This British group led by Jason Swinscoe seems to record with Frank Zappa’s late-'60s aspiration to create a "movie for your ears" a la Zappa's 1969 classic Hot Rats. Zappa’s penchant for jazz fusion runs strong within the Orchestra, especially on tunes like "Child Song" and "As The Stars Fall." Ma Fleur is perhaps their most reserved effort to date, with its drawn-out arrangements seeming to be a terrestrial take on Sigur Ros’ earlier efforts. If the band constantly attempts to soundtrack life, they focus a little too much on the mundane — and not enough on the chaos, unpredictability, or (most disappointingly) blissful pleasures. The reflective, rainy day nature of their songs overall is enjoyable, despite the rare moments that sound like a run-down version of Coldplay. If you attend the show, bring an ample supply of patience but rid yourself of cynicism — for their fragile arrangements just might billow into an awesome spectacle on stage. (Appearing at Abbey Pub on Sept. 22) --text: Nick Meador

Back in high school I was in a jam band and spent a lot of time listening to Phish and other jammy variations as such. One such variation that struck me as especially unique, if not for their music as much as their setup, was Bela Fleck and the Flecktones — whom I saw a long time ago at Ravinia. Consisting of electric jazz/folk banjo, mind-blowing funk bass along with some sort of keyboard drums, this trio intrigued me and also made my guitar/bass/drum sensibilities ultimately insecure. Could something like this actually work? How can it be a jam band with no feedback, wah-wah or congas? And no (or not much) singing? Work it did, and work it shall once again. Expect to hear real compositions, incredible funk-outs, wacky tick-tack-thump beats as well as a diverse crowd consisting of stoned college professors, festival people and jazz-heads. (Appearing at Dominican University on Sept. 22) --text: Billy Kenefick

What is it about the little heart-shaped state of Ohio that spawned such quirky, multi-dimensional art-punk bands in the late ’70s? Riding the post-punk new wave into something they called ‘avant garage’, Pere Ubu formed in 1975 out of the demise of Rocket From the Tombs and have been playing off and on for the last 30 years. After many lineup changes, only singer David Thomas remains from the alleged original incarnation. It’s easy to see why this band wasn’t for everyone, as they challenged pop music conventions and gave a platform to surreal, avant-garde attitudes and out-there sounds. Especially annoying, if you don’t look beyond the surface, are things like the title of their newest release, Why I Hate Women; the fact that the band embraced Cold War ideas and the ugliness of gutted Rust Belt cities; and its shying away from interviews, photos and press of all kinds. But looking — and listening — beyond the surface is often the only place real literature and music can be found. (Appearing with Ulrich Schnauss and Hair Police at Empty Bottle on Sept. 27) --text: Brendan Dabkowski--photo: Lex Van Rossen & Smog Veil Records

If in 20 years time White Magic’s musical catalogue has not been adapted into an earth-based religion or Broadway musical, I will be shocked. Falling under a horribly broad category, White Magic touches upon various cultures and versions of folk music. Tracks begin with simple riffs that gradually grow more complex with the addition of each new instrument, naturally gaining momentum to carry through with an incessant tribal drone. Lead singer Mira Billotte (of Quix*o*tic) mixes yodeling with a bizarre, Tarzan-like rattle, leading in meditative chants which split off in harmonies and rounds — adding greater depth and vibrancy to each track. On other tracks, weighty, syncopated piano vamps, which sound like the clattering of galloping horses, recreate a ragtime/honky tonk aesthetic. Wandering nomadically across octaves, Billotte’s vocals dilate and add interesting new dimensions with consistency and effortlessness. (Appearing with Holy Fuck and Badawi at Empty Bottle on Sept. 26) --text: Amy Kaufman

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