January 31–February 7, 2002
music picks|rock/pop
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The Welsh trio Stereophonics (top) are led by Kelly Jones’ warm, scratchy vocals and supple guitar work, solidly establishing themselves as one of the better bands to cross the pond recently. Their third and latest album, Just Enough Education to Perform, demonstrates their ability to have it both ways, from the acoustic, dirty blues ballad "Step On My Old Size Nines" to the rugged rock rave-up "Vegas Two Times."
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They’re joined by the young Irish trio JJ72 (bottom), who became an NME favorite last year with the strength of their self-titled debut. Crackling pop guitar, clearly influenced by the American post-punk movement, abets the typically plaintive British vocals. Their songs swerve from ballad to soaring rocker, as on their hit "Oxygen."
—Chris Parker
Stereophonics with JJ72 , Sun., Feb. 3, 8 p.m., $15.25-$17.25, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.electricfactory.com.