Twin Cities concerts of the week: Jenny Lewis, Cat Power, Amos Lee, Pink Floyd's Nick Mason

Jenny Lewis: Five years since her last album, the Los Angeles twang-pop hero is still singing about failed but exciting romantic liaisons and a troubled upbringing on her fourth effort, "On the Line." This time out, though, there's a surprising number of lyrical references to Minnesota, where she has spent time visiting family and an ex-boyfriend in recent years. Another big difference is the all-star cast of players on this LP, including Benmont Tench, Don Was, Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr and (gulp!) Ryan Adams. Her touring band will have its work cut out, recreating the many wonderfully grandiose tunes. (8 p.m. Fri., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $30-$50, eTix.com.)

Amos Lee: After exercising his soul-music muscles on 2016's "Spirit," the Philly singer-songwriter plumbed deeper into his own soul on 2018's highly personal, moodily soulful "My New Moon," his seventh studio project. He sends messages of hope in songs like "No More Darkness No More Light," inspired by the Parkland High School killings, and "Little Light," sparked by a 9-year-old who beat cancer. And there's the gorgeously soulful "All You Got Is a Song," about coping with trying times. Tour set lists indicate that this longtime Twin Cities favorite does a mix of older and new numbers. (7:30 p.m. Fri., State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $63, ticketmaster.com.)

Baroness & Deafheaven: Two of the most innovative metal bands of today have paired up on a spring tour, a chance for the melodic but mighty, Savannah, Ga.-based Baroness to preview a new album due in June, "Gold & Grey," once again produced by Flaming Lips associate Dave Fridmann. George Clarke and his thrashy, San Francisco-reared Deafheaven earned a Grammy nomination with last year's record, "Ordinary Corrupt Human Love." (7:30 p.m. Fri., Skyway Theatre, Mpls., $29.)

Tim O'Brien Band: On his brand new eponymous album of traditional-style bluegrass, the Grammy-winning picker and his pals do plenty of nifty pickin' and heartfelt singin'. They recast "Diggin' My Potatoes," learned from bluesman Big Bill Broonzy, as bluegrass, and mash up Latin and klezmer styles on the intriguing instrumental "La Gringa Renee." (7 p.m. Fri., Dakota, Mpls., $35-$45)

Hayes Carll: The Texan alt-country tunesmith again holds himself up as one of John Prine's most worthy heirs on his latest and best record, "As It Is," which follows a divorce. It features production and writing input from his new sweetheart, singer/songwriter Allison Moorer. With wry commentary on modern problems and everyday people, the lyrics alternate between gut-punching heartache and spit-taking humor, and the music goes from elegant twang to roadhouse boogie. Opener Ben Dickey portrayed Blaze Foley in last year's underrated, Ethan Hawke-directed movie "Blaze." (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., $22-$25, thecedar.org.)

J.S. Ondara: After his first European trek and a busy stint at the South by Southwest conference that landed him on many artist-to-watch lists, the Kenyan-born, Minneapolis-based folk-rocker finally is back for a proper release show behind "Tales of America," his debut album issued last month by Verve Records. (7 p.m. Fri., 7th St. Entry, sold out.)

Tommy Castro & the Painkillers: Since jettisoning his horn section in 2012, this well-traveled blues guitar star gets to cut loose and improvise more onstage. There's plenty evidence of his sweaty roadhouse swagger on last year's "Killin' It Live" concert disc. Also appearing is longtime Minnesota favorite Corey Stevens, the blues-rocker who evokes Eric Clapton. (8 p.m. Sat., Medina Entertainment Center, $25 and up)

Boyz II Men: It was hard to appreciate the smooth R&B harmonies of these Grammy-winning 1990s hitmakers in Xcel Energy Center two years ago when they appeared with New Kids on the Block. However, the Philly trio (Michael McCary left in 2003 due to chronic health issues) should be able to deliver "On Bended Knee," "One Sweet Day" and other sweet love songs with panache in a theater setting. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Ordway Center, $58-$111)

Above & Beyond: The one electronic dance group that can also go out on an acoustic tour (as it did in 2014), the British trance trio was also one of the very first acts to perform at the newly refurbished Armory for a New Year's Eve 2017 show there. They liked it so much, they're making a special return trip between dates at the EDM-defining Miami Music Week and in Monterrey, Mexico, still touting last year's album "Common Ground." Andrew Bayer and Marsh also perform. (8 p.m. Sat.-1:30 a.m. Sun., the Armory, $50-$75.)

Bob Mould Band: The former ex-Minnesotan indie-rock legend and his steamrolling trio try out the Palace for the first time with local opener Porcupine, featuring Mould's former Hüsker Dü bandmate Greg Norton. on the 40th anniversary of their old band's first performance. Read an interview with Mould and a story about Norton's return to action at startribune.com/music. (8:30 p.m. Sat., Palace Theatre, $30; also 8:30 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, sold out.)

Twin Cities Winter Jazz Festival: The folks behind the annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival also stage an indoor, afternoon mini-fest in the early spring. Headlining is veteran alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, who played with Art Blakey, McCoy Tyner and Miles Davis before leading his own ensembles and recording more than two dozen studio albums. He'll collaborate with Cuban drummer Francisco Mela. Rounding out the fest is a cast of local stars including Debbie Duncan, Patty Peterson, Tanner Taylor, Ticket to Brasil and the Dakota Foundation for Youth Education Combo. (2-7:30 p.m. Sun., Crooners, Fridley, $35-$100)

Cat Power: Six years since she last issued an album and three since becoming a mom, there's no mistaking Chan Marshall's smoky vocals and haunted but hopeful writing style on the new album, "Wanderer," one of the rawest but best efforts of her 20-year career. An incomparable live performer when she's on, the Atlanta-reared songwriter offset the record's mellower tones by getting hard-grooving local punks the Bad Men to open. (8 p.m. Mon., Varsity Theater, 1308 SE 4th St., Mpls., $43.) C.R.

Take 6: The wondrous male a cappella sextet from Alabama teamed up with Manhattan Transfer last year at the Ordway. This time, the eight-time Grammy winners will work their jazz/soul/gospel magic in an intimate club in which Take 6 cofounder Claude McKnight's younger brother Brian has performed regularly. Expect plenty of interpretations of pop hits from last year's "Iconic" album such as Eric Clapton's "Change the World" and the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life." (7 & 9 p.m. Mon. Dakota, $30-$60)

Mott the Hoople '74: For Mott's first U.S. tour in 45 years, frontman Ian Hunter is teaming up with Ariel Bender and Morgan Fisher from the glam-rock group's 1974 lineup. After doing festivals in Europe last year, they promise "All the Young Dudes," "All the Way from Memphis" and other faves — but nothing from Hunter's choice solo catalog. The Suburbs, Minnesota's own revered rock vets, open. (8 p.m. Tue. First Avenue, $50)

Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets: Ever wonder what Pink Floyd sounded like before the 1973's epic "Dark Side of the Moon"? Then check out Floyd drummer's new touring side project. After debuting in Europe last year and hitting the States this spring, Mason parties like it's 1969, with the help of Spandau Ballet singer/guitarist Gary Kemp and Floyd touring bassist Guy Pratt, among others. While Floyd's Roger Waters tours stadiums and arenas, Mason, 75, is keeping it intimate in theaters and infinitely psychedelic in a pre-"Dark Side" prog-rock way. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Orpheum, Mpls., $45-$199.50)

Marshall Crenshaw & the Bottle Rockets: The wry and wistful Detroit rocker of "Someday, Someway" fame has been touring with the cult-loved St. Louis twang-rockers as both his opening act and backing band. It's made for some playful, new interpretations of old Crenshaw favorites and recent tunes, as well as some spins through mutually picked covers such as Grant Hart's "2541." (8 p.m. Thu., Fine Line, $27-$30.)