Music
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The Devil Makes Three The Devil Makes Three are pros at the ol’ bait-and-switch. The California trio’s latest, I’m a Stranger Here, is incredibly jovial on the surface, but when you look past the upbeat bluegrass and really listen to the lyrics, darker elements become more apparent. “Dead Body Moving” tells the story of someone coming to terms with death; “Worse or Better” deals with rough relationships; the band personifies substance abuse on “Mr. Midnight.” It’s easy to use upbeat tunes as an excuse to sugarcoat lyrics, but The Devil Makes Three (guitarist/singer Pete Bernhard, upright bassist/vocalist Lucia Turino, and multi-instrumentalist Cooper McBean) have struck a balance between catchiness and brutal honesty. With Joe Pug. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/paramount. 8 p.m. $21.25 adv./$26.25 DOS. All ages. The Paramount, 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 $21.25 adv./$26.25 DOS Saturday, February 7, 2015, 8pm
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The Maldives After 10 years together, the Maldives have become synonymous with alt-country, both in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The band’s latest, Muscle for the Wing, which was produced by Shawn Simmons (The Head and the Heart, Grand Hallway), builds on its debut full-length, Listen to the Thunder, and finds the septet, fronted by Jason Dodson, even more in sync. Though the Maldives can throw down a heavy riff with ease, as on “Blood on the Highway,” there’s a folkier side to Muscle, as on album opener “I’m Gonna Try” and closer “Go Back to Virginia,” that keeps things fresh. Neumos. 8 p.m. $12. 21 and over. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $12 Saturday, February 7, 2015, 8pm
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The Ramblin’ Years “Eclectic” doesn’t even begin to cover the self-titled debut from The Ramblin’ Years. Before the nine-track album is finished, the local quintet bounces from country-tinged rock to folk to hip-hop and back. Album opener “Hold On to You” seems like a straightforward country tune until Daniel Dunn comes through with a jazz club-worthy saxophone solo. And songs like “Stay Away” and “Stone by Stone” feature rhythm guitarist Katie Sweeney’s jazzy vocals and lead guitarist Sean Clavere alternating between singing and rapping. With Exohxo, Silver Torches. Columbia City Theater. 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS. 21 and over. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118 $8 adv./$10 DOS Saturday, February 7, 2015, 9pm
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Dr. Dog Pennsylvania rock six-piece Dr. Dog has been together for more than 15 years, but Live at a Flamingo Hotel marks the band’s first live album-which is a shame, as it’s onstage that the group really shines. Flamingo Hotel’s set list should please Dr. Dog fans new and old, as the band stretches back to its early discography for songs like “Say Ahhh” and “County Line” from its debut album, Toothbrush, while also including tunes like “The Truth” and “Broken Heart” from its latest studio release, B-Room. The entrancing quality of the band’s live shows comes through loud and clear on Flamingo Hotel, which should satisfy fans unable to see the real thing themselves. With Hanni El-Khatib. Showbox. 8 p.m. $26.50. All ages. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $26.50 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 8pm
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Lucinda Williams Though her lyrics are sometimes borderline slurred (see: “West Memphis”), bluesy rock singer Lucinda Williams’ voice is so expressive, it’s hard not to jump from one emotion to the next as quickly as she does when listening to her 11th studio album, Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone. Williams is no-nonsense on “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” melancholic on “It’s Gonna Rain,” optimistic on “Stand Right by Each Other” and “Walk On,” and grateful on “Stowaway in Your Heart.” Handling the lengthy project like the pro she is, she takes every opportunity across the double album’s 20 songs to showcase her distinctive rasp. With Kenneth Brian Band. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/neptune. 8 p.m. $37.50 adv./$40 DOS. All ages. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $37.50 adv./$40 DOS Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 8pm
