music

POP/ROCK

In a Minnesota scene full of smart lyricists playing dumbed-down rock 'n' roll, Californian Chuck Prophet fits right in. The former Green on Red blaster landed a local radio hit a few years back with "Summertime Thing," and he continues to write with (or be covered by) singers with better voices, including Kelly Willis, Solomon Burke and even Cake (OK, not all are better singers). But his own albums are plenty charming, including the new "Soap and Water," full of Stonesy swagger and more wry twists than a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode. (9 p.m. today, Turf Club. $12.) (C.R.)

Radiohead is credited for the pick-your-price download idea, but Issa (aka Jane Siberry) has done it since 2005. Last year she got rid of her worldly possessions (save one guitar, her Manolo shoes and Miles Davis records). Her arty, multilayered music reportedly is more straightforward now, too. (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center, $25-$28.) (J.B.)

Surely the most happening songwriter in Eau Claire, Wis., Justin Vernon is generating a music-blogger buzz under the alias Bon Iver. He recorded his first album, "Forever Emma, Forever Ago," over the winter at his dad's hunting cabin following the breakup of his band DeYarmond Edison. Not surprisingly, he wound up with a haunting, lonesome-cry kind of lo-fi record, with echoes of Iron & Wine and Elliott Smith delivered in a more powerful, eerie, falsetto voice. Here's hoping his local coming-out gig opening for local electro-rock trio Digitata is nearly as fascinating. (9 p.m. today, Uptown Bar. $5.) (C.R.)

On his third album, "The Wolf," rebel country-rocker Shooter Jennings finally sounds less like his old man, Waylon, and more country with some serious twang (the Oak Ridge Boys and Doug Kershaw guest). The highlights include an aggressively country cover of Dire Straits' "Walk of Life" and "Higher," a swaggering original that would have made Waylon proud. Eddie Spaghetti (of the Supersuckers) opens. (9:30 p.m. today, Cabooze, $13-$15.) (J.B.)

Forget about Rod Stewart and his umpteen versions of the Great American Songbook. Go see the grandmaster of standards, Tony Bennett, who, at 81, is still a warm and wonderful, in-the-moment entertainer. (7:30 p.m. today, Mystic Showroom, Mystic Lake Casino, $63-$75.) (J.B.)

Although Nickel Creek didn't step into the national spotlight until 2000, this progressive trio has played together since 1989. Now on its Farewell for Now Tour, as Sara and Sean Watkins and Chris Thile pursue solo careers, the group is an instrumental and vocal delight, whether playing bluegrass, reinvented rock classics or dark folk-pop originals. (8 p.m. Sat., State Theatre, $25.50-$29.50.) (J.B.)

Brian Setzer isn't the only compelling singer in the Stray Cats. Bassist Lee Rocker boogies with verve on his second Alligator CD, "Black Cat Bone," shifting from retro rock and blues to contemporary social commentary on "Sold Us Down the River." Will Setzer also show up at one of his favorite Minneapolis hangouts? (9 p.m. Sat., Lee's Liquor Lounge, $16.) (J.B.)

After playing around stylistically on recent albums, on his new CD "Country Mouse, City House" Josh Rouse revisits the gorgeous starry-night, dreamy-eyed melodicism of his 1998 debut, "Dressed Up Like Nebraska." Rouse and band are on tour with fellow Nebraskan Maria Taylor who's issued an alluring if spotty solo debut. (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. $18-$20.) (C.R.)

Boston singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke has made some curious moves on her new "Be Careful What You Wish For." She turned to former boy-band stars JC Chasez and Nick Lachey as co-writers and rock producer Bob Clearmountain for a more aggressive, guitar-heavy sound. Her best move was enlisting Minnesota native Sally Dworsky to help write "Prodigal Daughter," the disc's most intriguing track. (6 p.m. Sat., Varsity Theater, $15-$18 door.) (J.B.)

After being shot in the head in a 2005 carjacking after a Denver gig, raspy-voiced piano man Marc Cohn is deeply reflective on the moody and moving "Join the Parade," his first studio CD since '98. He ruminates on favorite musicians (Levon Helm, Charlie Christian), New Orleans (the Tom Waits-like "Dance Back From the Grave") and loss ("Life Goes On"). (7:30 p.m. Tue., Fitzgerald Theater, $51.50.) (J.B.)

Ozzy Osbourne, pictured, makes it up to local metalheads for skipping us on this summer's free Ozzfest tour by performing here Halloween night with none other than new "Halloween" director Rob Zombie. Oh, the horror. It's Ozzy's first arena tour in six years, supporting his best album in many more years, "Black Rain." Tickets aren't free, but the cheapest seats have been reduced in price. Read an interview with Ozzy in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Target Center. $25-$89.75.) (C.R.)

Expect Halloween surprises from Gov't Mule, Warren Hayes' jam band extraordinaire. One recent surprise was its new CD, "Mighty High," featuring dub remixes of tunes from last year's "High and Mighty" disc as well as dub takes on Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle" and the Band's "The Shape I'm In." (7 p.m. Wed., O'Shaughnessy Auditorium. $26 & $29.) (J.B.)

Thanks to YouTube, Sia's "Buttons" is getting exposure even though the song won't be available until Nov. 6 on iTunes. The Australian-born, British-based dream-pop chanteuse is playing a dozen U.S. shows to preview her second album, "Some People Have Real Problems," due Jan. 8. (8 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

"Street Symphony" is the Subdudes' first recording since Hurricane Katrina devastated their hometown of New Orleans. Don't be fooled by the sweet, soulful sounds on, say, "Poor Man's Paradise," because the 'Dudes are angry. Still, they infuse the deep and deliciously mellow CD with faith and hope. (9 p.m. Wed., Fine Line, $21 advance, $23 door.) (J.B.)

As with many bands that "put on a show," Gogol Bordello's punk-rock-carnival stage antics are a blast at first, but can grow a little predictable. Fortunately, the New York-based gypsy-rock heroes sound as fresh and frantic as ever on the new CD "Super Taranta!," the most sensible and accessible example yet of their nonsensical mix of old-world and modern sounds. Frontman Eugene Hutz will spin a DJ set in the Entry after the show. (6:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. All ages. $16-$18.) (C.R.)

COUNTRY

Bucky Covington's self-titled CD was the biggest surprise among the solo discs from 2006 "American Idol" finalists. Producer Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown showed that the North Carolinian is a far better singer than demonstrated on TV or the "Idol" tour. He packs plenty of personality in "American Friday Night" and the Skynyrd-like "The Bible and the Belt." Joining him on tour are Cole Deggs and Jason Michael Carroll, who has garnered attention for his child-abuse song "Alyssa Lies." (8 p.m. Thu., Trocaderos, $25.) (J.B.)