RECOMMENDED British Sea Power’s newest record, its third, titled “Do You Like Rock Music?” begins with a chorus chanting, “We’re all in it and we/We’re all in it and we/We’re all in it and we close our eyes,” set against the backdrop of a penetrating organ, a steady beat and feedback. It’s a warning, and a promise. The band’s always leaned towards the dramatic—“The Decline of British Sea Power” (2003) and “Open Season” (2005) were memorable because of that—but this record takes it to a new level, of Arcade Fire proportion, and with significant success. The influences of eighties indie rock, that of Jesus and Mary Chain and the Pixies, comes through even more so than before—this is a rock record first and foremost, a smart and handsome one at that, big and bold and at times ridiculous and at times quiet and introspective. Live, British Sea Power has always been extraordinary, and with this material, expect nothing less. Do you like rock music? Yes, especially when it sounds like this. (Tom Lynch)
British Sea Power plays March 24 at Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western, (773)276-3600, at 8pm and 11pm. $13.
For “Want” of a Change: A Preview of Rufus Wainwright at Ravinia Park Rufus Wainwright isn’t the first singer-songwriter to reinterpret earlier work through an orchestral lens. And much of Wainwright’s third and fourth albums, “Want One” and “Want Two”—whose twentieth anniversaries are the prompt for this new tour—is fully scored. But when Wainwright hits the Pavilion stage at Ravinia tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be behind him.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
