THE SHOWDOWN: "Oh hell yes" moments

This week's lineup includes Sade @ the Wells Fargo Center, The Decembrists @ the Academy of Music and Architecture in Helsinki @ World Café Live

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THE SHOWDOWN: "Oh hell yes" moments

POSTED: Monday, June 13, 2011, 1:00 PM

Monday: Originally part of the 1980s burgeoning pop scene, Lloyd Cole's career has since blossomed into a very eclectic and sophisticated one. The former leader of The Commotions and avid golfer returned last year with a new album called Broken Record. The album provides the groundwork for the Lloyd Cole small ensemble, which Lloyd is debuting on this tour. 8:30 p.m., $30, World Café Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Tuesday: As the name might lead you to believe, Those Darlins started out as a kind of country fried punk band. Over the years their sound has expanded, incorporating psychedelic and classic pop styles. Their live shows remain as volatile as ever and, appropriately, their new material draws heavily from their copious time on the road. They’ve spend that time fine-tuning their material to work best in a raucous (if not hoe-down) setting. w/ Natural Child & Tin Horses, 9 p.m., $10-$12, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684.

Wednesday: Seeing as how they burst onto the scene years ago as a group of brainy folk enthusiasts, it's no surprise that The Decemberists’ latest turn draws heavily from good ol’ Americana. Recruiting members from various folk and bluegrass acts, The King Is Dead is a departure from the more epic prog leanings of the group’s past few albums. Despite the relative lightness of the acoustic-based new recordings, The Decemberists’ performances remain engaging and celebratory. w/ Best Coast, 8 p.m., $40, Academy Of Music, Broad & Locust Sts., 215-893-1940.

Thursday: Marina & The Diamonds are far from another pop princess group from the UK. Sure, they’re from the UK and Marina herself is a pop princess, but that shouldn't make you think they're just a Florence And The Machine copycat group bringing electronic influences and, of course, bubbly pop songcraft into the mix. Marina and the diamonds present a lovely mix of joyously off-kilter pop that’ll curl the corners of your lips. Upwards, of course. w/ GANG, 8 p.m., $18-$27, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Friday: By the time you read this, Robert Pollard will have amassed enough material for at least 10 or 12 new solo albums. Thankfully you probably won't hear any of those songs when Guided By Voices take the stage for the second time in a surprising short span. Once again assembling the lineup of the group’s creative and commercial peak, Pollard and his band will present their whiskey-fueled live show, which plays like a series of “oh hell yes” and “oh man, I forgot about this song” moments. Plus, tickets are 2-for-1 until Thursday morning! w/ Wavves, 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$39.70, River Stage at Penn’s Landing Great Plaza, Columbus Blvd & Chestnut St., 215-629-3200.

Saturday: Australian pop combo Architecture In Helsinki spent the better part of the last few years working on will become Moment Bends, their fourth studio album. After heavy remixing and reimagining, the fruits of their work have manifested in a funky but breezy pop collection that evokes new-wave sounds as much as tropical-flavored funk. The collection is an expectedly grown-up triumph from the playful group, but their youthful buoyancy thankfully remains. w/ Hooray For Earth & Norwegian Arms, 8 p.m., $19-$24, World Café Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Sunday: There are few people who can boost a career as illustrious as Sade’s. Just last year, the British pioneer of “quiet storm R&B” released Soldier Of Love, her first album of original material in 10 years. The Grammy-winning disc and its Grammy-winning title track highlight the pensive sensual sounds of Sade’s celebrated early albums. Bring someone along to this show; you’ll want to hold them very tightly. w/ John Legend, 7:30 p.m., $52.50-$152.50, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 1-800-298-4200.

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