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

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Austin, Texas. This experimental post-rock quintet from Quebec featuring Efrim Menuck (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) wowed the crowd, blending lingering guitar solos, a beautiful string section and enough complex instrumental arrangements to make even the most hard-core Arcade Fire fans blush. Catch them Wednesday at the Turf Club in St. Paul.

"A Fat Wreck: The Punk U Mentary." With Minneapolis punk rockers Banner Pilot's "Souvenir" just released by Fat Wreck Chords, a documentary about the influential '90s punk label is in its last week on the crowdsourcing website Indiegogo to get a documentary made.

The Replacements, Midway Stadium. For the 'Mats' first Minnesota show in 23 years, can St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges agree to declare Sept. 13 Replacements Day?

JIM BRUNZELL III, Austin, Texas

To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com

Jimmy Buffett's drive-in-movie concert. America's favorite beach boy will perform live at a drive-in movie theater in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 19, and the show will be digitally transmitted live to outdoor movie theaters around the country. Cool concept, dude.

Earasers earplugs. They are compact, contoured and comfortable and eliminate the ringing but don't muffle the sound. Consider them pro quality without custom-made prices.

Candi Staton, "Life Happens." Teaming with Muscle Shoals producer Rick Hall, the veteran R&B star delivers a smart and often sassy concept album about romance, featuring timeless Southern soul with such modern references as BFFs and surfing the Internet.

Jon Bream, Star Tribune