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Published: Nov 4, 2008

The obvious point of comparison is Nico, but Sanni Baumgaertner of Dancer vs. Politician isn't as chilly and tragic as that other German beauty. Besides, she's spent enough time in Athens, Ga., to soak up whatever it is that compels fair maidens to sing sweetly over swooning saws.

—M.J. Fine

Sun., Nov. 9, 8 p.m., $8, with In Grenada and Swivel Chairs, Manhattan Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, myspace.com/themanhattanroom.

Porch songs and torch songs mesh nicely on Dirt Don't Hurt (Transdreamer), Holly Golightly's second outing with Lawyer Dave, the sole member of The Brokeoffs. Best of the bunch are the sinister "Burn Your Fun" and the jaunty "Bottom Below," hymns for the godless and the heretic alike.

—M.J. Fine

Sat., Nov. 8, 9 p.m., $12, with Chet DelCampo and Scott Churchman, Manhattan Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, myspace.com/themanhattanroom.

With their foliage-laden stages and post-punk guitars, The Shackletons could easily be misconstrued as Pennsylvania's answer to British Sea Power. But while the English group strives for a stadium-size sound, this Chambersburg-based five-piece is more subtle and stark. Embracing the cathartic and raw emotionalism of the Pixies into their musical mix, they play with an emphatic urgency, as if the idea that everything could collapse at any moment is what propels them along. That they manage to keep it all together is a feat worth witnessing.

—Kevin Pearson

Thu., Nov. 6, 9 p.m., $8 with Arizona and The Bye Byes, The M-Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com.

Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT to his legions of fans at his home base at the San Francisco Symphony) will be at the podium for the latest installment in the multi-season Mahler fest. On tap: the Fifth Symphony, a sprawling, rather schizoid work that ranges from snarling anger to incandescent beauty to rollicking joyfulness. The program also includes the rarely heard Copland Symphony for Organ and Orchestra, with the brilliant Paul Jacobs at the Cooper console.

—Peter Burwasser

Thu. and Sat., Nov. 6 and 8, 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., Nov. 7 and 9, 2 p.m.; $10-$125, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, philorch.org.

They get it in Los Angeles and San Francisco: The survival of classical music depends on the reintroduction of new music into the mainstream, away from the fringes. Our orchestra does not get it, yet. They will. They must. In the meantime, smaller groups, such as the Philadelphia Virtuosi, are making the concept central. This fine ensemble will present a mix of old and new at a one-night-only show at a new venue for them, the Arden. Bach and Mozart hold down the old-school, while Reich (his brilliant Triple Concerto) and a première by Kurt Coble (with the P.A.M. Band) ring in the new.

—Peter Burwasser

Philadelphia Virtuosi, Fri., Nov. 7, 8 p.m., $40-$50, Arden Theater, 40 N. Second St., 215-922-1122, philadelphiavirtuosi.com.

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