Remember Hoobastank? They were early-2000s mainstream rock at its finest – lots of soaring power chords with lots of unnecessary oomph, vocals just dripping with pathos and urgency? That sort of heavy alt-rock by way of Nickelback went out of style a few years ago. But hangers on, we have good news: Retribution Gospel Choir’s sophomore record, 2 is Hoobastank’s best record yet. It’s full of huge and obvious builds to monotonous choruses and rhythms, too-frequent and too-noisy cymbal crashes – it’s even got such emphatic lyrics as, “We sing of salvation/ We sing what we must/ Cuz one man’s treasure/ Is another man’s lust.” As for you doubters, dissenters, and indie snobs – yes, two members of Low are also in this band. And no, RGC’s 2 has none of the subtlety and nuance that makes Low such a refreshing band. With Kinski. ERIN K. THOMPSON

Wed., April 7, 8 p.m., 2010