The Fresh & Onlys ~ Sunday, October 18
For a band not even 2 years old, the Fresh & Onlys have had a phenomenally fruitful year, touring on their own behind a fistful of LPs, EPs and singles, in support of Stephen Malkmus, and as an occasional backing band for resurrected underground psych-folk artist Rodriguez. Purveying a unique brand of surrealist, acid-soaked garage rock that's equal parts light and dark, leader Tim Cohen adroitly draws the line between avant-innovation and retrospective reinvention. Tonight they're logically paired with like-minded locals Idle Times, who essentially sound like what might happen if Flaming Lips leader Wayne Coyne and former Guided by Voices frontman Robert Pollard decided to forge a more perfect, lo-fi, and lysergic union. With Dan Melchior und Das Menace. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $7. HANNAH LEVIN
Aliya Naumoff
Islands’ Nick T. is so hip, he casts technicolor shadows.
Related Content
More About
Astronautalis ~ Monday, October 19
Whether living in the ocean-sprayed suburban sprawl of Florida or the grey-skied city of Seattle, where he recently relocated, Astronautalis blurs lines. Although he canceled his REVERB gig, we won't hold that against him, because there's no denying it: Dude's got skills. Astronautalis (real name, Andy Bothwell) works from an array of influences—shoegaze, rock, experimental—all underpinned by hip-hop. As evidenced on last year's Pomegranate, this hydra-headed sensibility makes for a kinda quirky sound. Guided by producer John Congleton (whose previous credits include Modest Mouse), Astronautalis made an eclectic album that showed his ability to combine intelligent, dynamically delivered lyrics (he's a wicked freestyler) with diverse sounds. There's country, indie, and a whole lot more here—something, in other words, for everyone. With Sole. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 8 p.m. $8 adv.KEVIN CAPP
Islands ~ Monday, October 19
After the bombastic yet oddly leaden feel of last year'sArm's Way, "Switched On" comes rushing out of Vapours' starting gate like a rush of held-in breath, as if even Islands itself was wondering what its third release would bring. The answer comes with insistent drums, gorgeous vocal harmonies, and an instantly catchy melody complemented by pulsing bass and synths that would be cheesy if they weren't so perfectly pitched. Nearly every track on the album is instantly alluring, with head-nodding standout moments in the Talking Heads intro, the slight Afropop lean of the title track, and the '70s pop keys, ebullient melody, and rhythmic thrust of "Disarming the Car Bomb." More subtle gems include the sparse drum machine, plinky keys, and chunky staccato guitars of "No You Don't" and the epic sweep of "Tender Torture." Some may find the weightier, minor-key drama of "Shining" a bit overblown, but it also stands as a nice contrast to the light-headed airiness of the rest of the album. A heady mix of relief and excitement, Vapours is quite likely the band's best work to date. With Jemima Pearl, Toro y Moi. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8000. 8 p.m. $14 adv./$16 DOS. All ages. NICHOLAS HALL
