Wednesday December 5top

Aimee Mann

[SIREN POP] After releasing her Christmas album, One More Drifter in the Snow, last winter, Aimee Mann began a small series of yuletide-themed concerts—star-studded affairs that consciously sought to recapture the variety-show revues of generations past, rather like Bing Crosby's wartime Christmas cavalcades, absent the radio broadcast and adding some seasonal affective disorder. Mann's originals arrive as singably bleak insta-standards: Few artists can so cheeselessly wring the poignancy from sentimental chestnuts (Charlie Brown's "Christmas Time Is Here" steeped in dignified whimsy), but it's the comfortable staging, time-worn but never old-fashioned, that warms the cockles. Ever-rotating guests to include Nellie McKay, Grant Lee Phillips and members of the Decemberists. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $35.50. Map

Viva Voce, Ohmega Watts, Boy Eats Drum Machine

[HIP-HOP MEETS PSYCH-POP] See music feature. 9:30 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. Free. All ages. Map

Don Caballero, Enablers, Thrones

[INSTRUMENTAL MATH-ROCK] Throughout the '90s, Don Caballero put instrumental math rock on the map with a seemingly endless stream of albums and singles that defied all logic of 4/4 rock while also avoiding the introverted trappings of fusion jazz. Then, before anyone could count out a 5/16th measure, the band broke up in Y2K. Guitarist Ian Williams landed in the equally innovative instrumental act Battles, and after a brief spell in Bellini, notoriously tempestuous drummer Damon Che reformed Don Caballero with all new members in 2003. Don Cab Mach 2 released its exquisitely complex Relapse Records debut, World Class Listening Problem, in 2006. DAVE CLIFFORD. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $14. All ages. Map

DJs Atom 13, Soil

  East Chinatown Lounge, 322 NW Everett St., 226-1659. Map

Katsura Yamauchi w/ Arrington de Dionyso, Jonathan Sielaff & Matt Hannafin

[FREE NOISE/JAZZ] When someone like Arrington de Dionyso—the throat-singing frontman of noise-funk band Old Time Relijun—proclaims himself the "James Bond of Free Improvisation,” it’s probably a well-earned title. De Dionyso and Old Time Relijun are known for purposely spitting in the face of musical genre, using horns, warbly vocals and spastic blues riffs to create unidentifiable music. But de Dionyso has stiff competition from Katsura Yamauchi, a 53-year-old Japanese saxophonist known for his soft but stirring free-jazz compositions. Hearing these two musicians onstage together could go two ways: a compelling performance of completely original music, or a competition for the Strangest Musician on Earth Award. Either way, the results will be ear-shattering. PAIGE RICHMOND. 8 pm. Funky Church, 2456 SE Tamarack Ave., . Donation. All ages. Map

Portland Cello Project feat. Horse Feathers and 3 Leg Torso

[CLASSI-COOL] Cellos (or is it celli?) are cool again. This thanks in large part to the laudable efforts of the singular Portland Cello Project, one of the fastest-rising ensembles forged in this city’s hot indie-meets-classical scene. Usually bored (although you really shouldn’t be) by Bach? Underwhelmed by Vivaldi or Villa-Lobos? You’ll hear it with new ears after the Cello Project takes it for a spin. The PCP is joined tonight by Porltand's own endlessly lovely and lovable chamber-folk outfit Horse Feathers as well as the inimitable 3 Leg Torso. STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. 8 pm. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $8. All ages. Map

Flogging Molly

[CELTIC PUNK] While Flogging Molly must be weary of the inevitable comparisons to Shane MacGowan's sprawling legacy (Googling "Flogging Molly" plus "Pogues" garners 262,000 results), it's been given something of a critical free pass from the rather superficial similarities. With Celtic instrumentation wed to punk-by-numbers, the boys rarely leave fifth gear and too often sound like tweaked Orange County jobbers rocketing through barely originals with whatever lay around the Irish bar past close—which about describes their origins. There's little of the organic clash of cultures and literate sentimentality informing the Pogues' best, and, y'know, they're touring again as well. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Roseland, 8 NW 6th Ave., 219-9929 (Grill), 224-2038 (Theater). $21. All ages. Map

Jewmongous

[KOSHER COMIC] On the second night of Hanukkah, my Portland gave to me: a Jew singing comically. Local members of the tribe may recall Sean Altman and then-collaborator Rob Tannenbaum visiting a few years back with their revue, "What I Like About Jew." But that partnership has since dissolved, and Altman (who also founded vocal group Rockapella and co-wrote its Carmen Sandiego theme song) now does solo shtick—foul-mouthed, irreverent solo shtick, actually, like the that's-just-so-wrong faux drinking song "Christian Baby Blood." JEFF ROSENBERG. 7:30 pm. White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. $20. All ages. Map

Thursday December 6top

John Ross

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. 21+. Map

Supersuckers, Top Heavy Crush, Muddy River Nightmare Band

[FIVE-DOLLAH GOOD TIME] A Supersuckers live show is the kind of thing that—like a good bit of juvenile humor or a night of drinking too much—always retains a certain charm. Which is not to sell the hardworkin' rockabilly/punk stalwarts short; Eddie Spaghetti and crew have been at it for 20 freakin' years now, and their rock ’n’ roll stamina is all the better for it. Whether it's sarcastic, goofy forays into country ("Non-Addictive Marijuana"), fret-burning rockers ("Creepy Jackalope Eye") or more sentimental (really!) numbers like "One Cigarette Away," the ’suckers have a little something for everyone. And for five buckaroos, you've no excuse not to share in the fun. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9:30 pm. Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. $5. All ages. Map

Southerly, Graves, BOAT

[POP AWESOMENESS!] First off, let me say I have nothing against Southerly. In fact, I think frontman Krist (real name) Krueger is a fine songwriter who embodies a lot of what could feel old about Portland (hoodies, self-deprecation, mass consumption of cheap beer) in an endearing way. And his fuzzy folk songs have a darkness that's both uncomfortable and warmly familiar. However, I just don't see how Seattle's "sloppy pop saviors," BOAT, get billed to open for, well, anyone! Granted, I have no concept of these bands' respective popularity, but if you had a super-fun pop sensation on your hands (and Graves' wonderfully lazy, jazz-pop slotted in between), wouldn't you wanna hear it last? You know, so you leave feeling good, instead of like burying your hoodie-clad head in the sand? I thought so. Any way you slice it, though, this is an effing great lineup. I do not say "show up early" lightly. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $6. All ages. Map

Southern Belle, World's Greatest Ghosts, Ghosties

[DARK POP] Southern Belle’s Ross McCleron sings like a softer version of Portland acoustic pop purveyor Tractor Operator. McCleron's falsetto—muffled and cracking in the band's (very) lo-fi recordings—has that nasal tone that works so well for personal songs driven by an acoustic guitar. Ghosties hail from the formidable Boy Gorilla record label, a collective of Portland youth making some of the most raw and true music in town. The Ghosties song “Glands” is a perfect example of the sound that drives that unique all-ages scene. JIM SANDBERG. 8 pm. Dunes, 1905 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., 493-8637. Cover. Map

Portland Cello Project feat. Horse Feathers and 3-Leg Torso

[CLASSI-COOL] See Wednesday listing. 8 pm. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $8. All ages. Map

Finn Riggins, Jared Mees & the Grown Children, Mill Race

[MIXED-BAG ROCK] Idaho's Finn Riggins has a whole lotta tricks up its sleeve—so many, in fact, that it's awfully hard to pin ’em down. One minute, the trio's blasting distortion-loaded, surf-tinged noise à la the Pixies; the next, it's engaging in funk or even ska-based jams that—despite hints of said genres—smack mostly of jangly, joyous rock. As if that weren't enough, there are psychedelic keyboard breakdowns and alternately spastic and smooth guy/girl vocals mixed all through the band's debut full-length, A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer. And, unlike lots of bands crafting a hodgepodge sound, Finn Riggins doesn't lose (or fail to create) an identity amid all its sound-tinkering and fun-having. True trickery, indeed. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099. $5. All ages. Map

The Fix One-Year Anniversary: DJ Spinna, Rev Shines, Ohmega Watts, DJs Kez, Dundiggy

[HIP-HOPPIN’] The Fix celebrates one year with legendary DJ Spinna, a heavyweight from the late-‘90s NYC underground hip-hop scene. Local DJs Rev. Shines (Lifesavas), Ohmega Watts, Kez (KBOO) and Dun Diggy have turned the Someday Lounge into the best dance party in town holding it down every Thursday night with the best soul, funk and hip-hop around. This is DJ Spinna’s first PDX appearance, and he’s in good company. Act like you know. JIM SANDBERG. 9 pm. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. $7. All ages. Map

Willow Willow; Ay, Claudia; Saw Whet

Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. All ages. Map

The Minor Thirds (8:30 pm); Stevi Marie & Jackson Road (5:30 pm)

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. All ages. Map

Friday December 7top

Holidays with the Trail Band

[PIONEER FOLK] Born at the request of the Oregon Trail Council (to commemorate that historic path's 150th anniversary), the aptly named Trail Band was originally conceived as a one-off period piece helmed by Marv and Rindy Ross (of Quarterflash fame). Considering the brass- and string-centric ensemble's still around 16 years later—and set to play six shows in three days at the Aladdin—it'd be an understatement to say that genesis spawned a Northwest tradition. Though the band's catalog is rooted in traditional folk, it's sprawled to include history lessons wrapped in country-pop hooks as well as modern applications of Native American melody and, tonight, holiday fare in the guise of yesteryear's parlour orchestras. Who knew history could be so much fun? AMY MCCULLOUGH. 3 & 7 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $12.50-$37. All ages. Map

The Mediam, Doctor Moss, Accidental Gun Death, Death Valley

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. All ages. Map

Goon Moon, Sun Trash, The Murder Party

[GOONIES] It's unclear whether Goon Moon is waxing or waning, but we do know that it features Jeordie White (formerly known as Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson) and revered musician-producer Chris Goss (Masters of Reality, Kyuss) playing with a much more nocturnal and eerily mellow sound than either of their previous acts. Goon Moon's live show is rumored to, um, eclipse its recently released second album, Licker's Last Leg, though its tuneful appeal remains intact at any lunar phase of the month. DAVE CLIFFORD. 9:30 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. $13 advance, $15 day of show. All ages. Map

Punk Group (DVD Release Party), Punk Group Karaoke, Magic Cyclops, Fogatron

[SYNTH JOKE PUNK] See Sound Seen review. 9:30 pm. Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. $6. All ages. Map

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

[OLD SOUL] What Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings does goes far beyond words like "throwback" or "tribute." The group is downright "disturbingly obsessed" with capturing the Stax/Volt and Motown sounds it emulates, from the recording tone and quality to the vocal and instrumental arrangements. And why not? A quick trip up your radio dial is all it takes to discover that most modern R&B is aimed at horny teens who can't for the life of them figure out where to buy some romance. When your whole genre gets misguided, it's probably time to go back to the drawing board, and the Dap Kings do foundation soul better than anyone in show business. Don't hold it against Sharon & co. for being born in the wrong decade. CASEY JARMAN. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. Sold out. All ages. Map

Prefuse 73, School of Seven Bells, Blank Blue

[GLITCH-HOP] After Barcelona's Scott Herren gave us his sophomore glitch album as Prefuse 73, One Word Extinguisher, he also released his studio outtakes and variant mixes—37 minutes of luminous chaos called Extinguished: Outtakes. It featured samples, strange noises, breaks and snippets of infectious melody, like a glitch incarnation of the Avalanches but without a coherent plan behind it. Most songs on the album clock in at just a minute or two and hold several completely different song-pieces, but those lead up to the penultimate, six-minute track, "Drum Machine, Cello, Headwrap," a brilliant cinematic tune that makes good on all the awesome that the lead-up material promised. BRANDON SEIFERT. 9 pm. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $12. All ages. Map

Emma Hill, Ryan Sollee, Cary Judd

[CATCHY SOLO ACOUSTIC] I first heard Moose—Wyoming singer-songwriter Cary Judd—at a film festival. His song "Everything Stops" was playing over a homemade montage of extreme sports footage. Just one guy with an acoustic guitar, and he still managed to strongly complement footage of people jumping off cliffs and out of planes. Tonight he's joined by Alaska transplant Emma Hill, whose touching lyrics and shockingly lovely voice are an excellent counterpoint to Judd's poppy, driving folk. Ryan Sollee, frontman of the Builders and the Butchers, is this lineup's wild card; his solo songs explore a wider acoustic territory than his band's plot of graveyard blues. BRANDON SEIFERT. 7:30 pm. Muddy Waters Coffeehouse, 2908 SE Belmont St., 233-1923. Free. All ages. Map

DJ Santo w/ Chauncey Canfield

[SOMETHING DIFFERENT] See Here Comes Your Fan. 7 pm. Press Club, 2621 SE Clinton St., 233-5656. Free. All ages. Map

The Dot & the Line, The Dirty Mittens

[INDIE-POP] Local indie-pop band the Dot & the Line takes its name from a 1963 children’s novel by Norton Juster. Subtitled “A Romance in Lower Mathematics,” the illustrated book (and its 1965 Chuck Jones cartoon adaptation) tells the story of a straight line who falls in love with a dot, only to have the dot leave him for a more interesting squiggle. The line attempts to win the dot back by learning to bend into every shape imaginable, only to discover the meaning of life in the process. Calling themselves “a danceable romance in lower mathematics,” vocalist-keytar player Jevan (the dot) and synth player Abe (the line) make soft beats layered with soothing vocals about love. This music is beautiful and simple—not unlike the calm one finds while reading a children’s book. PAIGE RICHMOND. 7 pm. Rererato Artspace, 5135 NE 42nd Ave., 732-407-4418. $4. All ages. Map

Bella Florentine, Royal Trees, Drawback, 800 Octane

The Bitter End, 1981 W Burnside St., 971-222-2000. All ages. Map

The Soft Tags, Hide and Go Hustle, Ah Holly Fam'ly

[POP ROCKS] The Soft Tags are like your girlfriend’s nerdy best guy friend from high school: more like a brother than a romantic interest and presumably non-threatening. The band’s muffled recordings—which were probably made in a basement—are the sort of slow-paced songs that make for great background music, kind of like “Beginning to See the Light” from the Velvet Underground’s self-titled album. But the Soft Tags (and probably your girlfriend’s male chum) aren’t quietly playing the same song over and over, waiting for a chance. Once in a while, this shoegazing trio breaks out into a guitar-driven rock song, sounding less like the Smiths and more like the Stone Roses. PAIGE RICHMOND. 9:30 pm. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. Cover. All ages. Map

Hornet Leg, Meth Teeth, Sue Ellen

[GARAGE SOUL] See profile. 9 pm. Worksound, 820 SE Alder St., . Cover. Map

Saturday December 8top

Holidays with the Trail Band

[PIONEER FOLK] See Friday listing. 3 & 7 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $12.50-$37. All ages. Map

Swim Swam Swum, Reporter, Typhoon

[FRESH CLASSIC] See profile. 8 pm. Artistery, 4315 SE Division St., 803-5942. $6. All ages. Map

Centerline

Bethany Village Grill, 4876 NW Bethany Blvd., 533-7736. 21+. Map

Laura Gibson, Cave Singers, Fleet Foxes

[CHAMBER FOLK] When Band of Horses left Seattle, someone must have left a vocal mic in the studio with the echo still turned on, because the boys in both the Cave Singers and Fleet Foxes got around to singin’ into it. Don’t get it twisted—it’s not like they’re copying the Horses, both bands have different singing styles and voices—but that echo is damn contagious. Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold sings in a style similar to Stephen Stills, while the Cave Singers’ Pete Quirk sings in a pained, quavering falsetto that’s unlike any other. Local favorite Laura Gibson ends the show. JIM SANDBERG. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $8. All ages. Map

Nic Fury

[YEEEAH!] Self-described as one who "stays in the mix like a Lil John song," Fury is a man of many angles. Head of L.A.-based 20 Kliks Records, he has a lengthy list of collaborators to fill out his hefty brand of hip-hop. Expect some unexpected freestyling, plenty of mic-passing, and a whole load of head-bobbing. MARK STOCK. East Chinatown Lounge, 322 NW Everett St., 226-1659. Cover. 21+. Map

Wreckless Eric, Amy Rigby, The Nevada Lunatics (feat. Scott McCaughey), Linda Pitmon & Steve Wynn, DJs Phaedra & Two Arm Tom

[HUSHED PUNK] As earth shattering late-’70s sorta-punk ballads go, I'd put Stiff Records alum Wreckless Eric's "Whole Wide World" on par with Johnny Thunders' "You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory" without reservation. Heck, I'd take the former's whole catalog over Thunders': It's funnier, has less strung-out live albums, more lyrical breadth and best of all (no offense intended to Thunders, who passed in 1991), it's still growing! Tonight Eric performs alongside his main squeeze, the deceptively domestic and equally funny pop singer-songwriter Amy Rigby. They perform as a duo, covering tunes from their respective catalogs and the classics that make them tick. Should be a lot of fun. CASEY JARMAN. 9 pm. East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. $15. All ages. Map

House Hooligans: DJ Professor Stone (Saganaki Lounge); DJs Izm, ATM, Flipsta, Rascue (Minoan Ballroom); DJ Brett (Taverna)

[SO MANY BEATS PER MINUTE]  The sticky, cavernous dance floors of the Greek Cusina are the perfect place to get high-BPM buck wild on a Saturday night. DJ Flipsta finesses brisk, heavy house mixes (Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne's “Lollipop” over electro); DJ Professor Stone supplies softer, smoother house grooves (melodic instrumentals); DJ Izm's attention-deficient sets cover house, hip-hop and everything in between; and DJs Brett and Rascue fill in all the funky, breakbeat cracks. SARA MOSKOVITZ. 9 pm. Greek Cusina, 404 SW Washington St., 224-2288. Cover. 21+. Map

Swan Island, The Shondes, Sarah D & the SGs

[VAN HALEN LICKS] Swan Island was posed to be the next big thing last year when it released The Centre Will Hold, the band's debut on Holocene records. Singled out as “unique” for the wrong reason (being an all-female rock band, not for being totally rad in the style of David Lee Roth-era Van Halen), the album seemed to fall flat in the crowded, swampy world of college radio. It’s a shame, because the band is genuinely good and doesn’t need to be defined by the gender of its members (as uncommon as it is for women to play metal that isn’t intended for Hot Topic-shopping middle-schoolers). Luckily, we here in Portland know better...right? JIM SANDBERG. 9 pm. Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. Cover. Map

Pepper, The Expendables, Passafire

[ISLAND-SKA POP] Originators—and, far as we know, sole practitioners—of "the island sound," the boys of Pepper jumped to the mainland years ago but lovingly tend their Hawaiian roots. The group's enviably extreme origins must have helped garner an invite to the Warped Tour and all subsequent successes. There's a distinct charm to the sun-dappled melodies and loose-limbed ska, but the relentlessly blithe tone wearies after a bit. Paradise must be awfully dull. JAY HORTON. 9 pm. Roseland, 8 NW 6th Ave., 219-9929 (Grill), 224-2038 (Theater). $17. All ages. Map

Cirque Magique: Kazum, Leapin' Louie Lichtenstein, Leah James Abel, Sweet Juice, DJ Nicoluminous

[SOULTRONIC CIRCUS] Step into this soultronic circus at the Someday and thank us later. A plateful of Portland’s quirkiest acrobatic, circus and comedy performers (Dave Clay, Emily Hyde, Leah James Abel, Leapin’ Louie Lichtenstein) storm the stage with live music from the rawkers in local dance band Sweet Juice, with the badass dance acrobats from Kazum as special guests. The bonus? Spare ethereal soul-funk beats from the voluminously talented local “sound bwoi” (his words, not mine), Nicoluminous. STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. 9 pm. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. Cover. Map

Reptet, Nodding Tree Remedies, Eaglekin

[KOOL JAZZ] I don't know how to make "cool" any cooler besides spelling it with a "K." And that's what Seattle jazz-improv group Reptet is: kool. From its I-pledge-allegiance-to-the-power-of-improv mission statement (founder-drummer John Ewing is all about the interpretive) to the fact that it actually makes all that off-the-cuff, freewheelin' effort sound good—unlike a lot of "Look Ma, I got a flugelhorn and some fingerless gloves and now I'm an "indie-rock [read: wannabe] jazz player" types. But then, it wouldn't be "kool" to wax so acerbic, so let's just say this is a crowd of honest-to-God musicians who put their instruments where their mouths are—and the sounds elicited are as classic as the Blue Note-lookin' cover to Reptet's recent Do This!, and as fun as the Dr. Seussian drawings inside. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9:30 pm. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. Cover. All ages. Map

Sunday December 9top

Holidays with the Trail Band

[PIONEER FOLK] See Friday listing. 3 & 7 pm. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 233-1994. $12.50-$37. All ages. Map

John Butler Trio, Brett Dennen

[JAM-LADEN ROOTS] Does not publicizing evil merely perpetuate the crime? The unfamiliar should stop reading immediately, and those dark legions awaiting John Butler's arrival...well, we assume they don't much bother perusing dead trees. We preview for those doomed souls whose new boyfriend or girlfriend (well, boyfriend, really) has already purchased tickets for the Australian trio. Butler's still sorta unknown on these shores outside the jammier fringe—though, with a new Atlantic album helmed by Mario Caldato, that's sure to change—and we just want you to be fully aware of the dredded smugnaut and his banjoriffic, bumper-sticker-politicized jaunts through roots, reggae and a funk that would welcome the smooth flow of MC Dave Matthews. He sometimes plays an 11-string guitar, one string cut to better enable solos. There's time to cancel, surely. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. $25. All ages. Map

Golem, Vagabond Opera, DJ Global Ruckus

[ALT-KLEZMER] On the sixth night of Hanukkah, my Portland gave to me: six klezmerites from NYC. Golem, named after the mythic Jewish monster built from clay to conquer anti-Semites, is a swinging sextet that's conquered the Big Apple instead. Its latest disc, Fresh Off Boat, nabbed a rave from Village Voice macher Robert Christgau, and features such guests as Lenny Kaye and Phish's Mike Gordon. Like the ancient rabbi who carved the word "truth" into the Golem's forehead to bring it to life, this Golem revives traditional Jewish music by infusing it with true hipster chutzpah. JEFF ROSENBERG. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $10. All ages. Map

Tuesday December 11top

Angela Reed w/ Julia Dawn (9:30 pm); Jimmy Lott (6:30 pm)

[SINGER-SONGWRITERS] Broad-shouldered, tousle-haired baby boomer Jimmy Lott (who plays tonight's happy hour set) has the type of folksy, conversational voice—like a James Taylor or (gasp) John Denver—that immediately attracts and pulls a listener in. Portland-born headliner Angela Reed is a younger, more peppy-poppy type of singer, but she’s also an easy communicator. On her album Undertone, she mines familiar folk laments but occasionally breaks the surface, sifting for a simple and startling observation: “I miss your little things,” she sings in a voice veering from a Sheryl Crow whisper to an Alanis Morisette full cry, “like peanut butter on toast.” STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. 9:30 pm; 6:30 pm. Alberta Street Public House, 1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665. Cover; Free. All ages. Map

Good for the Jews

[LATKE LAUGHS] On the eighth night of Hanukkah, my Portland gave to me: more funny Jews. Rob Tannenbaum was half of witty Yid duo What I Like About Jew (see Wednesday's Jewmongous listing); his new collaborator is David Fagin of respected indie rockers the Rosenbergs (no relation to this reviewer). Many of the previous duo's "hits" are present in both spinoffs' setlists, including "Jews for Jesus," which prescribes foreskin reattachment, and "They Tried to Kill Us (We Survived, Let's Eat)," named for the raison d'etre (is that Yiddish?) of every Jewish holiday. JEFF ROSENBERG. 9 pm. Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $15. All ages. Map