THE SHOWDOWN: Tacky and tasteless

POSTED: Monday, December 6, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass | Music The Showdown

Monday: The members of harmonious LA quartet Chief count themselves in the proud ranks of Domino Records. Though that might impress you, it doesn't necessarily tip you off as to what they sound like. Inspired by similarly Californian groups of the 1970s, Chief's music is sweeping, emotional and very likeable. Their debut full-length, Modern Rituals, came out this year to modest fanfare, though they're definitely going to become one of those bands with a super devoted fanbase. They've also played in town many times this year, so they clearly like us right back. w/ The Dig & Chamberlin, 8 p.m., $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919. Tuesday: Badly Drawn Boy, if you remember, was part of that 'solo-singer-using-a-band-name' movement that was all the rage a few years ago. These days, Damon Gough has a new set of songs, the laboriously-titled It's What I'm Thinking Pt.1 â Photographing Snowflakes. Hailed as Gough's grand return, the album is the first in a proposed trilogy; you might even get to hear some of the future editions' inclusions at this intimate Sanctuary show. Seeing as how it's been some time since Gough made the concert rounds, he's surely to be met with a rousing welcome. w/ Justin Jones, 8 p.m., $25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980. Wednesday: As one of the founders of the Pentagle, Bert Janch is a cornerstone of modern folk music. More than just a celebrated spirit in his native England, Janch's dynamic guitar style has influenced everyone from Neil Young to Johnny Marr. Having recently recovered from a tour-stifling bout with lung cancer, Janch is back with over 45 years' worth of music to share. If you've been digging the recently revival of folk rock that's been happening on both sides of the Atlantic, this would be the perfect chance to see one of the men who helped start it all. w/ Meg Baird, 9 p.m., $15, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684. Thursday: Individual battles may have been won, but The War On Drugs rages on. The exploits of Adam Granduciel's noisy roots-rock project have been pretty well documented, with his latest release, the Future Weather EP, featuring a newly tweaked lineup. The arrangement might have changed, but The War On Drugs are no less solid of a band; Future Weather packs all the dense layers and impeccable songwriting that we've come to expect. With the prospect of a second full-length not too far off (and the holiday season looming), Granduciel might be in the giving mood and unveil some new tunes, too. w/ Ape School, 8 p.m., $8 - $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919. Friday: Philly-via-DC (or is it DC-via-Philly?) trio Jukebox The Ghost has had one doozy of a year. From releasing Everything Under The Sun to national attention in September to appearing on the late night television circuit, the guys are finally getting the recognition they've deserved for years. With dueling lead singers/songwriters Ben Thornewill and Tommy Siegel, Jukebox can bounce between a number of styles and influences quite easily. Aside from their clever and catchy original songs, Jukebox are known for their live takes on tacky and tasteless pop hits of yore, performed with their tongues only slightly planted in their cheeks. w/ The Meligrove Band & Dynamite Walls, 7:30 p.m., $10 - $12, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980. Saturday: That bassist/bandleader Dave Holland released an album in 2006 titled Critical Mass shouldn't imply an unfair connection between the jazz icon and this very blog. Despite our lack of a conflict of interest, Holland remains a totally righteous dude. This time, Holland's bringing his big band (which, by my count, really is pretty darn big) for a show that's too huge for just one performance. Just this year, Holland released two albums, both of which showcase his unique voice as a composer. Drawing from experimental phases as much as classic Dixieland, Holland is a force to revere, even if you're not really in cahoots. 7 p.m. & 9 p.m., $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914. Sunday: Nellie McKay can't quite sit still, musically speaking. But it's that creative fickleness that keeps her career so entertaining to follow. Though she's only released a handful of albums of original material, she's also recorded plenty of covers, be they show tunes (she appeared on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera) or classic pop (her last album, Normal As Blueberry Pie, was a tribute to Doris Day). Never one to slow down, McKay has also been writing some new Christmas songs, which I'm sure she'll present at this show. Aside from her music career, McKay continues to act on stage and in film, which can only mean she has a bounty of juicy behind-the-scenes stories. w/ Birdie Busch, 7:30 p.m., $25 - $28, World Cafe Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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