PATTY GRIFFIN
Thursday: OK, Robert Plant is her live-in lover. Get over it. Although she was a supporting member of his Band of Joy, Griffin is an artist in her own right. In fact, "American Kid," her eighth studio album, is one of 2013's best. A followup to 2010's Grammy-winning, gospelly "Downtown Church," "Kid" is stripped down Americana, filled with haunting and heartfelt vocals and richly crafted, contemplative lyrics, inspired in large part by the death of her father. Plant sings on three numbers, including the single "Ohio," but Griffin's mournful solo turns stand out, especially "That Kind of Lonely" and "Gonna Miss You When You're Gone," which is destined to become a funeral standard. Max Gomez opens. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $54. Ticketmaster.com)
JON BREAM
