The charming and sonically affable local outfit Milk at Midnight celebrates the release of “Less Love More Acid” (Stars/No Stars Records) tonight, the trio’s second full-length. The classic-rock-inspired indie pop—that’s saying bubblegum with riffs—bounces along in an even more psychedelic way this time around, but not at the expense of the band’s endearing youthfulness and tendency to lean towards the dramatic. But the ability to pull off both a dark-edged indie-rock song like “Kristol Ball” and an acoustic-guitar-led song like “Sticks in My Stomach” is impressive; the album’s title track, probably the best song of the collection, has a driving intensity that could for sure inspire a room. A “Less Love More Acid” mantra might not be a super hard sell with the kids, either. (Tom Lynch)
December 12 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, (773)276-3600, at 10pm. $8.
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.
