On The World Takes (Storm Tower), the fifth release from Philadelphian George Pasles' one-man project, he hones to a razor's edge his brooding, 1980s-style synth pop. Pasles' ethos -- which nods to kindred spirits Morrissey and Stephin Merritt -- celebrates dark clouds, not silver linings. Even on the superficially chipper, toy-piano-enlivened "Warm Body," Pasles sings cynically, "Better here than on your own/ Better me than all alone." Dour, yes, but the hooks get under your skin. --Brian Howard

Sat., May 1, 10 p.m., $7, with The Last Wave, Seekonk and The Bullet Parade, Mill Creek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 215-222-9194.

Network for New Music

An awful lot of new music is of the prickly, edge-of-your-seat variety, but there are other, gentler voices. This Network concert features music that promises to be less in-your-face and more in your heart and head. It features works by Melinda Wagner, Steven Mackey and Barbara White. --Peter Burwasser

Sun., May 2, 3 p.m., $5-$15, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St., 215-848-7647.

Tim Xavier

DJing everywhere from puny clubs to massive raves, Chicago's Tim Xavier shreds through hard-driving techno records like a rabbit fucks. His mixing is fast and vigorous, and his sound evokes elements of early industrial and Detroit techno. --Sean O'Neal

Fri., April 30, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $6, with Full Circle, Dissonance, G-Drive and Tom++, Ulana’s, 205 Bainbridge St., 484-951-1974.

The Subdudes

Louisiana-Colorado rock-funk-soul collective The Subdudes have regrouped after an eight-year hiatus with a new album, Miracle Mule (Back Porch), and a determination not to let record-label pressure split them apart again. The CD has all the trademark eclecticism: nicely layered R&B rhythms, some well-placed tambourine, hints of zydeco and a touch of gospel fervor. Praise be; they're back. --Nicole Pensiero

Ska Is Dead Tour 2004

The title is a bit out-of-touch -- didn't ska die the moment the Mighty Mighty Bosstones went pop? But so what? Anyone who still enjoys "skanking" (dancing with oneself in a most embarrassing way) or wearing black-and-white-checkered Vans will appreciate a loaded lineup, which includes underground favorites Catch 22 and Mustard Plug as well as the more punk-leaning Suicide Machines. --Andrew Parks

Sun., May 2, 7 p.m., $15, with Catch 22, The Suicide Machines, Mustard Plug, Against All Authority, Big D & the Kids Table and Planet Smashers, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Tracy Grammer

When her musical (and sometimes romantic) partner Dave Carter died in her arms in July 2002, no one could have predicted that folksinger-fiddler Grammer would rebound by making his songs her on-the-road therapy. For her current tour, Grammer (who recently replaced her 200-year-old violin with a new one -- funded in part by fans) is joined by multi-instrumentalist Jim Henry. And, in spirit at least, Carter's still around: Grammer's shows showcase their potent post-modern urban folk, and her upcoming album, tentatively titled Shadows of Evangeline, is a collection of previously unrecorded Carter-penned tracks. --Nicole Pensiero

Fri., April 30, 10 p.m. (7 p.m. show is sold out), $17-$20, The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0988.

Sebadoh

We've heard nothing new from indie godheads Sebadoh since 1999. Their Turboacoustic tour featuring 'doh boys Lou Barlow and Jason Loewenstein won't change that. The pair first reunited for a one-off benefit for the Easthampton, Mass., autism center where Barlow's mother works, which prompted them to trot the old faves around the concert circuit once more. There is no new Sebadoh album in the works, but according to reports from an early tour stop, there is a new T-shirt. --Brian Howard