Music Forecast 5.22-5.28: Riff Raff, Jabee, Two Cow Garage, Trans AM, and more
Riff Raff
Any run-of-the-mill cynic can guess why Riff Raff’s album Neon Icon has been delayed since its expected release date, back in January. But we won’t dwell on the hype behind the debut of Houston’s most outrageous rapper. Instead, let’s just welcome this brazen, splashy character — birth name Horst Simco — into our arms for the first time since his explosive and steamy performance at the Riot Room in December. Our own hometown hero Tech N9ne was present for that memorable gig. Who knows what, or who, Mr. Simco may bring to the stage this time.
Thursday, May 22, Liberty Hall (644 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-1972)
Metronomy
On the buoyant “Love Letters,” the title track of Metronomy’s latest album, the British four-piece exuberantly announces, over a persistent and punchy drumbeat, the intention to, you know, keep on writing love letters. It’s a promise that permeates the rest of the record, as frontman Joseph Mount’s lyrics improve, and he seems to find all kinds of lovers and friends to sing to. It’s a catchy 40 minutes or so, the sort of easily likable stuff that summers are supposed to be made of. Maybe you’ll make a new pen pal on Friday at the Granada.
Friday, May 23, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-842-1390)
Trans AM
It’s always remarkable when a band manages to stay together over decades, despite never having shot into the stratosphere of arena rock, à la the Eagles or Styx or any number of platinum-selling acts rolling this way sometime this summer. One such act: Trans AM, a band that has been together since 1990 and released plenty of albums without noteworthy sales and also without noteworthy defections. Its original three members are still together, and Wednesday at the RecordBar, they bring all the Krautrock goodness they can summon. This band was using electronic beats and synths long before popular radio made it cool, and they may yet be at it in another couple of decades.
Wednesday, May 28, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)
Jabee
In December, Oklahoma City MC Jabee released his latest full-length, Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt. It’s a weighty set that blends classic R&B, fuming drumbeats and smoking-gun horns. On “To Whom It May Concern,” that lyric becomes a mantra of denial. Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts, he forces out, Trying to keep it real, as usual, and nothing works. Whatever he might say, Jabee is making it work right now.
Monday, May 26, Czar (1531 Grand, 816-421-0300)
The Pharmacy
I’ve never much liked the term “stoner rock,” but when it comes to the Seattle band the Pharmacy, the bong fits. On the band’s latest, Stoned and Alone, lead singer and guitarist Scott Yoder revels in garage-fuzzy sounds and leisurely, ambling choruses. The whole thing gets a fairy dusting of ever-so-slightly off-key notes and jingles. If the Pharmacy didn’t make this album while its members were high (yeah, right), it has definitely made a soundtrack for getting high. No matter what your state, though, the record makes a perfectly dreamy ride.
Saturday, May 24, Replay Lounge (946 Massachusetts, 785-749-7676)
Two Cow Garage
Although Two Cow Garage technically calls Columbus, Ohio, its home, the band has carved out a second nest in Kansas City — and it’s not hard to understand why. Singer Micah Schnabel’s voice is oddly irresistible; he sounds jagged and ruined, like an ex-metalhead who screamed too loudly in his youth and is still ingesting a pack of cigarettes a day. And those imperfections only add to his appeal. The rest of the band pushes just as hard as Schnabel, and you aren’t likely to leave this show without a fine sheen of sweat and a satisfied smile.
Monday, May 26, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)
