Tom Lynch

Dan Snaith’s glorious Caribou (formerly Manitoba) offered the winning "Andorra" (Merge) late last summer, a glowing collection of Beach Boys-inspired psych pop that later on the record transforms into a heavenly electronic instrumental parade. Snaith sings more than usual on this affair (at least during the first half), and the record benefits, as opener "Melody Day" and, later, "She’s the One," are two of the best songs the percussionist—and math wizard—has put to tape. The pulsing live experience will have you reeling. Helping out tonight is the much-buzzed Fuck Buttons, duo Andrew Hung and Benjamin John Power’s alarming noise-rock experiment. Their debut album, "Street Horrrsing," is a wall of fuzz and noise and distorted, indecipherable vocal howling. The result? A beautifully hypnotic electro-revolution of the mind. A nightmare journey down the empty, echoing halls of a long-abandoned asylum. An after-hours creepy crawl. The last sound before rapture.

Caribou and Fuck Buttons play April 11 at Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western, (773)276-3600, at 7pm & 10pm. $10-$12. (2008-04-08)

Also by Tom Lynch

Lucky You
Matthew Caws speaks quietly at a measured pace, not unlike how he sings one of his ballads. A tender tone persists just this side of protected laziness—he puts you at ease, even if he isn’t
(2008-04-01)

Tip of the Week
Every year there’s a new band that sets the Internet ablaze with hype and buzz so early that by the time the band releases a record, the backlash is potent and aggressive. Brooklyn’s gang of snotty Columbia grads, Vampire Weekend, have experienced this, but none of the detractors actually discuss the music
(2008-04-01)

Death Knell
Robert Moore and Neil Simon’s 1976 film "Murder by Death" is a spoof on the traditional whodunit, not unlike "Clue," which stars Peter Sellers, David Niven, Peter Falk and, oddly, Truman Capote. Bloomington, Indiana band Murder by Death takes its name from that reasonably obscure film and has sculpted four theatrical and conceptual full-length records since its 2000 creation, most recently this month’s "Red of Tooth and Claw," the most penetrating rock ‘n’ roll record of the group’s catalogue
(2008-03-25)

Tip of the Week
Cryptacize’s debut, "Dig That Treasure," is gorgeously befuddling. Built from clean, unpredictable guitars, a harp, some strings, sporadic percussion and Nedelle Torrisi’s pretty, sometimes haunting voice (and, later, what sounds like a slightly broken harmonica), the band seemingly intends to drive you absolutely crazy
(2008-03-25)

Garbage Man
(2008-03-18)

Tip of the Week
(2008-03-18)

The Turn of the Century
(2008-03-18)

Soundcheck
(2008-03-11)

Tip of the Week
(2008-03-11)

Soundcheck
(2008-03-05)

Tip of the Week
(2008-03-05)

Tip of the Week
(2008-03-05)

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