The All-American Rejects, Celebration, Lucky Boys Confusion, Pelican

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS
With the success of The All-American Rejects song “Move Along” in 2004, few bands can claim the ability to still hear several of their singles constantly in radio rotation two years later. The band was formed by then-teenagers Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, who took what was left of their Christmas money and fled the confines of their parents’ homes in Nebraska to New York to become stars. The risky move obviously paid off. The Rejects prove that there is still a market for pop-rock-emo spiced with “why don’t you love me / why’d you leave me” tracks, as they continue to excavate quite a following despite failing to release any new material in years. Jumping from Dreamworks to Interscope after a merger left the band in the scrap heap, Interscope is credited with seeing the potential of these young artists and encouraging The Rejects to get back in the studio to churn out another album following their winter-spring tour. Get your radios ready. (Appearing with Motion City Soundtrack and The Format at the Aragon on Dec. 19) –text: Jyn Radakovits–photo: Mattias Clamer

CELEBRATION
Husband and wife team Katrina Ford and Sean Antanaitis burst out of the Baltimore punk scene with their self titled debut last year. Adding in David Bergander, the trio creates punkish rock music filled with shrill, shouting vocals from Ford and rapid-paced background organ music. Since Ford sang on TV on the Radio’s debut, band member David Sitek ended up producing Celebration’s full-length. Songs like “War,” “Foxes,” and “New Skin” are theatrical and bold — as Antanaitis plays all the instruments except for the drums, giving new meaning to multi-tasking. The band’s approach has been documented: “I like to get to the point which flamenco artists call duende, which is when you completely lose your sense of self, and you’re completely absorbed with the spirit-the demon-of music,” said Ford in an interview. Spirits and demons — now that’s something worth checking out. (Appearing with The Eternals at Schubas on Dec. 18) –text: Garin Pirnia–photo: Samara Golden

LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION
As the band some call the missing link between mainstream pop and corporate rock, Lucky Boys Confusion has no trouble pumping out album after album of eclectic and punky rock mixed with a sweet melodic flow of pop influence with memorable hooks. After the demise of Elektra, some feared the local act wouldn’t be able to find another home after releasing four albums. What shook loose from the subsequent self titled recording sessions became some of the band’s best work, with a slightly tougher edge and slicker production value, unlike some of their previous work which was slightly devoid of bite. While LBC tunes have never been terribly complex in their makeup, the elements of all genres they combine makes for a feel-good memorable experience for the listener. LBC is rumored to be going on hiatus after their Chicago appearances this month, perhaps returning to the stage sometime in the spring. (Appearing at Metro on Dec. 29-30) –text: Jyn Radakovits

PELICAN
No doubt inspired by many a dark Chicago winter, the city’s premier instrumental outfit, Pelican, play a dense, moody and at times suffocating form of metal for shoegazer types. Their songs flow in movements, from the quiet and lumbering to an often cathartic kind of controlled chaos. Pelican’s most recent critically acclaimed record, The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, appeared on countless “Top 10″ lists and enabled the band — guitarists Trevor de Brauw and Laurent Lebec and the brothers Herweg — to relocate to sunny L.A., where they will hopefully be inspired to elevate their sound to a whole new level. And, with the gradual but steady success of like-minded bands such as Isis and Russian Circles, Pelican may soon find themselves spokesmen for this exciting new generation of genre-benders. (Appearing with Lichens and Suicide Note at Subterranean on Dec. 22) –text: Mike Scales