If there’s anything more frustrating than all the big names in media hyping up a band, it’s when they’re right. The good news is, Blitzen Trapper lives up to every ounce of the superfluous praise they’ve garnered from SPIN, Rolling Stone and various other indie kingmakers. The sextet mellowly sashays to combined keyboards and flippant vocals that prove the band doesn’t take itself too seriously. Joining Blitzen Trapper on the road are Oregon alumni the Parson Red Heads, who have relocated their sunshine sound to California — and it seems to be agreeing with them. Pop gems like “Punctual As Usual” and “Got It All” punctuate their new album, Owl & Timber, a focused, heartfelt work of sixties-loving guitar riffs and love-rants that could make Matthew Sweet proud.

Fri., Dec. 5, 9 p.m., 2008