The disappointment was palpable and heavy this July when, at the last minute, Blonde Redhead cancelled their highly anticipated set at Capitol Hill Block Party due to an illness in the band. The dreamy New York shoegaze-pop trio retains a devoted following of captivated fans, even though their latest album, Septembers Penny Sparkle, is something of a disappointment. The bands soothing melodies are still there, and Kazu Makinos glittering vocals still take precedence, but much of Penny Sparkle is just too restrained and low-energy, ironically lacking the sparkle of their previous releases, 2007s exquisite 23 and 2004s spellbinding Misery Is a Butterfly. Regardless, there are some standouts on the new album like the excellent lead single, Here Sometimes and seeing them play anything from 23 or Misery is worth the ticket price alone. With Olof Arnalds. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Wed., Nov. 24, 8 p.m., 2010
