When Matt Kerstein left Chicago buzz band Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, many were left scratching their heads. On the surface it didn’t make a tremendous amount of sense to leave a band that was finally starting to crack into the national consciousness. As it turns out, Kerstein just may have known what he was doing. He assembled a stable of ace musicians and started the band that would eventually come to be called Brighton MA. Over the last year the band has been writing and recording — with the resulting album to be released in the coming months. To understand that Kerstein is a talent to be watched, one need only listen to the track "Bet You Never Thought", one of the best songs I’ve heard from a local pop band in quite some time. Lest the pristine melodies get dragged into melodramatic territory, Brighton is propelled by a suitably aggressive rhythm section led by the insanely talented Sam Koentopp on drums. (Appearing with The Slip at Double Door on March 16) --text: Don Bartlett 

Even after releasing one of their more chilled-out and spacious recordings this past Halloween, Boston-by-way-of-L.A.’s conceptual wall-of-sound, ISIS, have shown little sign of backing down. In support of said album In The Absence Of Truth, a favorite of many metal and indie-rock critics in ’06, ISIS landed a high-profile spot on the last TOOL tour — a well-deserved ego boost for this hard-working band. They have also recently been invited to play two All Tomorrow’s Parties festivals in the coming months and booked a full U.S. tour with legendary Godflesh mastermind Justin Broadrick’s latest incarnation Jesu. With winding instrumental breaks and absolutely roaring vocal passages, ISIS live is a uniquely dynamic and, at times, spellbinding experience. If their monstrous sound is still a brand new obsession for you and you’ve yet to see ISIS take the stage, be prepared for one of the loudest sets on your puny little concert schedule. (Appearing with Jesu and Zozobra at Metro on March 22) --text: Mike Scales--photo: Robin Laaninen

According to Portland-based trio Menomena’s Myspace page, they have over 7,000 billion friends. Of course, this is impossible, but humorous nonetheless. In 2004, they released their debut — the experimental home recording I Am the Fun Blame Monster! — integrating horns, snare drums, sax, keys, piano, and jagged shifts in tone. In 2005, the group briefly transitioned into modern dance — composing music for the show “Under An Hour”, while this January saw the release of their sophomore album, Friend & Foe, on Barsuk Records. The new work continues on the experimental platform, albeit with more cohesive and dulcet characteristics. "Muscle'n Flo" clangs and bangs with a cacophony of noises. Lead singer Brent Knopf’s articulated vocals give "Wet and Rustling" an emotive sheen. "The Pelican" is dramatic with frenzied guitar chords and inevitably sounds triumphant. Menomena continue to keep things interesting with their contagious music and amusing antics. (Appearing with Field Music at Empty Bottle on March 20) --text: Garin Pirnia--photo: Alicia J. Rose

The Slip has been around for over a decade, but is just now getting the attention they deserve. This group of Bostonians formed in 1996 with Marc Friedman and brothers Andrew and Brad Barr at the helm. Having attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music before dropping out, the guys self-released their first album, From the Gecko, in 1997. A couple of records later, they released a more jazz-orientated album, alivelectric, followed by the contrasting aliveacoustic. Yet it wasn’t until the release of last year’s Eisenhower (Bar/None) that the band began to garner wider recognition. Leaving their classically-trained jazz roots behind, the group explores U2-inspired anthemic tracks while sounding both oddly familiar and fresh in the process. The Slip also received a huge push when their sappy power pop tune "Life in Disguise" was used in a recent episode of the juggernaut TV show "Grey’s Anatomy." (Appearing with Brighton MA at Double Door on March 16) --text: Garin Pirnia

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