A band that somehow combines elements of folk, rock, bluegrass, punk and pop must be putting you on. But the beauty of the Avett Brothers is that they're nothing if not sincere. How else to explain a lyric like, "I wish you'd see yourself as beautiful as I see you"? It's as if the roots of Americana time-traveled to the present day to stake a claim in the land of post-modernity. In the old-school simplicity of acoustic music’s melody and harmony, the Avett Brothers have found a way to create originality through the past. With that bygone sound comes a bygone attitude — one that worries less and feels more. So it should come as no surprise that the Avetts named their most recent album Emotionalism. It's music based on feeling rather than reason. And, by the sounds of it, reason doesn't stand a chance. (Appearing at House of Blues on May 14) --text: Tim Slowikowski--photo: Crackerfarm

Portland-based duo Helio Sequence smartly appeals to everyone’s musical guilty pleasures and masks them with frontman Brandon Summers’ raspy vocals to make them cool again. The group’s latest effort, Keep Your Eyes Ahead (Sub Pop), is loaded with pop charm and a certain allegiance to simplicity. The irresistible anthem of the title track is certainly radio-friendly, while "Lately" and "Hallelujah" are just a few toms short of sounding like Bono derivatives. "The Captive Mind" manages to be almost disco yet still sound like Helio Sequence. Summers’ vocals tie these shiny tracks together with more folk-inspired acoustic songs like "Broken Afternoon", "Shed Your Love", and "No Regrets." Simple shakers and harmonica solos support the generally encouraging tone of the songs while subtle locomotion backing tracks keep things reflective. Go ahead and drag your dad to the concert. You may never have to listen to his Rattle And Hum cassette tape again. (Appearing with Bronze and Yourself & the Air at Empty Bottle on May 15) --text: Elissa Pociask--photo: Pavlina

K Records stalwarts Old Time Relijun have been kicking around since 1995, but it would seem as if few people have been taken with their brand of Middle Eastern-influenced gypsy dance punk. Or is it, as one YouTube user described their sound, "confused garage dub meets psycho hillbilly"? Either way, last year’s Catharsis in Crisis was one of 2007’s most brilliantly off-putting albums. And 'off-putting' is a description that can be used as either a complement or an insult in the context of Old Time Relijun’s consistently confounding music. In spite of all this, one thing’s for certain: a wise man once said that confusion is next and next after that, the truth. And with tracks like "Indestructible Life" and "Vampyr Victym", it is this slogan that Old Time Relijun has taken to its chaotic heart — and, in doing so, will proceed to make you dance your ass off. (Appearing at Abbey Pub on May 20) --text: Jon Graef--photo: Michael Elvin

It’s been more than four years, but Jason Stollsteimer is still the guy who got knocked the fuck out by a one-armed, cast-wielding Jack White. Call it tragic; label him a victim of "what have you done for me lately" ADD, but the Von Bondies’ frontman seems to be stuck with the tag. It might not be as prevalent if the hard rock outfit hadn’t faded away into an extended hiatus over the past few years in the wake of a grueling tour. But as it stands, Michigan’s other garage-revivalist’s longstanding impression on the public remains Stollsteimer's puffy, purple eye swollen shut rather than his booming voice. So when the band resurfaced in 2007 with a new EP and restructured lineup, Stollsteimer sounded revitalized enough to put that ass whooping behind him. And the band’s third LP, Love, Hate and Then There’s You, slated for release this year on Sire, might just do that…but I wouldn't count on it. (Appearing with Die! Die! Die! at Subterranean on May 15) –text: Derek Wright

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