Sound Checks

CURSIVE+THE FAINT
Knitting Factory, Main Space, at 10:30

Unlike most emocore bands, Cursive possess an intelligent and creative sense of dynamics and melody, as well as a healthy appreciation for pop. They can sing, but too often the drippings from their wounded hearts seep into their throats and choke them up. They haven't entirely managed to squeeze themselves out from under the thumb of their D.C. hardcore influences, but they're well on their way toward developing a sound that's distinctly their own. The Faint are an overrated '80s-style new wave band that seem to take themselves way too seriously. With Ambulance, Son, and Now It's Overhead. (Switzer)

CACHAITO LOPEZ
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, at 8 & 10:30

See the Short List.

MATT MANIERI, RANDY PETERSON & WILLIAM PARKER+TIM BERNE, CRAIG TABORN & TOM RAINEY+MATTHEW SHIPP & ROB BROWN DUO
Knitting Factory, Main Space, at 8

Cogent abstraction is the order of the night as the violin trio of Mat Maneri, Randy Peterson, and William Parker share space with Tim Berne's Hard Cell threesome (warning: utterly addictive) and the duo exchanges of alto saxist Rob Brown and Matt Shipp. Shipp's also the auteur here. His Blue Series for Thirsty Ear has brought outcats to the indie rock camp. (Macnie)

RAPTURE+EX MODELS+FRENCH KICKS+WALKMEN+INTERPOL
Brownies, at 9

Abstract, high-impact city-inspired sounds from local big fishes. Ex Models named their all-jutting-angle-geometry album Other Mathematics. The French Kick's went for Young Lawyer, perhaps acknowledging the whiff of vocal group professionalism in their garage sound—'60s inspired, like the Walkmen, and unlike the '80s Brit post-punk admirers Interpol. The Rapture scream and twist and shout and, among these others, truly shine. (Catucci)

TIGHT BRO'S FROM WAY BACK WHEN
North Six, at 8

Jared Warren pulls off a passably falsettoed Bon Scott (though Bon screamed with way less strain), a passably chunky riff pokes its head out now and then, and it's nice to note that their record collections include the Animals and Joe Tex (both covered on the new Lend You a Hand, but the Tight Bro's don't nearly have the rhythm section (much less the punch lines) to do dirty deeds dirt cheap. And they don't understand apostrophes, either. With Bangs, Slumber Party, C Average, and Har Mar Superstar. (Eddy)

THE YAYHOOS+TRAILER BRIDE+JOHNNY DOWD+KELLY HOGAN+ANNA FERMIN'S TRIGGER GOSPEL
Brownies, at 1:30p.m.

See the Short List.

SUNDAY 16

COLDPLAY+EMILIANA TORRINI+STARSAILOR
Irving Plaza, at 7

Coldplay are wrapping up this year's CMJ to remind us that college music, even the British kind, can still actually sell. Emiliana Torrini sounds almost exactly like fellow Icelander Björk, but from a few years ago, and that's not a bad thing. Starsailor are now being hyped as Britain's best new band, a title that went to Coldplay last year. They're also named after a Tim Buckley album, so you already know what and who they sound like. With Sensefield. (Walters)

FLYING LUTTENBACHERS+ERASE ERRATA+PANTHERS+SONG OF ZARATHUSTRA+BLACK DICE+LOVE LIFE+PARTY OF HELICOPTERS
North Six, at 7

See the Short List.
Also: Champagne Kiss, Orthrelm.