Battles, The Black Lips, Neko Case, Explosions in the Sky

BATTLES
Battles is an experimental progressive/math-rock band from New York City featuring a lineup of ex-members of bands like Helmet, Tomahawk, Don Caballero, Lynx and Storm and Stress. They are improvisational and, as of the time of writing, purely instrumental. While the band releases music sporadically — we’re still waiting for a full-length, supposedly due in May — recorded material clearly takes a backseat to playing live and touring. The “songs” on Battles’ EPs offer up cryptic titles that seem like they exist only to reinforce the idea that everything must have a “label” to be “classified” so “journalists” can “write” about them. Not the first outfit to deconstruct traditional songcraft, Battles does something different without trying to explain to its audience (or perhaps even knowing themselves) what that “something” is. While their handful of EPs showcase very precise musicianship and pedigree, Battles really shines with that “something” during their explosive live shows. (Appearing at Empty Bottle on March 30) –text: Brendan Dabkowski

THE BLACK LIPS
Hearing about a band that formed at age 15, toured the world and was signed by Vice Records at age 22 makes me wonder why things like high school, college and careers seemed so essential to me and most of the lame people I now associate with. When I hear about bands that are already being dubbed “underground veterans” at a year past drinking age, I feel like a boring old man that gets his kicks from cable news and unusual “on sale” items at the local grocery store deli. Such is the case for The Black Lips, the kickass “flower punk” band who’s sole purpose is to play great rock and roll (think The Seeds and The 13th Floor Elevators) while simultaneously separating the squares from the cool kids. But how would I know or even understand? Maybe I’ll attend the show “undercover” so I can learn what it’s like to actually live the dream instead of just watching it on TV. (Appearing with The Ponys and Mannequin Men at Logan Square Auditorium on March 31) –text: Billy Kenefick

NEKO CASE
Echoes of love won and lost. Life at its peak and at its pit. And questions still yearning, sometimes cursing, for answers: All of it exists within the voice of Neko Case. At times, it has been a bleak portrait that Case painted for us, but underneath it all, you could sometimes catch a glimmer of light with a smirking Case saying, “Got ya!” It’s that sort of irreverent attitude that has kept Case on a path of her own design and choosing. Since debuting as Neko Case & Her Boyfriends on 1997’s The Virginian, Case has gone on to collaborate with groups like The Sadies and The New Pornographers, which have served as terrific artistic opportunities for her to stretch her feet. Last year’s solo effort, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, was Case’s strongest album yet, proving her voice and lyrics continue to know no bounds. (Appearing at the Park West on March 28, 29 and 30) –text: Chris Castaneda–photo: Dennis Kleiman

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
While their sweeping, effects pedals-drenched instrumental compositions have found a cinematic home in Friday Night Lights, Explosions In The Sky’s philosophically weighty music evokes all kinds of moods. The tight-knit Texas rock band employs a traditional setup with guitars, bass and drums, but somehow manages to create soundscapes that evoke a distant quality which lends itself to time-lapse photography…or to say being trapped in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean. Together since 1999, all band members — Munaf Rayani, Mark Smith, Michael James and Chris Hrasky — have the same tattoo of one of the Angels of Mons, which as legend goes, was an angelic apparition that halted the advance of German soldiers on a British battlefield during WWI. Far-fetched? Maybe. But the tattoo is a testament to the power of myth and epitomizes the band’s ghostly, but sincere, feel. (Appearing with The Paper Chase and Eluvium at Metro on March 28) –text: Brendan Dabkowski