Nightbeat: R.E.M.
The new album’s called Accelerate, but where exactly is R.E.M. going, and why do they wanna get there so darned fast? As has been written nearly everywhere, sure, Accelerate is a far better album than 2004’s limp Around the Sun, and that’s due in part to the increase in guitar volume, but also to a newly chastened tone in singer Michael Stipe’s voice. “Believe in me, believe in nothing” he sings in “Hollow Man.” It’s as if where once he viewed his fan base as faithfully (blindly?) liberal, now Stipe appears to doubt even his own effectiveness as a spokesman for the left … and this uncertainty has blossomed into the album’s 11 beautifully provocative songs.
–Joshua Sindell
Thurs. at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Aev., Hollywood. With Modest Mouse, and the National. 6:30 p.m. (323) 850-2000.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, May 29
Ladytron: Ice-cool Brits play two techno-pop nights to promote latest disc Velocifero. Datarock and Modwheelmood support. The Music Box @ Henry Fonda Theatre. Also Fri.
Sonny Landreth: The Louisiana-based singer/slide-guitarist boasts appearances from Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Dr. John, and Jimmy Buffett on his latest album. Safari Sam’s.
Jamie Lidell: British beat-box-soul singer gives L.A. “a little bit mo’.” With James Pants. El Rey Theatre.
Thrice, Pelican: Emo-punk goes art-rock, now that Thrice is experiencing growing pains. Pelican also crash ’n’ burn artfully. With Circa Survive. Avalon Hollywood. Also Fri.
Tickley Feather: Philly native Annie Sachs makes lush electronica sounds and records for Animal Collective’s Paw Tracks label. The Echo.
Friday, May 30
Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility, Divine Heresy, Firewind: Cutting-edge death, prog, and thrash metal from the U.S., Sweden, and Greece. House of Blues, Sunset Strip.
Beirut: Chamber-pop champ Zach Condon continues his European fixation with The Flying Club Cup. With the Brunettes, and Devon Williams. The Wiltern. Also Sat.
Dead Meadow, Entrance, Winter Flowers: Trippy rock and melodies are sure to flow and ooze tonight. Little Radio, 1218 Long Beach Ave., downtown L.A.
The Fiery Furnaces: The eclectic duo is touring on the back of current disc Widow City. The Echo. Also Sat.
Fishbone: Terminally underrated L.A. funketeers will throw down in ways the Chili Peppers wish they still could. Malibu Inn.
Flight of the Conchords: HBO stars and New Zealand’s fourth-best novelty band will definitely *uck shi* up. Orpheum Theatre.
Iron Maiden: Playing only songs from the first half of their career has ironically jump-started the British institution’s resurrection. Anthrax opens. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine. Also Sat.
Saturday May 31
The Adolescents, The Briggs: SoCal faves the Adolescents meet the new breed: Clash-alikes the Briggs. Knitting Factory.
The Cure: Still depressingly cute, after all these years. With openers 65daysofstatic. Hollywood Bowl. Also Sun. at Shrine Auditorium.
Gram Rabbit: Moody electro-pop from these Joshua Tree-based geniuses. Safari Sam’s.
Green Jelly, Angus Kahn: A night of cheese and silliness from successful rock parodists. Vault 350.
My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult: It’s been 20 years since the Kult started its mission to indoctrinate a nation’s youth with its sexy, industrial rock. Bar Sinister.
Swervedriver: Essex, England’s velocity-obsessed shoegazers reunite after many years. Music Box @ Henry Fonda Theatre.
Sunday, June 1
Candlemass: The founding fathers of European doom metal make a rare L.A. appearance. The Whisky.
Type O Negative, Hatebreed, 3 Inches of Blood: A wide range of metal here, from goth, to hardcore, to Maiden-like ’80s thrash. A smorgasbord, if you will. The Avalon. Also Tues. at the Grove of Anaheim.
Monday, June 2
Aimee Mann: The talented songwriter plays tunes from current album @#%&*! Smilers, solo and acoustic this time. Largo.
Wednesday, June 4
The Binges, Pride Tiger: Travis Smith, drummer for L.A.’s AC/DC types the Binges, makes the funniest, most constipated faces when he plays. Just you watch. Pride Tiger? They’re Canadian hipster fans of Thin Lizzy featuring former 3 Inches of Blood dudes. Viper Room.
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies: Will the zoot suit riots never end? Crash Mansion.
The Long Blondes: Sheffield, U.K. “glamour punkers”; don’t you want them, baby? Don’t you want them, ohhhh? The Troubadour.
The Whigs: The Athens, Georgia band’s second album, Mission Control, is catchy and filled with great hooks. The Echo.
Published: 05/28/2008
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