Pick six: A half-dozen cool things in the world of music

Last update: September 5, 2008 - 5:23 PM

A half-dozen cool things in the world of music, from two points of view:

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, State Fair. For free? Pinch me. Never thought I'd be so happy: the bump of old-school funk with a side of something fried on a stick. Heavenly.

Take Back Labor Day Festival, Harriet Island. I missed a majority of this show, but took in Atmosphere, Mos Def and the Pharcyde, which was plenty of high-quality hip-hop for a mere $10.

KMOJ Radio (89.9 FM). Instead of watching bad reality TV, I've been tuning in to this Minneapolis community radio station. Weeknights, the mix includes the likes of Lil' Wayne, Kanye West and Three 6 Mafia; Sunday nights bring old-school jams and the Quiet Storm. In between are the best public service announcements of all time.

KRISTEN HASLER, MINNEAPOLIS

TO CONTRIBUTE: POPMUSIC@STARTRIBUNE.COM

Rage Against the Machine, Target Center. Uncompromising, unrelenting, unbelievably committed and incredibly loud -- in volume and content. Zack de la Rocha demonstrated that he's the most wired rapper on the planet, and Tom Morello played mighty funked-up guitar. This rivals Kanye West for 2008's best concert.

Toby Keith, State Fair. With a lecherous grin, he was unapologetically sexist as he sang about the thoughts of nearly every dude who has had one beer too many at a bar. He knows his redneck audience.

Capitol Offense, Spin nightclub. A coed octet of former Arkansas government workers led by ex-Gov. Mike Huckabee, they played a strikingly tight and consistently fun bar-band set that stretched to a nonunion-like 110 minutes without a break. Jeff Cook of Alabama (the band) sat in on guitar, and the bass-playing GOP Huckster displayed his gift of glib between songs for the red, white and preppie crowd.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE

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