In 2008, Jim Putnam the songwriter and frontman of L.A.s Radar Brothers was abandoned by all of his bandmates. Nonplussed, Putnam recruited a new rhythm section bassist Be Hussey and drummer Steve Treichel and is back on the road (the band will spend much of July opening for Modest Mouse) in support of the Brothers newest record, The Illustrated Garden. All the tunes on Garden hum with brightness, placing them squarely between rootsy Americana and low-fi indie pop; the stately, piano-driven Dear Headlights is a standout. The music has a warm, idyllic sound; its probably Putnams gentlest record yet. Good to see hes not bitter. With Secret Highways. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Tue., June 22, 9 p.m., 2010
