list.in.to.chicago this week: 05.19.2014

Normally I'll skip the Monday listings when I publish late, but I'll make an exception this time.

Pick of the week
It's too late for Elbow (Monday at House of Blues), but there are plenty of other good options, including Eels on Saturday at The Vic and Trans Am on Sunday at Empty Bottle. Plus, a brand-new room opening on Wednesday.

list.in.to.COZ
Regular office hours at Vaughan's on Tuesday night. Diver is off until July.

Recap
So it turns out Diver can surface an idea for a new song, not really commit to having it ready for a particular show, and still pull it off. But we sort of knew that already. In this case, it was "The Middle" from Jimmy Eat World.

5.19   monday
Elbow with John Grant (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
The Manchester band has only played a handful of U.S. shows since winning the U.K. Mercury Prize all the way back in 2008 for The Seldom-Seen Kid. I'm a little worried that my expectations for this one will be unrealistic.

Kick the Cat with General Zod (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Early in the week is typically when Ray scratches his jazz fusion itch at the North Center club.

Pelican (Owl Lounge)
Special "surprise" show in Logan Square as part of Craft Beer Week.

5.20   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I have a vague notion of learning or re-learning some Elbow songs to commemorate their Chicago appearance, but the songs don't lend themselves to solo guitar treatment, so don't hold your breath.

Black Label Society with Down, Devil You Know, Butcher Babies (House of Blues)
So, I think maybe Zakk Wylde will have his guitars on lockdown before and after this show, after one got nicked at the Hendrix show in March. It has since been located and returned to the former Ozzy guitarist.

Roister (Martyrs')
While the band is boasting Zappa alumni Ray White, Tom Fowler, Albert Wing and Robert Martin, I don't think it's actually another Zappa repertory band. Then again, I think bands have been forced to stop making explicit reference to playing Zappa material or risk legal action.

5.21   wednesday
Metronomy with Cloud Control (Metro)
The English electro-pop band has gotten a lot of positive press with their new record, but it's a bit long on sweet and short on substance for me. It sounds nice, but the songs don't seem to hold up.

Panda Bear (Thalia Hall)
The Animal Collective offshoot is the first show at the new Thalia Hall music venue, which is to say, the old Thalia Hall in Pilsen, but rebuilt into a modern music venue.

5.22   thursday
Failure (Metro)
I knew that the guys in Tool were really close to this band back before they broke up, but I didn't realize that "The Nurse Who Loved Me" from A Perfect Circle's second record was a cover. They're generally described as a bit of a psychedelic spin on early 90s "active" rock, and their short lifespan may add some mystique and romanticism to their place in the alt-rock firmament.

5.23   friday
The Faint with Reptar, Darren Keen (Metro)
Post-Nine Inch Nails industrial rock by way of Omaha, Nebraska. Last time out, they were celebrating the anniversary of the Danse Macabre album, but now they have a new record to support.

Oz Noy, Oteil Burbridge, and Keith Carlock with Frank Catalano & Paul Wertico (Martyrs')
I think Keith Carlock was just here with the Ringers last week, and now he's backing up guitarist Oz Noy and former Aquarium Rescue Unit bassist Oteil Burbridge for what looks like another night in which all the notes will be played.

John McLean Quartet (Green Mill)
A bit more of a "traditional" guitar jazz set from a long-time Chicago guitarist. Although I haven't seen his name as much lately, so for all I know, he moved away and is just coming through.

5.24   saturday
Eels with Chelsea Wolfe (The Vic)
One of my favorite records from last year was last year's gritty, well-crafted Wonderful, Glorious, but the followup has sort of taken me by surprise, so I haven't listened to it much yet.

AM Taxi with Young Distractions, American Scarecrows, Fall Four (Beat Kitchen)
Haven't seen as much of these guys since the passing of their Lucky Boys Confusion bandmate two years ago, and it's close enough to the actually anniversary of Joe Sell's death that I can't imagine the night will go by with the band only focusing on their new EP.

Rebecca Rego & the Trainmen with Caroline Rose, Kelsey Wild (Schubas)
Good to see the Chicago ex-patriate (and former Village Tap bartender) back in town with her band.

Oz Noy, Oteil Burbridge, and Keith Carlock with Frank Catalano & Paul Wertico (Martyrs')
See Friday's listing.

John McLean Quartet (Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

5.25   sunday
Trans Am with Cave, Kava (Empty Bottle)
Post-rock can hit that sweet spot of having a quiet intensity without actually being, you know, quiet. I feel like what I've heard from Trans Am hits that mark, and I've heard lots about Cave in the last year or so.

Victor Wooten (SPACE, Evanston)
An evening of lead bass can be a tall order for some folks, but the Béla Fleck and the Flecktons bassist sideman makes the most of it, using loops and percussive technique to great effect.

Talib Kweli (Metro)
With his former Black Star partner Mos Def cancelling last week, hopefully Kweli's show goes off without a hitch.