Dads | B

Wordy but blunt, vicious but earnest, bitter but raging against cynicism, John Bradley is a complicated dude. Singer-drummers always are. On the new I’ll Be the Tornado (6131 Records), his Jersey pop-punk duo churns out unslick, adrenalized melodies and dares to you to sing along to their wildest rants. “Chewing Ghosts” could be their theme song: “This is uplifting instrumental music for people who need a good talking to.” Dads play the Church tonight.

—Patrick Rapa

 

Hurry | B

The riffs and melodies (and accompanying sentiment) of Everything/Nothing (Hot Green) could’ve opened some ’90s teen movie, the soundtrack to carfuls of giggling SoCal kids pulling into the high school parking lot. Hurry knows how to stir up your nostalgia with power pop and deep feelings, making this a warm and fun record. The release show — Friday at the Church — is prob a good place for a make-out sesh.

—Marc Snitzer

 

Thom Yorke | B+

Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes (self-released via BitTorrent) was immediately tagged with the “unusual release” hype and the “difficult-listen” label, but it’s not quite as strange as all that. The pulsing low end is an invitation, as is surprisingly, that alienated voice in the ether. A meandering second act weighs the record down, but I count three duds, three that make up for those and two worth your time (“The Mother Lode,” “Nose Grows Some”).

—Dotun Akintoye

 

Thurston Moore | B

Though some may dismiss The Best Day (Matador) as an easygoing, straight-ahead rock record from an artist better known for challenging both listeners (and common pop sense) with his noisy explorations, don’t forget: Sonic Youth could be catchy as hell when they wanted to. Indeed this record recalls some of Moore’s old band’s most clear-minded moments. “Grace Lake” and “Speak to the Wild” are folky and particularly lovely. It’s OK if you like them right away. Moore’s show at Boot & Saddle on Saturday is sold out.

—Patrick Rapa