RECOMMENDED Strains of Thin Lizzy and California-scorched pop inform “Jubilee Dive” (New West Records), the debut from Texas-bred rockers, The Drams. The 2006 album showcases an impressive web of vocal harmonies that are endearingly crude, yet intuitive to an overall tendency toward garage-pop. Despite the pared-down aesthetic—quite appropriate given the recurring lyrical commentary on American consumer culture—The Drams incorporate some mighty intricate instrumentals in an anthemic sprawl of hook-loaded rock. The result is an overwhelming urge to sing along, even on the first listen. Local indie-Americana outfit the Twilight Revival will no doubt prove to be a brilliant pairing for the Lone Star visitors. Falling back on more modest hooks and a knack for compositional economy, this Chicago foursome released a promising self-titled EP earlier this year and has been gathering hoards of gushing press since. Fresh from the alt-country veneer of last year’s “C’mon Already, Start A Fire,” Chicago punk-rock darlings The Saps also play. A safe bet for anyone waxing nostalgic over the glory days of indie rock, this is a lineup that could help build version 2.0 of Our Band Could Be Your Life. (K. Tighe) Friday, December 2 at Beat Kitchen
Do It Again: A Preview of Brian Wilson at Horseshoe Hammond While today former bandmate Mike Love leads a group calling itself the Beach Boys, that band features no Brian Wilson. Wilson’s group, on the other hand, includes original Beach Boys member Al Jardine as well as late-prime-era Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin, and is jaw-droppingly facile at recreating the Beach Boys sound.
Still Breathtaking: A Preview of Sting at Ravinia Festival Sting's solo catalog boasts more than a dozen studio albums. He may not rack up the hit singles like he once did, but he remains a compelling writer, musician and performer.
