Its high time that poor Wasilla, Alaska hometown of the trashiest family in American politics got some non-Palin-related spotlight. The experimental quartet Portugal. The Man also hails from Wasilla (although theyre now based in Portland) and just released their major label (Atlantic) debut, American Ghetto. The songs on Ghetto are fresh, intricate, and radio-friendly all at once, with booming electronic beats and jazzy electric guitar riffs. The records receiving unequivocal praise across the blogosphere for its sharp, catchy sound, and the bands spent this year on a high-profile tour circuit, including stops at Coachella and Bonnaroo. So fuck you, Levi Johnston! With The Builders and The Butchers, Morning Teleportation. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Fri., June 25, 8 p.m., 2010