Our Critics' Picks

THURSDAY 12/27

MusicCHICAGO AFROBEAT The most obvious question with this Fela Kuti-inspired ensemble is: How are they different from fellow Afrobeat torchbearers Antibalas? Chicago Afrobeat proves Antibalas’ claim that Afrobeat is a genre unto itself that can be approached in myriad ways. Chicago Afrobeat distinguish themselves on a number of levels—seeing them on the same bill as Antibalas would even work—and highlight different (less arty) aspects of Kuti’s sound. They strip the music down to its essential components while retaining a grittiness that eludes Antibalas. The rhythms are snakier, the grooves funkier and the horn work edgier, creating a hypnotic space in which to get carried away—you might even get lost in dance, as well you should. 9 p.m. at Mercy Lounge; Saturday, 29th at Wall Street —SABY REYES-KULKARNI

Bye Bye RayI CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU: RAY CHARLES AND COUNTRY MUSIC As the Country Music Hall of Fame gears up for its hotly anticipated Hank Williams exhibit, you have through New Year’s Eve to catch its exhaustive overview of Ray Charles’ longtime affiliation with honky-tonk music. Included are such totems as his piano and alto saxophone (the one pictured on 1958’s Ray Charles at Newport), Don Gibson’s handwritten lyrics for the song that gives the exhibit its title and the Braille slate Charles used early on for correspondence—not to mention Brother Ray’s trademark sunglasses. After the 31st, it’s hello emptiness—but thankfully not for long: As Hank would say, “Move it on over!” Through Dec. 31 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum —JIM RIDLEY

FRIDAY 12/28

MusicBE YOUR OWN PET Last year, a rag-tag group of local teenagers landed themselves on more than a few prominent best-of-2006 lists. Be Your Own Pet’s self-titled full-length debut for Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace Records is a sonic snapshot of the punk quartet’s manic, yet playful live set. Frontwoman Jemina Pearl commands the stage, while the reckless energy of guitarist Jonas Stein and bassist Nathan Vasquez threatens to trump their responsibilities to their instruments. While the band’s side-projects have remained hyperactive, local BYOP gigs have grown sparse. On the bill are The Beta Macks (also playing Saturday at Exit/In), who combine the melodicism of The Smiths with the dark backdrop of Depeche Mode. Opening is one-woman wrecking crew Unicorn Hard-On, whose synth-heavy noise, while obtuse and irregular, still maintains a distinct danceability. 9 p.m. at The End —MATT SULLIVAN

MusicGRAND PALACE CHRISTMAS BASH Keeping the Yule Log burning just a few days longer, Murfreesboro’s homegrown bohemians and indie rock do-it-yourselfers Grand Palace are filling out the limbo-esque weekend between Christmas and New Year’s with an official Christmas Bash at Exit/In. The line up features underage power trio Kindergarten Circus, who belt out the kind of savage angst only teenagers can muster; Turncoats will provide their razor sharp vintage pop ’n’ roll in the form of sweet, simple punk jams; and, rounding out the evening, Hands Down Eugene, who keep it on the down low with their dreamy psychedelic pop. Of course, no Grand Palace event would be proper without DJ Bawston Sean behind the turntables, no doubt spinning classic soul favorites and forgotten funk even your parents don’t remember. 9 p.m. at Exit/In —SETH GRAVES

Cover MusicIS SHE WEIRD, IS SHE WHITE? W/THE TEENAGE FBI Think you’re the world’s biggest Pixies fan? Bobby Bare Jr. might have you beat. His critically acclaimed 2006 album The Longest Meow embraced a more Southern incarnation of the Pixies’ signature loud-quiet-loud dynamic, and featured a unique cover of Surfa Rosa standout “Where Is My Mind.” He managed to make it his own, boding well for Bare and the armada of Nashville musicians—culled from both Forget Cassettes and his band, the Young Criminal Starvation League—who make up the aptly titled Pixies cover band Is She Weird, Is She White? Joined by The Teenage FBI, a Guided By Voices tribute featuring members of local favorite Lone Official, Bare and company will undoubtedly be “slicing up eyeballs.” 9:30 p.m. at Mercy Lounge —MURRAY SHARP

Two Nights of MusicCASEY DRIESSEN 2007 has been a good year for fiddle phenom Casey Driessen, starting off with a Grammy nomination for his tour de force deconstruction of bluegrass standard “Jerusalem Ridge” and moving through appearances solo, with the Sparrow Quartet (Bela Fleck, Ben Sollee, Abigail Washburn) and with his band Colorfools. Driessen’s not the only artist who’s meshed post-modern moves with an old-time sensibility—or is it the other way around?—but he’s one of the most consistently engaging. This pair of shows starts off quietly, with Driessen joined in an acoustic duo by former Wisechild bandmate Luke Bulla, a scarily virtuosic multi-instrumentalist and soulful singer who, like Driessen, has pursued his own eclectic path between high-profile sideman stints. The second night opens up broader horizons, offering Colorfools (drummer Tom Giampetro plus fill-in bassist Jason Oettel), a free-wheeling outfit that Driessen describes as a “power trio with fiddle and an old-time backbeat.” Those who like to sort their music into neat categories should take a pass, but anyone with adventurous ears will find a lot to like—including Kentucky jamgrass openers Bawn In The Mash—in both shows. 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday at Station Inn —JON WEISBERGER