Sure, it's a trio, but bassist Reuben Radding often seems like the straight man between a pair of hyperactive vaudevillians. Philly percussionist Toshi Makihara and the Seattle-based altoist wheel around and against each other like unicycle-riding jugglers trading one-liners while Radding punctuates with deadpan, yet perfectly timed, repartee.

OK, so he didn't succeed in getting Bush kicked out of office, but Dan Bern still has plenty to talk and sing about: sports, celebrities, current events and, yes, politics. He's out plugging his first album in more than three years, Breathe (Messenger Records), which is a bit less concerned with the verbal fireworks than it is with poignant storytelling. Hamell on Trial, meanwhile, will kick-start things with his punk-acoustic energy.

Unless you know its main-man Spencer Krug and have skin-kneading privileges, Sunset Rubdown has zip to do with massage therapy. Instead the Wolf Parade/Frog Eyes alumnus is all about warbling gorgeously lo-fi but apocalyptic tunes on the Bowie-like Shut Up I Am Dreaming (Absolutely Kosher). Forget rubbing. If his wounded tunes are any indication, Krug needs a hug. While you're at it snuggle Philly's own Bowie-fixated The Teeth.

With that pinstripe suit, the too-hip-for-caps font, and the Miles-on-Prestige title, tenorman Braden's latest CD, workin' (HighNote), looks like it could've been released 45 years ago. The organ trio post-bop inside doesn't dent that illusion, but if this music really was vintage it'd be hailed as a lost classic today. Braden breaks no ground, but dances muscular grooves over the solid foundations on which he stands.

Wavy-haired guitarist/songwriter Rick Sorkin, bald androgynous crooner Jeffrey Marsh and goth-y percussionist Jefferson Kidd got tired of being Cabaret Melange. So they brought in cellist Monica McIntyre along with harpists and trombonists to expand their Brecht-meets-Bolan sound, hence Oberon Orchestra's eponymous diabolical debut CD. Opening is glammy chanteuse Janet Bressler's feathery new Janet Earth and Semi Precious Weapons — the most Ab Fab glitter garage rock band to ever sell its own line of jewelry.

It's hard to know what's more fun about seeing Joseph Arthur in concert: his swirling, hypnotic music or the onstage painting he often does on a huge backdrop as his loop pedal plays on. He's touring to plug Nuclear Daydream, on his own Lonely Astronaut Records.