BORIS, RED SPAROWES, HELMS ALEE
The sludgerific metal of Japan's Boris is big, heavy, loud, and trippy as hell, but there's more than meets the eye: Embracing drone, noise, and psych, they make music that's arty and expansive, but isn't boring for a second—and it never forgets to rock. NL
w/Red Sparowes, Helms Alee; Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th, 8:30 pm, $15-17, all ages
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TRUMANS WATER, ASTROLOGY
(East End, 203 SE Grand) It's been quite some time since we heard from the brothers Branstetter: Kirk and Kevin, the two San Diegans who started the caroming clang of their band Trumans Water way back in 1991. Their last full-length was in 2003, but that's because the brothers spend time on opposite sides of the globe: Kevin in France, and Kirk right here in Portland. A new disc—Trumans' 13th overall—gets released today on Asthmatic Kitty, and O Zeta Zunis is just as loopy as the "squiggle-core" band's previous work. This time 'round they're joined by the Bugs' Mike Coumatos on bass and the Last of the Juanitas' John Schier on the drum kit. To add to the good news, Asthmatic Kitty is going to re-release the Trumans Water back catalog. You really couldn't ask for anything more: new record, old stuff reissued, and an honest-to-goodness live show tonight. So welcome back, Trumans Water; you been gone too long. NL
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EMILY WELLS, SARAH JAFFE
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) The lovely folk music of Sarah Jaffe walks a fine line. The 24-year-old has spent time touring with likeminded acts like Midlake and Lou Barlow, but just as easily she shifts gears and supports Norah Jones. It's a nice balancing act, one abundantly clear on Jaffe's debut long-player, Suburban Nature. The Denton resident (a city that in recent years has become the best musical outlet in the Lone Star State) expresses a natural ease throughout Suburban Nature, one that extends from the teenage remorse of lead single "Clementine" ("We were young, we were young, we were young, we didn't care") to the album's ambitious closing farewell, "Perfect Plan." No matter if your allegiances align with the Sebadoh frontman or with NoJo, chances are you'll walk away from this show a lifelong Jaffe supporter. EAC
As always, you can find our complete live music listings here.