In Up & Coming:

Arctic Monkeys

(Showbox at the Market) The initial appeal of Sheffield, England, band Arctic Monkeys, if I'm recalling the middle-aughts correctly, was meant to be their immediacy, not only in the sense of their rapid, file-sharing-fueled rise from obscurity to top of the pops, but also in the twitchy tempo, brash guitars, and hormonally charged attitude of their breakout single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor." So it's odd catching up with them a few years later, having paid scant attention to their sophomore album or side projects since, to find them markedly mellowed on their new full-length, Humbug. The Josh Homme—produced album is slower, darker, and almost lethargically lurching compared to the band's earlier albums; nothing really makes a racket or a sudden move until nine tracks in, with the smash-and-grab verses of "Pretty Visitors." The overall effect is a little like Franz Ferdinand at their most languidly lecherous—a not entirely bad thing. ERIC GRANDY

The Soft Pack, Rainbow Bridge

(Crocodile) Musically, it's difficult not to compare San Diego slack-rockers the Soft Pack (formerly the Muslims) to the Strokes, as has been done before in these pages. It's a polarizing comparison no doubt, but here it's by all means a compliment. Few bands write such effortlessly catchy material with such minimal ingredients—taut, rudimentary rhythms; tasteful, fuzzed-out guitar work; and leisurely yet soulful vocals. Soft Pack frontman Matt Lamkin channels Julian Casablancas with vague hints of Richard Hell, and his drawn-out croon juxtaposed with the band's swift, self-assured compositions makes for one of the most pleasantly accessible rock formulas since the time when the Strokes produced good songs. GRANT BRISSEY

Bad Brains, P.O.S.

(El Corazón) I love Bad Brains, but I can't get over their infamous homophobic tune "Don't Blow Bubbles," which mars an otherwise perfect album, Quickness. True, Rastafarianism, as with Islam and much of Christianity, scorns homosexuality. But Bad Brains were less Rastas and more musical revolutionaries. The band was something utterly new, something never seen or heard before: four black Americans detonating reggae philosophy and social criticism with the raw power of punk. "I Against I," "Return to Heaven," "Destroy Babylon"—how could such an innovative band be so backward on homosexuality? Without this flaw, Bad Brains easily could have been the greatest thing to happen to rock in the last 20 years of the 20th century. CHARLES MUDEDE

Ruff Gemz: Japanther, Sam Rousso Sound System

(Lo-Fi) Raucous monthly dance party Ruff Gemz (full disclosure: Stranger music editor Eric Grandy is one of its resident DJs, but he's sitting out this edition) goes for a punk-rock infusion tonight with Brooklyn's Japanther. The Big Apple duo (Ian Vanek and Matt Reilly) keep things eminently danceable, so Ruff Gemz regulars won't miss their quota of bounceworthy beats. If you have a problem with instantly catchy, Casio SK-1—enhanced melodies and rambunctious, revel-atory rhythms, then you should give Japanther a wide berth. Everyone else, come gorge at the fun banquet. DAVE SEGAL

Looking for more? Search our online calendar for a complete listing of concerts and live music tonight.