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 Three years have elapsed since the little people of the world have been given an opportunity to croon over the desperate dialogues and grandiose compositions of Arcade Fire. Luckily, the 2010 of songwriter Win Butler’s solipsistic existence gives us a whole new reason to admire the greatest songwriter of all time.
Unfortunately, this time it’s all about how much he hates you.
While 2004’s Funeral is one of the most important indie records released in the last ten years, 2007’s Neon Bible didn’t receive the overwhelming praise that the band grew accustomed to. The Suburbs seems to be little more than a bitter response to an under-appreciative fan base who hasn’t built their shrine to Butler quite high enough.
The Suburbs may be the band’s most cohesive and fully realized album to date, but it is also the most antagonizing and the least relatable.
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Sunday
Screaming Females may have been more fitting to see in a basement somewhere in New Brunswick, New Jersey, as they’re often associated with punk bands of that area and the DIY shows that gave them their initial rise to popularity. But this indie rock band is sure to put on just as great of a show this Sunday at the Black Cat backstage. Tickets cost $10 and doors open at 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday
Pianos Become the Teeth, shown above, have a name very indicative of their sound. A combination of sparse and calming ambience with the viciousness of the sharpest predator’s teeth. They combine punk with ambience and experimentalism in a way that many of today’s bands can’t compare to in terms of originality or sheer emotion. They’ll be playing at the Rock and Roll Hotel, tickets cost $10, and doors open at 8:00 p.m.
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 Of Montreal
Sunday
The Thievery Corporation have had a huge impact in the city of Washington, D.C. Opening up a recording studio in D.C. where they’ve had the opportunity to continue their unique mixture of dub, acid-jazz, and anything else they can find a way to mix in, they’ve made sure to put on some great shows around the area too. Labeled as “A Night With Thievery Corporation,” they’ll be performing at the 9:30 Club tonight, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are sold out for the first two performances, so if you’re interested make sure to grab the Sunday ones while they’re still available. Tickets cost $40, but this is assured to be no typical concert; this is an experience all its own. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
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Saturday
If you haven’t yet heard the Gaslight Anthem, you’re missing out on the young, hip version of Bruce Springsteen (I’m not saying that the Boss ain’t hip, I’m just saying he ain’t young). They spin together some lyrical majesty, a crooning whiskey laced voice, and a bit of punk rock. This Saturday, however, vocalist Brian Fallon will be taking the stage of the Black Cat for a solo show. Expect raw emotion and a good night, as Dave Hause of The Loved Ones will be there, too, to perform his own solo set. Tickets are $15, and the show will begin at 9:00 p.m. on the main stage.
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Sunday
Scream was a local punk back when D.C. initiated that whole Dischord thing (having released four albums themselves to the label). These guys play some raw and kick ass rock and roll, somewhat influenced by Bad Brains. No one really kicks it like these guys, and the original line-up is getting back together for a show this Sunday at the Black Cat. Tickets are only $12, and bring a toy for Toys for Tots if you can!
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 Phenomenal Handclap Band
Saturday
The Phenomenal Handclap Band is equal parts funk, soul, psychedelic, and powerhouse rhythm section. That and their name should be more than enough to spark some interest in seeing these 8 soul-driven folks take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the door.
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The Voice is looking back at the best of the decade in Tomorrow’s Classics. To celebrate the end of the decade, Vox is getting in on the fun too! This week, the best of the decade’s beats, broken down by year.
2000
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven: There’s no better way to spend the better part of 87 minutes and 21 seconds than to listen to this album. Its four movements are downright moving, for lack of a better term. They may be Canadian anarchists, but Lift Your Skinny Fists… is anything but chaotic; it’s a subtle and gradual crescendo with some calming hornplay.
Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
Outkast – Stankonia
2001
At The Drive-In – Relationship of Command: At The Drive-In split up after this album to form Sparta and The Mars Volta. You can say what you will about the generic rock of Sparta and the anti-music of The Mars Volta, but this band took that whole Fugazi thing and made it their own. The energy seen on this album is over the top, but we’ll have to settle now for the psychedelic antics of whatever these guys are putting out now.
The Microphones – The Glow Pt. 2
The Strokes – Is This It?
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 Do Make Think Say
Tuesday
Do Make Say Think started playing their particular brand of instrumental post-rock almost fourteen years ago. With 2009’s “Other Truths” LP they’ve managed to perfect what they’ve been doing all along. Their psychedelic landscapes build on themselves while jazz-influenced drumming, rock instruments, and wind instruments all force their way into the song structure. It truly deserves being referenced as “epic” for its genre. They’ll be playing at the Rock and Roll Hotel this Tuesday, and tickets will cost $12 in advance, $14 at the door.
Thursday
Young Widows needs a little more recognition. They play crushing post-punk-metal that brings together the simplistic rhythms of a band like Joy Division but adds layers of pounding riffs. This band never gets boring and is easily comparable to the almighty Jesus Lizard. They’ve released a whole slew of splits and two LPs. Check out “Old Wounds,” and take a turn down a one way street and into the DC9 this Thursday. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $14 at the door.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists put on one hell of a show at the Black Cat last year, and there is no doubt that they’ll be reproducing that same energy this Thursday. This band brings together the genius of Ted Leo with the genius of the pharmacists, which means this neatly packaged punk rock outfit will have you singing and dancing along all night long. Tickets cost $15!
Friday
So Tuesday has come and gone, and you’re looking for some more instrumental rock. Sadly, all that the Rock and Roll Hotel has to offer you is something called Pelican. They’re called “post-metal” and you wonder if this is in anyway similar to your loved post-rock. And I’m here to tell you that they are in fact similar, but that Pelican is more likely to punch you in the face. This instru-mental band will knock your teeth out with whatever they play off their new record “What We All Come to Need.” Check them out for $12 advance, $14 at the door.
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 beard
Friday
Melt-Banana is the noisiest, most dissonant way to spend your Friday night. This is legitimate grindcore. The mixture of pounding, schizophrenic drums, and vocal textures that just explode one after another will leave you confused and possibly in pain. But they’re hip, they’re from Japan, and you don’t want to miss your opportunity to experience a cute little girl show you how a real front man should act. Rock and Roll Hotel; tickets are $15.
Monday
Jeremy Chatelain (of Jets to Brazil) decided to record a set of songs like those AM country-western tunes he used to listen to as a young boy, thus creating Cub Country. 10 years later, Cub Country is as strong as ever, and Chatelain keeps putting together great twangy, acoustic tunes that are sure to remind you of home no matter where you’re from. They’ve got that nostalgic tone to them. Check Cub Country out at the Black Cat backstage for $8.
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 Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter’s “Cheney-Bush-Rove,” an answer to Zeitgeist II
DC Astrology
Maybe yesterday’s Leonid meteors got you seeing stars, looking to the sky and wondering why you don’t partake in something like this more often. Step one: lets get you a free astrological chart. You can get this online by heading to ASTROLABE’s website.
Next step: head to the DC Astrology Meetup this evening, at 7:30 p.m., at Tono Sushi Upstairs (2605 Connecticut Avenue) to meet with local astrology students and share knowledge about the resources available throughout the region. All levels of experience are welcome, so don’t feel frightened by your ignorance with the sky. It’s also a great opportunity to grab some sushi.
CAG Art Weekend
Maybe you didn’t know that Georgetown had a thriving art scene. Well, this weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to see a large portion of Georgetown resident artists’ talent put under one roof: the former Smith and Hawken space at 1209 31st Street. From November 19th through the 21st, the Citizens Association of Georgetown will bring together a show of more than 20 Georgetown artists’ paintings, photographs, sculptures, and mixed media.
The opening reception will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, where Govinda Gallery owner Chris Murray will talk about the history and evolution of the Georgetown art scene. The showing will also be open Friday from noon until 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Three years have elapsed since the little people of the world have been given an opportunity to croon over the desperate dialogues and grandiose compositions of Arcade Fire. Luckily, the 2010 of songwriter Win Butler’s solipsistic existence gives us a whole new reason to admire the greatest songwriter of all time.
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