Sound Advice

Get Out.

Mark Helias' Open Loose

Reminiscent both of the Anthony Braxton bands that gave Mark Helias his start and the Sonny Rollins-led trio of 1950s Village Vanguard yore, this threesome keeps finding ways of living up to its name. Their latest disc, Verbs of Will (Screwgun), is a winner, packed with shift-on-a-dime interplay and good exploratory solos, especially by tenor man Tony Malaby. Even when they're "out," these guys tell a compelling story. And traditionalists, take further note: As a bassist, Helias swings with the best of 'em.

--Kyle Parker

Sat., Dec. 13, 8 p.m., $12, Slought, 4017 Walnut St., 215-222-9050.

Papa M/Lucero

While it'll be magnificent hearing Ben Nichols re-enact the gruff-griot soul groove of Lucero's new CD, the B-3 Hammond-heavy That Much Further West, my obsession is Papa M and their lonesome cowboy lyricist/singer, David Pajo. Along with using the band to elegantly display a Leonard Cohen-esque sense of deep-throated torment (see his new Drag City EP, One), guitarist Pajo has played with Slint, Stereolab and Tortoise -- mutant rock's finest. So what the fuck was he doing with Billy Corgan and Zwan?

--A.D. Amorosi

Thu., Dec. 11, 9 p.m., $8, Pontiac, 304 South St., 800-594-TIXX.

Seal

Burnt by the nonresponse to 1998's Human Being, Sealhenry Samuel spent two years on a self-produced follow-up, only to scrap it and reteam with soundsmith Trevor Horn. The resulting Seal IV -- as lyrically uplifting as its predecessor was dark -- has the Brit soul man doing what he does best: mixing R&B, house, funk and pop with radio-friendly melodies, then topping it off with soaring, raspy, amazing vocals.

--Nicole Pensiero

Fri., Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m., $35.50, with Wilshire, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000.

Nancy Falkow

Singer/songwriter/part-time publicist Nancy Falkow has opened for Donovan, played Lilith Fair and written a book about making it in the music business. Oh yeah, did we mention the new CD (her third) under way at Indre Studios, or the MTV-worthy commercial voiceovers for YouCanDealWithIt.com? Falkow has it going on 24/7, it seems, but never more notably than in her smart and soulful pop-folk songs.

--Nicole Pensiero

Sat., Dec. 13, 7 and 10 p.m., $22-$24, with Mary Fahl, The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0988.

Mark Kozelek

As a stalwart of 4AD's Euro-ghoulish galaxy, it's easy to forget that Mark Kozelek, Red House Painters' multi-hyphenate, is an ugly American. He's a forlorn, first-person essayer of life most wretched wrapped in tissue-y Anglo tones. So to hear his new band, Sun Kil Moon, and its romantic debut, Ghosts of the Great Highway, is to hear a sound more rooted in the planes of the Midwest than in RHP.

--A.D. Amorosi

Fri., Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., $12, all ages, First Unitarian Church Sanctuary, 22nd and Chestnut sts., 800-594-TIXX.

Crossroads

Enjoy holiday music and dance from the area's oldest and newest immigrants. Before Philly was even a twinkle in Billy Penn's eye, the Swedes were colonizing here. Anyone who trades on Washington Avenue knows that the Mexican community is blossoming. Alicia Björnsdotter Abrams, Swedish fiddler, shares the Saint Lucy music and customs. An Aztec dance troupe under the auspices of the Mexican Cultural Institute will honor the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.

--Mary Armstrong

Sat., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., $5-$10, Calvary Center, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave., 215-729-1028.