Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

This Ohio soulman cites influences expected (Sly Stone, Prince) and less so (Richard Pryor, Brian Wilson). His sophomore release, On the Jungle Floor, reflects all that with a sound that is funky, witty and ingeniously arranged.

Here's hoping their new disc The Town and the City shakes off the dull bar-band sound of their last few albums.

This quadruple Plain Parade bill features three local bands plus New York's Ex Models, all of whom are adept at bringing the weird noise in different ways.

The long-running benefit show comes to the area for the first time. At least two of the performers, Neil Young and Willie Nelson, are badass enough for Camden.

Was it all the hype for real? Was it just a crazy dream? This show may be a good way to find out. As Axl once said, "Round Two!"

Now, which Elephant 6 band did you think would last the longest? Olivia Tremor Control? Neutral Milk? Sucker!

Once, they pounded out skewed rhythms like the rest of the kids, but their new Two Thousand showcases a band that has been maturing into airy melancholia without becoming boringly kilter.

I'm not sick but I'm not well. And it's so hot. 'Cause I'm in hell.

Two college-rock vets with a flair for instrumental showcases — Built to Spill's hairy guitar jams vs. Camper Van's oddball folk touches — play two nights, making up for some cancelled shows back in May.

Rilo Kiley frontwoman Lewis' best work always features expertly crafted songs that hint at odd corners through the telling details and mordant asides. She brings her alt-country-flavored solo act back to town.

What happens when you mix these two approaches to riff-rock? Joan Jett hasn't been giving a damn about her bad reputation for almost 30 years now, while these Eagles (featuring Stone Age Queen Josh Homme) are like court jesters for dudes.

This ghostly, folky, bluesy girl's latest album is Springtime Can Kill You. Ask her what she thinks of autumn, go ahead.

A show so catchy it just may make your head explode. England's Art Brut became top of the pops for many of us simply by being really fuckin' funny-but-true. Delaware's own The Spinto Band are also winning plenty of new converts with their spazzy tunes of longing.

Support your indie-rock all-timers. The Wrens take their time making albums, but they're worth waiting for. +/- features members of much-missed D.C. acts Versus and Tuscadero. Palomar are New Yorkers whose scrappy tunes feel right at home here.

As the '70s moved into the '80s, Greer Garside made the uncommon move from agitprop punk to ironic synth-pop hitmaker. His latest album, White Bread, Black Beer, has garnered his best reviews since that heyday.

Maybe he'll write and record a couple albums between soundcheck and showtime.

Bob has yet another critically hailed album out, Modern Times, and in due course is playing some places other than minor-league ball parks for a change.

These days, when Rog and Pete (who just played a sold-out show on Sept. 12) hit their stride in a concert setting, the bad taste of recrimination, corporate sponsorship and controversy easily recedes to the background. What's more, they have their first album in 25 years, Endless Wire, to plug. Please God, don't let it be another It's Hard.