Music Forecast 4.16–4.22: Alan Jackson, Drive-By Truckers, Langhorne Slim, Sufjan Stevens, and more

Twin Shadow
Anyone who came of age in the 1980s will recognize the sounds on George Lewis Jr.’s latest full-length, Eclipse. It’s a synth-tastic expedition of that decade’s pearls — from the epic drum parts falling like ground-shaking footsteps to the melodramatic our-love-versus-the-world lyrics. Lewis, who performs as Twin Shadow, has the sort of high-fructose, power-pop voice that lends credence to such designs; despite the soap-opera emotions that unfold in his songs, Eclipse still comes off highly danceable.

Thursday, April 16, at the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence,
785-842-1390)

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson stands as the golden exception to all that country haters claim to scorn. Despite the Country Music Hall of Famer’s chart-topping career, his songs draw from a pool of topics deeper than pickups and cheap beer. (Though, when the moment calls for such a reference, Jackson does not deny it.) And no matter what he’s singing about, the man’s voice — a soothing, twanging tenor — always sounds right. Jackson celebrates his 25 years in the business with this latest tour (called — what else? — the Keepin’ It Country Tour), which stops Friday at the Independence Events Center.

Friday, April 17, Independence Events Center (19100 East Valley View Parkway, Independence,
816-442-6100)

Drive-By Truckers

It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Drive-By Truckers since powerhouse singer-songwriter Jason Isbell left the band in 2007. In the wake of his departure, the Athens, Georgia, five-piece has released four full-length albums, none as successful as the band’s 2001 breakthrough, Southern Rock Opera, or the best of its follow-ups. Last year’s English Oceans was impressive, though, especially considering that it had to make up for longtime bassist Shonna Tucker having left in 2011. It’s the work of a slightly more battered version of a great band. Founding members Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood still write glass-half-empty songs that seem to dwell on the worst parts of being alive, in all the best, most honest ways.

Saturday, April 18, Madrid Theatre (3810 Main, 816-753-8880)

Langhorne Slim

Sean Scolnick, the Pennsylvania native who performs as Langhorne Slim, has not released a record since 2012’s The Way We Move, but that’s fine. His catalog is already pretty rich and all but timeless; any of his songs would fit in between Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan on a playlist, and it would take a serious crank to object. Scolnick may not be reinventing the wheel when it comes to folk, but his rough-hewn, mud-caked voice is a comfort. Scolnick is touring now with his band the Law, ahead of the summer release of an as-yet-untitled album.

Tuesday, April 21, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens’ latest, Carrie & Lowell, is one of the year’s best albums. Its title is simple, but its content is not: The real-life Carrie and Lowell are Stevens’ mother (who died of cancer in 2012) and his stepfather, and the album explores the themes of death and loss. It’s sobering and delicate, with a contemplative Stevens searching for answers (“The Only Thing”) and remembering a heartbreaking final conversation with his mother (“Fourth of July”). His voice rarely climbs above a rough whisper on Carrie & Lowell, rising just over the sweet and shimmery piano and guitar chords, but his words are always clear, and they carefully and completely break you down.

Tuesday, April 21, the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)