THE DRUMS, SURFER BLOOD(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) It makes sense that Brooklyn band the Drums' self-titled debut opens with breathy moaning and lyrics about waiting on "the hood of your car"—sighing recline and wistful longing seem to be the band's most natural positions. That sampled breath and drum beat are like some wimped-up idea of Elastica's "Car Song," while the next two tracks have the kind of down-stroked guitars, slight melodic lines, and metronomic-yet-propulsive drums that typified the Strokes' streamlined approach to rock rhythm. These are all front-loaded red herrings, though, as the album soon settles down into hand clapping, classicist dream pop, and fey 1950s doo-wop, submerging playground jump-rope cadences ("Let's Go Surfing") and Beach Boys choruses (the mopey "fun fun fun" of "I Need Fun in My Life") in lightly reverbed melancholy, all swooning guitars and affected British accents and the kind of fainting pleas that Morrissey has made his life's work (although without Moz's occasional snarl). For boys who feel the pains of being soft at heart. ERIC GRANDY
HOSANNAS, AAN, DANA BUOY(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) It was a bit of a surprise to hear that Hosannas halved their ranks earlier this year; Richard and Brandon Laws had just hit their stride as a four-piece with keyboardist Christof Hendrickson and drummer Lane Barrington, changing their name from Church, releasing the splendid Song Force Crystal full-length, and taking command of a flawless and powerful live show. Now after an amicable departure from Hendrickson and Barrington, Hosannas is down to the two Laws brothers, although their latest record Together features all four. It will be interesting to see what happens to Hosannas as a duo—Together is further evidence of their fragmented approach to songwriting, resulting in fascinating and utterly unique space lullabies. It will also be interesting to see where Hendrickson ends up; helming a collection of vintage synthesizers, he crafts some of the best keyboard parts in town. NED LANNAMANN
JAMIE LIDELL, ZEUS(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th) If you've witnessed the wonders of Jamie Lidell in concert before, surely you can attest that the man is a site to behold. Touring in support of this year's Compass, Lidell combines beatboxing, crooning, and enough slinking soul jams to keep the dance floor sizzling throughout the night. Warning: Tonight you might freak a total stranger. EZRA ACE CARAEFF
The Sword and Raven, as well as a link to the complete show listings, after the jump!