Thursday critics' picks

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

V.M. Black

8 p.m. M. Ward (folk) Renowned for his side-project She & Him, Ward is at his best minus 'she' (Zooey Deschanel), playing his originals. (8:15, Auditorium Shores)

9 p.m. Foot Patrol (funk) Consistently filling Austin clubs with sweaty dancing bodies, this indie funk band is destined for bigger stages. (Prague)

10 p.m. Dead Confederate (rock) Slushy psychedelic grooves and poetic lyrics make these Georgia thunderclappers my sleeper pick. (Spiro's)

11 p.m. Matt & Kim (rock/dance) Brooklyn's latest sensations, their shows are an electric party where even jaded hipsters dance. (11:15, Opal Divine's Freehouse)

Midnight Big Boi (hip hop) 50 percent of Outkast, he should drop 100 percent bangers from his upcoming reportedly titled 'Sir Luscious Left Foot.' (12:40, Austin Music Hall)

1 a.m. That Petrol Emotion (rock) Talent doesn't always yield mass success; let's pray the reunited TPE get the brass ring this time. (Elysium)

Kathy Blackwell

8 p.m. M. Ward (rock) 'Hold Time' is my favorite record of the year so far - I know it's early, but still. (8:15, Auditorium Shores)

9 p.m. Peter Broderick (singer/songwriter) Lots of acclaim for the last album by this acoustic-roots artist, who shares a label with the Fleet Floxes. (The Ranch)

10 p.m. Gomez (rock) Never pass up a chance to see these Brits, who are kicking off a U.S. spring tour tonight. (Stubb's)

11 p.m. Andrew Bird (singer/songwriter) I'm still hearing about his amazing sold-out Paramount gig from last month. (Stubb's)

Midnight Cary Brothers (singer/songwriter) Looking forward to seeing this 'Garden State' music star for the first time. (Parish)

1 a.m. The Wrens (rock) Still haven't recovered from the Jersey band's SXSW showcase from five years ago. (Prague)

Michael Corcoran

8 p.m. Restaurant (punk-blues) The fastest acoustic guitar in down gets dirty with slide blues. Start the night with a sleeper that will jolt you awake. (The Hideout)

9 p.m. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down (alternative) Ngyuen and her mandolin lead a rich, pop sound with an artsy bent. Good room for this. (9:30, Parish)

10 p.m. Hatcham Social (rock) A sturdy gang of three from South London brings a big beat to shoegaze bubblegum. Could be a blast live. (Lattitude 30)

11 p.m. Jaako & Jay (acoustic punk) Finnish duo strips punk to its essence as music that makes you grow courage. (Maggie Mae's Rooftop)

Midnight Dave Alvin (rock) This tribute to the late, great Chris Gaffney promises an all-star lineup and lotsa tears and smiles. (Continental Club)

1 a.m. Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles (rock) The incendiary live sets from the Telecaster-wielder and her band are becoming near-legendary. (Mother Egan's)

John T. Davis

8 p.m. Doug Sahm Tribute (Tex-Mex rock) Dave Alvin, Jimmie Vaughan, the Gourds, Sarah Borges and Gawd knows who else celebrate the 'Texas Tornado.' (Antone's)

9 p.m. The Belleville Outfit (jazz) Austin-by-way-of-South-Carolina group creates an appealing mix of bluegrass, jazz and acoustic gypsy music. (Mother Egan's)

10 p.m. BeauSoleil (Cajun) The standard-bearers and ambassadors for traditional (and not-so-traditional) Louisiana music. (Continental Club)

11 p.m. Justin Townes Earle (alt-country) Earle's second and latest album, `Midnight at the Movies,' mixes country, blues and strong songwriting. (Antone's)

Midnight Rosalie Sorrels (folk) An immaculate storyteller and songwriter, Sorrels is still going strong at 75. Nominated for a Grammy last year. (The Driskill Hotel)

1 a.m. The Bar-Kays (soul) Their origins as the house band for Stax Records in Memphis inform every note this powerhouse ensemble plays. (Dirty Dog Bar)

Joe Gross

8 p.m. Mt. St. Helen's Vietnam Band (rock) Oddball pop from this Seattle crew turns (sometimes) into guitar glossolalia. A jammier Wolf Parade? (8:25, Fuze)

9 p.m. Dirty Projectors (avant/experimental) The indie rock band's indie rock band. Complicated playing, complicated methodolgy, complex music. (Emo's Annex)

10 p.m. Ralph White (avant/experimental) Maybe the most underrated musician in Austin, his acoustic music is singular. Someone make him famous, please. (Lamberts)

11 p.m. 8ball and MJG (hip-hop) Legendary Memphis rappers embodied the Dirty South before nearly anyone. (Dirty Dog Bar)

Midnight Telepathe (avant/experimental) Next-big-thing electronica from two gals in Brooklyn, where all next big things are required to live. (Red 7 Patio)

1 a.m. Earthless (metal) Less? Nope. Earth-moving hard rock with a brilliant rhythm section. (Room 710)

Peter Mongillo

8 p.m. Grizzly Bear (avant/experimental) Brooklyn foursome turns out layered, atmospheric pop rich with vocal harmonies. (8:30, Central Presbyterian)

9 p.m. Dirty Projectors (avant/experimental) Brooklyn-based experimental popsters draw from every musical genre you can think of (Emo's Annex)

10 p.m. Foreign Born (rock) L.A.-based band employs the familiar in service of an epic, original sound (Mohawk)

11 p.m. Cut Off Your Hands (rock) New Zealanders list Phil Spector as an influence, probably some Morrissey, too. (Emo's Main Room)

Midnight Passion Pit (rock) Boston-based synth-pop originated as a Valentine's gift; catchy songs will have heads bobbing. (Emo's Main Room)

1 a.m. Here We Go Magic (pop) Infectious, poppy, folk from Brooklyn-based Luke Temple (Club 115)

Deborah Sengupta Stith

8 p.m. K'naan (hip-hop) Somali rapper with wisdom and power far beyond his years. My No. 1 can't-miss act. (8:20, Austin Music Hall)

9 p.m. 60 Tigres (funk) Amped-up punk funk from San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon. (Flamingo Cantina)

10 p.m. Public Offenders (hip-hop) The pride of Reagan High School (ATX!), smart political rappers on a mission. (Karma Lounge)

11 p.m. Awkquarius (hip-hop) Goofy, off-the-wall rap at its best. Plus these charismatic Dallas rhyme slingers can sing. (11:15, Back Alley Social)

Midnight Reflection Eternal (hip-hop) Back when Rawkus was ground zero for raw, intelligent hip-hop, 'Train of Thought' blew my mind. (12:10, Scoot Inn)

1 a.m. Tanya Morgan (hip-hop) We've been doing a lot of hip-hop. Why not close out with these lyrical up-and-comers? (1:10, Back Alley Social)

Chad Swiatecki

8 p.m. K'naan (hip-hop) There's something mysterious to this world-beaty rapper, who at first seems like a more charismatic K-Os. That's a compliment. (Austin Music Hall)

9 p.m. The Death Set (punk) The Go! Team gone spazz punk? Works for me. (Beauty Bar)

10 p.m. Ebony Bones (rock) This schizo M.I.A. meets PJ Harvey outfit seems like a lot to take. But my gut tells me their live show will be one to remember. (Aces Lounge)

11 p.m. Justin Townes Earle (alt-country) Even if you're a so-so fan of honky-tonk (raises hand), Earle is a gifted songwriter who explodes genre boundaries. (Antone's)

Midnight King Khan (rock) I stayed away out of fear this Canadian garage outfit would be too hammy live. But rave reviews have me ready to convert. (El Soy y La Luna)

1 a.m. The Wrens (rock) The band whose sparse but stellar output proves the maxim: 'Good things come to those who wait.' (Prague)