THE GROUCH, DJ FRESH, BROTHER ALI, SNUGGLES, ELIGH, LOS RAKAS
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Honest, personal lyrics are not exactly what you expect from hiphop these days, but Brother Ali stands apart. Sometimes political, sometimes tackling tough issues of religion and race (Ali himself is albino), his songs are always heartfelt and empowering, engaging the audience like they're a room full of his best friends. VIRGINIA THAYER
ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD, ROYAL MONSTERS, IOA, LEE COREY OSWALD
(The Artistery, 4315 SE Division) Funny lyrics about Con Air and the awkwardness of personal songwriting ("at least we're saying something/And I hope that no one's listening/ Because this is kind of embarrassing/And everyone who hears this thinks we're joking") can only go so far. But Andrew Jackson Jihad backs up the They Might Be Giants-style white-boy faux-lofty musing with actual songwriting skills—rocked-up folk songs with horns and a wall of guitars—and a sense that they won't kill a song's essence for a cheap joke. It's rare that you encounter a jokey, quirky band that feels like a collection of people you think would actually be smart and literate in "real life." AJJ is just doing what comes naturally, and they sound good doing it. PAUL CONSTANT
TAME IMPALA, STARDEATH AND WHITE DWARVES
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Read our article on Tame Impala.
System and Station, and Low, as well as a link to the complete show listings, after the jump!