The big gigs: Our critics' music picks

They Might Be Giants aren't coming to town for another children's show, but they might have older fans giddy with kid-like anticipation. The two Johns are marking the 20th anniversary of their hit album "Flood" by playing it in its entirety, assuring big sing-alongs for "Birdhouse in Your Soul" and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," for those who remember the twisty words. (7 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. 14 and older. $20.) (C.R.)

In concert earlier this week in Austin, Texas, the Tragically Hip proved the title of its new album, "We Are the Same," isn't just for kicks, although the record is mellower than a typical Hip disc. The Canadian rock heroes followed suit with a marvelous acoustic segment, but mostly they were up to their usual roaring level and threw in many not-so-obvious oldies. Still one of rock's most underrated live bands, at least in the States. (7:30 p.m. Tue., the O'Shaughnessy. $25-$28.) (C.R.)

After decades of selling out concert halls, jazz legend Dave Brubeck is back in a nightclub setting with his quartet. And what a band it is: Bobby Militello is amazing on flute, and capable of leonine glory on alto sax. Michael Moore is a world-acknowledged bass master. Drummer Randy Jones has nailed every genre and time signature Brubeck has tossed at him since 1979. And the leader still plays piano at an exalted level on the verge of 89. Read an interview with Brubeck in Sunday's Variety A+E. (7 p.m. Mon., 7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota Jazz Club. $50-$130.) (T.S.)

Like local faves Tapes 'N Tapes, whose First Ave show they opened in April, White Denim has picked up a lot of heat in England even before its new album, "Fits," came out stateside last week. The trio from Austin, Texas, is a howling, hyper, grungy but danceable garage-rock band with hints of Delta blues and Southern boogie. For fans of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the Spencer Davis Group alike. (9 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar. $10.) (C.R.)

David Gray, England's master of melancholy, gets a bit excited on his seventh album, "Draw the Line." The opening "Fugitive," his new single, echoes early Elton John. The closing duet with Annie Lennox, "Full Steam," is darker than gospel music should be. In between, there's a duet with Jolie Holland and plenty of medium-tempo reflections on complicated relationships, though nothing as memorable as his hits "Babylon" and "Please Forgive Me." (8 p.m. today, Orpheum, $35-$75.) (J.B.)

A fitting local opener for both No Age and the Dirty Projectors in recent months, Haunted House is not a Halloweeny act. But it definitely is something of a freak show, with dueling drummers and lots of jaggedy, wiry and sometimes jarring songs. The release party for its album "Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner" -- purportedly the first of three records slated for release in the coming months -- is an explosive triple bill with Vampire Hands and Mute Era. (10 p.m. today, Hexagon Bar. Free.) (C.R.)

After a moody, piano-dominated debut and the seductive hit "Almost Lover," A Fine Frenzy (aka Alison Sudol) is relatively explosive on its sophomore CD, "Bomb in a Birdcage." Sudol rocks on the rebellious "Stood Up" and bounces on the electro-pop "Electric Twist." Opening is Nashville singer/actor Landon Pigg, who plays Ellen Page's boyfriend in "Whip It." (9 p.m. Thu., Fine Line, $15-$18.) (J.B.)

Since going solo a decade ago, piano man Ben Folds has worked with Tori Amos, William Shatner, Weird Al Yankovic and the Boston Pops. He's also working on an album with lyrics by British writer/music geek Nick Hornby. Saturday he teams with the Minnesota Orchestra (Sarah Hicks conducting) to present material from 2008's "Way to Normal" and his earlier albums. (8 p.m. Sat., Orchestra Hall, $25-$75.) (J.B.)

Two great American songwriters join forces as New Orleans bluesman Chris Smither opens for devilishly brilliant wiseass Loudon Wainwright III. Smither has a new CD, "Time Stands Still," while Wainwright's latest is an atypical and ambitious two-CD tribute to an early country star, "High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project." Hope he dusts off "Vampire Blues" for the holiday. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. $20-$22.) (T.S.)

On its new album "Save Me, San Francisco," Train namechecks Sonny & Cher and Mister Mister and borrows lyrics from the Doobie Brothers and Madonna. The single "Hey Soul Sister" is one of those classic, made-for-radio Train tunes that Pat Monhan delivers with burnished soulfulness. Opening is Kenny Chesney/Kid Rock crony Uncle Kracker, whose new "Happy Hour" includes a dubious Auto-Tune treatment of Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again." (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, $36.) (J.B.)

When you witness Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers in concert, expect more improv than a fourth-quarter Brett Favre touchdown drive. You might not even recognize "The Way It Is," Hornsby's 1986 chart-topper. Don't be surprised if he serves selections from "Levitate," his new CD that's a bit of a hodgepodge (some pieces were written for movies, others for an off-Broadway musical.) Opening is esteemed local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. (7:30 p.m. Sun., the O'Shaughnessy, $35-$47.) (J.B.)

Sweden's we-love-the-'80s group the Sounds sparkles, thanks to Debbie Harry-evoking singer Maja Ivarsson and cheese-loving keyboardist Jesper Anderberg. "No One Sleeps While I'm Awake," the single from the Sounds' third album "Crossing the Rubicon," will keep new-wave-loving fans dancing. (7 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

Papa Roach's "Metamorphosis" may not have been for the better. The former rap-rock quartet goes Hollywood on its sixth album, featuring rap-free '80s-style rock. Similarly, opener Jet crashes on its third album, "Shaka Rock." After pulling off snotty Stones-like swagger (loved "Are You Going to Be My Girl"), Nic Cester and crew try a little too hard this time with a disco ditty and an AC/DC tribute. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Roy Wilkins Aud., $32. ) (J.B.)

In the works for decades, the Roger James Quartet's debut CD, "Pink and Green Blues," gets its official release party. Why the delay? Tenor saxophonist and composer James took 15 years off from musical pursuits, racing stock cars, playing competitive tennis and touring Europe instead. Sounds nice, and so does his CD, which profits from an excellent rhythm section, featuring pianist Tanner Taylor. James has a flair for catchy melodies and quirky titles ("Being Cool Is a Full Time Job") while Taylor makes every piano solo count. (9 p.m. Thu., Artists' Quarter. $5.) (T.S.)

This weekend's best Halloween party requires no costumes, at least not for audience members. The hardest-working man in the blues business, and the funniest by far, Bobby Rush makes a quick return to town with his fabulous revue in tow. Expect a soulful spectacle, complete with booty-shakin' dancers, mid-song comedic routines, killer grooves and the biggest pair of women's drawers on the planet. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $20.) (T.S.)

You may have seen Tonia Hughes in "Caroline, or Change" at the Guthrie or "Black Nativity" at Penumbra. Maybe you've heard her with the Excelsior Choral Ensemble. Now she's offering a solo CD, "I'm Ready Now," a collection of deeply felt contemporary Christian music embracing gospel, blues, R&B, jazz and pop. (7:30 p.m. today, Brooklyn Park Evangelical Free Church, 7849 W. Broadway Av., Brooklyn Park, $10-$15.) (J.B.)

Tim Eriksen used to call the Twin Cities home, back when he was touring with Alison Krauss and Ralph Stanley and creating the music for the movie "Cold Mountain." He returns with a new album, "Northern Roots Live in Namet," featuring everything from shape-note gospel music to Appalachian and Irish songs. He's at once a staunch traditionalist and an innovative original. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center. $15-$18.) (C.R.)

Born in 1943, HK Gruber had a proper Viennese musical upbringing, including a stint in the Vienna Boys' Choir. Happily, propriety sometimes begets its opposite. Gruber's neo-gothic "Frankenstein!!" -- a "pan-demonium" featuring such subversive instruments as a hosepipe and paper bags -- first came to life in 1978. It's reanimated at this weekend's St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts with the composer as chansonnier (think cabaret singer). Also on the bill: Gruber's new "Busking," co-commissioned for trumpet great Håkan Hardenberger, and music by Hindemith and Stravinsky. (10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. today, Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd., Eden Prairie. 8 p.m. Sat., Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. $10-$59, kids $5. 651-291-1144 or thespco.org.) (L.F.)

Globetrotting, polyglot Dutch harpsichordist Jacques Ogg, artistic director of the Twin Cities' Lyra Baroque Orchestra, knows something about Bach: Fono Forum, Germany's leading music magazine, chose his recording of the "Goldberg" Variations as the best of about 60 available. Ogg teams with eminent baroque violinist Marc Destrubé, his colleague in Frans Brüggen's Amsterdam-based Orchestra of the 18th Century, for a not-to-be-missed afternoon of Bach's music for violin and harpsichord. (3 p.m. Sun., Sundin Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Av., St. Paul. $23; students $6. 612-721-2034 or lyrabaroque.org.) (L.F.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancers Tom Surowicz and Larry Fuchsberg.

Buoyed by its melodic single "Forever in Your Hands," Massachusetts metalcore band All That Remains, above, has risen to headliner rank. Its albums have grown slicker, but the band remains a forceful live act. Italy's metal kings Lacuna Coil opens along with Maylene & the Sons of Disaster and Taking Dawn. (6:30 p.m. Sat., Epic. All ages. $20.) (C.R.)

Who wouldn't love having Snoop Dogg, above, for a high school classmate? The rap vet and new creative head at Priority Records is finally lighting up a local stage again with his so-called Wonderland High School Tour, a hype-builder for his upcoming album "Malice N Wonderland" (out Dec. 8). His supporting cast includes token tokers Method Man and Redman, plus Houston underground star Devin the Dude. Could be the most fun had at a local hip-hop show this year. (9 p.m. Thu., Epic. 18 and older. $41-$61.) (C.R.)

HALLOWEEN GIGS

The Triple Rock puts on some of the wildest Halloween rock shows in town, with local bands dressing up and paying tribute to a legendary band of their choice. This year's lineup includes 20 Dollar Love as AC/DC, Disasterati as the Cramps and Bastard Saint as the Crüe. (8 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock. $6 with costume, $8 without.) (C.R.)

Rap/rock/reggae showmen WookieFoot go all out every Halloween, bringing out costumed dancers and wild visual effects to complement their already outlandish music. This year, the band/troupe will mix it up over two nights starting with an "organic" show tonight with the Reef and Limns opening, followed by a full-on "electric" show with the Histronic. (9:30 p.m. today-Sat., Cabooze. $10-$15.) (C.R.)

Following last year's 25th-anniversary blowout, ghoulish shock-rock metal vets Impaler still dole out the most blood, explosives and sheer volume for Halloween. This year's shows are timed to a new DVD, "Ceyptozoology." (9 p.m. today, Station 4; 9 p.m. Sat., the Rox, St. Cloud. $6-$8.) (C.R.)

'Round midnight, as faux ghouls roam the streets, the enterprising Atlantis Quartet will play Herbie Hancock's frighteningly funky 1973 mega-smash "Head Hunters" in its entirety. Guest keyboard chameleon Brian Ziemniak makes the group a quintet for one night only. (11:30 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $5.) (T.S.)

Anyone hoping to dress up in leather, acid-wash or any other '80s metal gear would be well served trying out Cocaine, the Twin Cities' full-time classic-rock throwbacks, who recall GNR, Aerosmith and the Nuge without any costumes, or irony. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. $5.) (C.R.)