Music Forecast 11.5-11.11: Diverse, Vanessa Carlton, Awolnation, Apocalypse Meow, and Parquet Courts

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Vanessa Carlton

In 2002, Vanessa Carlton released her debut full-length, Be Not Nobody. Unless you were indisposed for all of that year, you’ll recall the album’s leading single, “A Thousand Miles.” Carlton was a ripe 20 years old when that record was certified platinum, and she was nominated for several Grammy Awards. More than a decade later, none of Carlton’s subsequent releases had managed to stick as much as her first — until this year’s Liberman. Worlds away from the bubblegum earnestness of the early aughts, these 10 songs are quiet, reflective and enchanting. Easily one of the year’s most underrated pop albums, Liberman guides the listener through a dreamscape, with Carlton finally finding her post-hype voice. And we couldn’t be happier to have her back in the limelight.

Friday, November 6, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence,
785-841-5483)

Diverse Plays Michael Jackson and the Buhs

Here’s a little secret: Whenever the lauded group Diverse Jazz (trumpeter Hermon Mehari, bassist Ben Leifer and drummer Ryan J. Lee) expands its lineup to perform Michael Jackson covers, it’s technically the same group as the Buhs, which includes singers Anthony Saunders, Julia Haile, Lee Langston and rapper Reach. But the Buhs plays sparingly — it’s tough scheduling all that talent at the same time — and the much celebrated Diverse Plays Michael Jackson happens with even less frequency. Which is why Friday’s two-for-one sets at Knuckleheads — first, original Buhs tunes, then MJ — feel like an early Christmas present.

Friday, November 6, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Awolnation

Aaron Bruno — better known as the singer, songwriter and producer of Awolnation — caught everyone’s attention in 2011 when his bombastic “Sail” dominated Billboard’s Hot 100 for 79 weeks (setting a record that has since been broken, but still). Four years later, Bruno is back with Run, and while there’s nothing here as singularly brilliant as “Sail,” there’s much to like. Run ambitiously seeks to marry heavy metal, EDM and chamber pop. The result can sound fractured, but it’s never boring.

Sunday, November 8, the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)

Apocalypse Meow

The Midwest Music Foundation’s annual fundraiser — in honor of co-founder Abigail Henderson, who died of cancer in 2013 — is split over two nights this year. The first takes place Friday at Recordbar, with blues band Chris Meck & the Guilty Birds, the weird and wild Drop a Grand, and Amy Farrand & the Like. The blowout show is Sunday at Knuckleheads, with eight genre-spanning bands: power-pop giants Yes You Are, country darling Sara Morgan, garage-pop loudmouths Westerners, plus sets from Federation of Horsepower, the Noise FM, Me Like Bees and Jessica Paige. Even without a benefit attached, either of these nights would be well worth your time.

Friday, November 6, RecordBar (1020 Westport Rd., 816-753-5207)

Sunday, November 8, Knuckleheads Saloon (2517 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Parquet Courts

Brooklyn’s Parquet Courts isn’t attached to the usual trappings of popular music — like, say, melodic beauty or vocal proficiency. Frontman Andrew Savage has a disparaging deadpan that recalls an early Patti Smith, without the quirks. One could assume that he’s purposely trying to sound off-key, except that his caring about sounding any particular way at all is likely not a high priority. But it would be unfair to write off Parquet Courts as slacker rock. There’s something measured and sonically deft about last year’s Content Nausea. Small gems embedded in that album, such as the warm brass section on “Pretty Machines,” prove that Savage might care more than he lets on.

Wednesday, November 11, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence 785-841-5483)