universally well received, not because the band is breaking new ground necessarily, but because it's a perfect extension of what's come before. The record—whose cover shot was taken at Portland's Overlook Park—proves that, some 30 years later, Yo La Tengo can do no wrong. The band's music has always incorporated just the right amount of noise and beauty. And their leisurely observations have made an impression on a number of artists, including Jeff Tweedy and Barbara Manning. The term "indie" has been grossly overused, but as long as Yo La Tengo keeps putting out records, it will always mean something to somebody. MARK LORE Also see My, What a Busy Week!

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THE BLACK ANGELS, HANNI EL KHATIB, WALL OF DEATH
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Read our article on the Black Angels.

WHITE FANG, COLLEEN GREEN, HEAVY HAWAII, COMASERFS
(Star Theater, 13 NW 6th) Shooting pleasure levels rocket-high, Colleen Green's new album Sock It to Me dips sparkly mall pop in thick layers of guitar crunch, resulting in something like deep-fried ice cream—crispy, sweet, messy, and both hot and totally cool. Green shares the bill with heart-warmingly degenerate rockers White Fang, who really, really want to party with you. NED LANNAMANN

MILK CARTON KIDS, THE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT
(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) The most successful folk duos have been one of three things: emotionally earnest, politically earnest, or earnestly satirical. The Milk Carton Kids are all of these things or, possibly, none. (Their satirical tendencies are reserved for onstage banter.) For people overcome with crushing nostalgia for the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, but who can no longer take the lyrics to, say, "Bridge over Troubled Water" seriously, the Milk Carton Kids fill an important, albeit specific, niche. With close harmonies and lyrics that don't seem to have been written by Holden Caulfield, the Milk Carton Kids make music that is pleasant and lovely and could potentially trick a boomer into thinking a few songs are long-lost S&G B-sides. Their second album, The Ash and Clay, is folk music for the masses, tiptoeing around themes of love and politics, but not in a way you'd really notice if you aren't looking for it. REBECCA WILSON

WAMPIRE, WILD ONES, DJ PREACHER TEACHER
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Read our article on Wampire.

JIM JAMES, COLD SPECKS
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) You know him as the singer of My Morning Jacket, or as one of the Monsters of Folk, or as Yim Yames... get to know the man behind that high lonesome voice, as Jim James hits the Crystal Ballroom in support of his first solo album, the majestic sounding and extravagantly titled Regions of Light and Sound of God. NED LANNAMANN

YEAH GREAT FINE, HATS OFF, COUCHES
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) It's been a while since we've heard from Yeah Great Fine. After releasing their 2011 Circadian EP and a following tour, the band took a break as drummer Dave Hires entered rehab for alcoholism. He wrote this friendly note to the Mercury: "It was actually really great! After the dust settled, we were all still friends and I've been staying out of trouble (10 months sober as of a couple days ago), but the band seemed doomed to fade into the ether. Luckily happenstance intervened: Jake [Hershman, guitarist] decided he was moving to California, so it was now or never. We've been practicing hard for a couple of months and we sound fucking pretty rad. This will be our reunion and last show ever at the same time." A very big congrats to Hires for his sobriety, and now it's time to say a tearful farewell to Yeah Great Fine, an immensely gifted Portland band that balances tricky rhythms and techniques with catchy, feel-good sounds. NL

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BIG BOI, KILLER MIKE
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) Outkast largely put itself on ice after 2006's Idlewild, but Big Boi has picked up the baton, releasing two high-powered albums that keep the group's signature Southern funk intact, and expanding. Like a hurricane. His latest, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, swirls punk and indie rock and pop rap into the fury. Someone keep an eye on the levies. DIRK VANDERHART

THE APPLESEED CAST, HOSPITAL SHIPS, UGLY COLORS, FOR THE LIFE OF ME
(Backspace, 115 NW 5th) When I think of Kansas, unpleasant things generally come to mind—those bigots in Topeka, that bigot in the governor's mansion. But that's not quite fair because, for the past 14 years, the Appleseed Cast have been continuously innovating rock, always slightly below the radar. Now they are touring behind their excellent seventh album, Illumination Ritual, along with fellow Lawrencians Hospital Ships. But the Appleseed Cast almost didn't make it out this time: A traffic accident in Kansas earlier this month destroyed a bunch of gear and did expensive damage to their tour van and trailer. Eight thousand dollars in damage, in fact. They've raised enough cash to continue the tour, but could still use your help; $15 on their Bandcamp will get you a copy of the new album, a moody, mathy rock composition. Frontman Chris Crisci switches up personnel with every album, and this one is no exception. The lyrics, written exclusively in the middle of the night, are the surreal accompaniment to ambient electronics and the complex rhythms of Nathan Wilder. REBECCA WILSON

ST. JOHNS BIZARRE: ANCIENT HEAT, BLUE CRANES, 1939 ENSEMBLE, KIM BAXTER, ORQUESTRA PACIFICO TROPICAL
(St. Johns Plaza, N Lombard & Philadelphia) St. Johns has come a long way since weirdo writer Jim Goad luridly described it as the "glans" of North Portland. It's not as remote as anyone thinks. And, brace for it... maybe it's actually kind of cool now? See for yourself at the seventh annual St. Johns Bizarre and Parade, an homage to Americana (with better food and music). DENIS C. THERIAULT

OF MONTREAL, WILD MOCCASINS
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Just knowing that Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes took refuge in a self-imposed "isolation experiment" in San Francisco, taking creative cues from Gram Parsons and Sylvia Plath, should be enough to make you excited about his band's upcoming album. The not-yet-released, and presumably less frenetic Lousy with Sylvianbriar (due out in the fall sometime) follows Of Montreal's 2012 freak-dance hodgepodge Paralytic Stalks, an album that saw the band's eclectic muses entrenched pretty deeply within disco-punk patterns, somehow still having enough energy left over to be creatively daring. The band's chameleonic bent is also the subject of a career-spanning Kickstarter-funded documentary called Song Dynasties, currently in post-production. You will not regret attending this show. RYAN J. PRADO

DENVER, LEWI LONGMIRE
(Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington) Denver make a big deal of their drunkenness, but I don't know. It makes for a humorous press release, but I just can't imagine how perpetually intoxicated people could come up with arrangements as perfectly thrilling as those on, for example, "Reno," off their self-titled debut. And there is not even a hint of a slur or a quaver in the lyrical duties shared by songwriters Birger Olsen, Mike Elias, and Tom Bevitori. This is non-ironic country at its finest: steel guitar, mournful emotion, and tongues that could not be further from their cheeks. Their sound would be equally at home in a barn or a concert hall, which, given their connections, is probably where they will land. Contributing to their growing cred, they are about to open a string of dates for venerable folk rocker James McMurtry. REBECCA WILSON

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NIGHT MECHANIC, THE RARITIES, DJ CHARLES AUSTIN
(Record Room, 8 NE Killingsworth) Read our article on Night Mechanic.

SUN ANGLE, NICE NICE, LIKE A VILLAIN
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Read our article on Sun Angle.

KPSU KRUISE: ONUINU, GRANDPARENTS
(Portland Spirit, SW Salmon & Naito) Slap on a goofy smile and your favorite topsiders to dance the ever-loving poop deck off the Portland Spirit for the KPSU Kruise. Boogie on a BOAT to the infectious groove of Onuinu! At MIDNIGHT! With a FULL BAR! It's part of the college radio station's string of fundraising events to get an FM signal. COURTNEY FERGUSON

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MAKE IT POP!
(The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th) PDX Pop Now!'s annual fundraiser, Make It Pop!, is a great way to support local all-ages music, and it's a terrific concert, this year with Kelli Schaefer, Monarques, Grandparents, Ezza Rose, and DJ Jeremy Petersen. Throw in a raffle, free hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and the announcement of this year's PDX Pop Now! compilation tracklist, this is the feel-good party of the season. NED LANNAMANN

TALKDEMONIC, GRAMMIES, HATS OFF
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Talkdemonic is now a full-fledged four-piece. The duo of drummer Kevin O'Connor and violist Lisa Molinaro have added bassist Jay Winebrenner and multi-instrumentalist Dustin Dybvig to the ranks—we got a sneak peak of the expanded lineup back in February, when they performed under the cryptic name VioHazard at Bunk Bar. Now it's official, and with eight hands on deck, Talkdemonic's twisting, stirring instrumental landscapes are more fluid and dramatic than ever before. NL

THE DANDELYONS, THE LAURELS, MIRACLE FALLS
(Kelly's Olympian, 426 SW Washington) Sydney quartet the Laurels have been making resonant ripples in the psychedelic underground with their Plains album. It's a shiver-inducing blend of trippy shoegaze rock with lysergic-cotton-candy melodies and mellow male/female vocals that sound like extended, distant sighs. The playability factor's sky high. DAVE SEGAL

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT RETURNS PARTY
(Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison) For the army of Arrested Development fans who made a fourth season happen—this party is for YOU! The Arrested Development Returns Party features musical acts Tango Alpha Tango, Animal Eyes, the We Shared Milk, and DJ Trim Jones, PLUS a chicken dance-off, a Bluth family costume contest, AND banana drink specials! As Gob would say, "C'MON!!" WM.™ STEVEN HUMPHREY

JAVELIN, HELADO NEGRO, JAMAICAN QUEENS
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Brooklyn-based cousins George Langford and Tom Van Buskirk's past releases as Javelin have been quirky blends of bouncing beats and grooves made up of homemade sounds from samplers, thumb pianos, drum machines, and other instruments. For their latest release, Hi Beams, the duo ditch their DIY approach for a more traditional—and, unfortunately, much less interesting—studio-recorded pop sound similar to a sea of other Brooklyn indie acts. The new approach could, however, translate much better to a live setting. South Florida's Helado Negro (AKA Roberto Carlos Lange, who's collaborated with Guillermo Scott Herren—AKA Prefuse 73—as Savath y Savalas) makes his own brand of homegrown tropical pop that soothes rather than bores with its breezy, sun-bleached sound and overdubbed, reverb-tinged, (mostly) Spanish vocals. MIKE RAMOS

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE, TJUTJUNA, FIST FITE
(Star Theater, 13 NW 6th) With an endless list of releases, Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. remain one of the most prolific heavy psych bands in the world. And it goes beyond music. For the past two decades ringleader Kawabata Makoto has created a world beyond most of our understandings, one of decadence fueled by drugs and carnal pleasure and sound. These Japanese trippers are the real deal. Acid Mothers Temple's influence here in the States can't be measured, and you'll hear one of the band's disciples tonight in Tjutjuna. Be prepared to be taken on a trip that will last long after the music has ended. MARK LORE

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