soundadvice

ELECTRONIC

IQU

IQU

This Olympia duo is a little less interesting absent the standup bass that made the turntablism-meets-art-rock of their 1998 debut a mindbender. Six years later, Kento Oiwa and Michiko Swiggs finally follow up with Sun Q, an album steeped in sampling and electronic mayhem (Is that a theremin doing Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You"?) that's fun if less filling.
— Brian Howard
Tue., Oct. 12, 9 p.m., $10, with Zykos, The Bloodthirsty Lovers and The Rosebuds, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-569-9700.

CLASSICAL

The Music of Sleep and Dreams

Internationally renowned cabaret duo Jody Applebaum (soprano) and Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano) take this sleep theme and offer a fabulously bizarre evening of song—everything from Handel's majesterial "O Sleep" to Cole Porter's saucy "Dream Dancing." These two artists of unequaled imagination are not to be missed.
— David Anthony Fox
Tue., Oct. 12, 8 p.m., $8-$15, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St., 215-898-3900.

HIP-HOP

Critters Buggin'

Though you'll welcome Philly's Lady Alma and Hasidic reggae MC Matisyahu, the appearance of junk culture's snarliest quartet, Critters Buggin', is reason enough to leave the house. More "wonk" than "skronk," the twinkling, Ping-Pong-atronic Stampede is a thrilling exercise in lovely, airy fusion jazz. Spacier, hornier and more melody driven than Tortoise, think of Skerik's reeds and Mike Dillon's vibes as a bitches' brew that simply simmers.
— A.D. Amorosi
Rope-a-Dope New Music Seminar with Lady Alma, Marco Benevento & Joe Russo, Matisyahu and Tarantula, Tue., Oct. 12, 8 p.m., $15, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-336-2000.

ROCK/POP

Twilight Singers

Hard to believe, but She Loves You is Greg Dulli's first covers album. As usual, everything he touches turns to sex. It's easy to make somethin' hot out of "Please Stay (Once You Go Away)" and "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair," but the Twilights get kinky with a mash-up of "Strange Fruit" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" that sounds suspiciously like the Afghan Whigs' take on Patti Smith's "Revenge."
— M.J. Fine
Wed., Oct. 13, 9 p.m., $16, The North Star, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-684-0808.

BLUES/R&B

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Though he took his name from the blues, Bobby Bland made his name with R&B. But in his seventh decade, with the high notes beyond his reach and his voice thinned out, Bland snorts up a storm as a blues belter, which he'll do to kick off the Greater Philadelphia Blues Festival Friday night.
— Sam Adams
Fri., Oct. 8, 8 p.m., $38, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-893-1999.

VAUDEVILLE/MINSTRELSY

Neil Innes

He's been a Rutle, a Bonzo Dog and a sometime Python, which means you know Neil Innes even if you think you don't. The secret to being the funniest songwriter in British comedy? Knowing that good tunes are better than "funny" ones. After all, no one tells jokes in the shower.
— Sam Adams
Wed., Oct 13, 8:30 p.m., $25, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770.

HIP-HOP

DJ Mitsu

In addition to being one-third of the GAGLE family trio, North Japan producer/MC DJ Mitsu the Beats shows off his soul and deep-house-influenced production on his solo debut New Awakening. (Lady Alma and Rich Medina contributed a little somethin' to the album.)
— Deesha Dyer
Thu., Oct. 7, 10 p.m., $5, Aqua Lounge, 323 W. Girard Ave., 215-769-5114.