Kevin Bronson on March 12th, 2009

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[One of the Airborne Toxic Event’s new fans (see DJ picks), Adam Clayton of U2, celebrates a birthday today. Now, to highlight a few of the avalanche of good shows tonight …]

Syd Straw has always been a marvel, whether lending her voice to the amazing Golden Palominos or fashioning solo work that is as much nutrition for the brain as it is sweets for the ears. She brings her estimable storytelling skills to the Redwood Bar downtown, offering a rare opportunity to see her in very cozy environs. … Montreal trio Plants and Animals’ sprawling, almost whimsical take on classic rock went over quite well in January when they performed at First Fridays at the Natural History Museum. Now, in the middle of a monthlong national tour, the band [pictured] plays a proper club show at the Echo – perfectly billed with locals Castledoor and Avi Buffalo. … Cursive’s new album “Mama, I’m Swollen” (out this week on Saddle Creek), is getting some flak for being a departure from the band’s previous two albums, but I like its dirty little melodramas. The Omaha band is at Spaceland tonight the Troubadour tomorrow. … And Elvis Perkins released “Elvis Perkins in Dearland” this week too – his sophomore album is a downright beautiful batch of folky anthems that, compared to his rather solemn debut, ranges wider emotionally and hits the mark for almost all of its 44 minutes. Perkins is at the Troubadour tonight. … Other great stuff tonight: Yelle (with Casxio) at the El Rey; Raul Malo and Shelby Lynn at the House of Blues; De La Soul at the Key Club. Whew.

||| Download: Plants and Animals’ “Bye Bye Bye”

||| Download: Elivs Perkins’ “Shampoo”