The Big Gigs: Critic's picks for the next week in music

Since Travis' first appearances in the United States nearly 10 years ago, the likable Glasgow group has tried to find an identity -- Oasis without the dissension? Coldplay's stepbrothers? At least on their sixth CD "Ode to J. Smith," they've added some serious electric guitars on "Chinese Blues" but they wallow in confusion on the bland "Song to Self." Republic Tigers open. (9 p.m. today, Fine Line, $27-$30.) (J.B.)

The rock world's second-biggest fedora hat wearer (after Jason Mraz, of course), G. Love, and his ever-reliable Special Sauce are gearing up for their usual summer of festival gigs with a few indoor parties. Philadelphia's cheeky groovemakers are touring behind last year's back-to-the-basics disc for Jack Johnson's Brushfire label, "Superhero Brother," which included the bong-baked anthem "Who's Got the Weed?" (9 p.m. today, First Avenue. 18 & older. $25.) (C.R.)

The B Side Jazz Festival at Trocaderos is brimming with A-list artists of various stripes, including R&B trombone giant Fred Wesley, the longtime James Brown sideman who is bringing his seriously funky New JBs (9 p.m. today, $20-$22) and Medeski, Martin & Wood, the groovemasters who are promoting their new "Radiolarians II." Up Bustel & Out opens with a DJ set. (9 p.m. Sat., $25-$27. Info at www.bsideprod.com.) (J.B.)

The last time Heart's "Barracuda" was heard around here was in trumpeting Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention. So don't be surprised if Ann and Nancy Wilson add a little extra bite to that classic when they return with all those Heart hits that have become staples on KQRS and "American Idol." (8 p.m. today, Treasure Island Casino. Sold out.) (J.B.)

Pianist Jim Brickman has had success as a new-age instrumentalist and a middle-of-the-road pop star by enlisting Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John and others to sing on his records. For the first time, the romantic pianist will perform with the Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Sarah Hicks. (8 p.m. today-Sat., Orchestra Hall, $22-$42.) (J.B.)

Yes, Chris Cornell's new solo CD, "Scream," is a departure -- an electronica detour with Timbaland that has critics howling. The Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman argues that the new material will merely broaden his sonic palette for his concerts. Remember, this is the same alt-rock god who did an imaginative, almost waltz-like treatment of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." One new tune in his concert set is the emo ballad "I Promise It's Not Goodbye," co-written with a Texas fan who lost his 6-year-old daughter to cancer (it's available for free at www.chriscornell.com). (6:30 p.m. Sat., Myth. All ages. $37-$40.) (J.B.)

After a decade of roaring through the Warped Tour and other punk-rock avenues, Chicago's Alkaline Trio steered toward Mainstream Street last year with its first album for Epic Records, "Agony & Irony," produced by Josh Abraham (Staind, Linkin Park) and featuring more of a crunchy, anthemic sound. The results weren't quite refined enough to turn into a hit, or to turn away longtime fans of the band's dark, Misfits-meet-My Chemical Romance style. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. 18 & older. $18.50-$22.) (C.R.)

With Peter Buck and two of R.E.M.'s auxiliary members as his Venus 3 backing band on tour and on record, Robyn Hitchcock has MVP support behind his best album of the '00s, "Goodnight Oslo." It includes the golden-nugget track "Up to Our Nex," a Spirit Award-nominated song from "Rachel Getting Married." The whimsical and wily British folk-rocker has consistently produced charming work ever since he flirted with alterna-fame in the late-'80s following the Soft Boys' hasty breakup. (8 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $20.) (C.R.)

Peter Bjorn & John can be extra happy their new disc "Living Thing" has generally avoided the usual backlash that accompanies second efforts by blogger-backed bands (although Pitchfork predictably dissed it). The "Young Folks" hitmakers from Sweden stick with their sugary, hand-clappy, harmonious pop formula in new songs such as "The Feeling" and "Nothing to Worry About," which produced the most smile-inducing music video since Christopher Walken got down for Fatboy Slim. (8:30 p.m. Tue., Fine Line. 18 & older. $17-$18.) (C.R.)

Standards-bearer Steve Tyrell adds an appealing rough-hewn R&B edge to a collection of pop classics on "Back to Bacharach." (He worked with Burt Bacharach as a talent scout in the 1960s.) Dionne Warwick, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin and Martina McBride join him on the groovy recording. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., Dakota Jazz Club, $28-$45.) (J.B.)

Their band name isn't the only charming if semi-predictable thing about the Whore Moans. The howling garage-rock quartet channels the frenzied, harrowing sounds of their fellow Seattle rockers the Murder City Devils with a little Johnny Thunders grime on their new album, "Hello From Radio Wasteland," a recent Fricke Pick in Rolling Stone. With local throttlers Spacewolf. (9 p.m. Wed., Uptown Bar and Cafe. 21 & older. Free.) (C.R.)

Modern-rock fans turned on by the gorgeous throwback harmonies of Fleet Foxes might dig the Great Lake Swimmers, another bearded melancholic folk-rock ensemble from Toronto led by golden-voiced Tony Dekker and buoyed by mandolin, pedal-steel and other rootsy devices. They're on tour with another Canadian, semi-twangy songstress Kate Maki. (9 p.m. Wed., 7th Street Entry. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)

Former Azure Ray singer Maria Taylor has released her third solo CD, "Lady Luck," a collection of pop-folk that's alternately whimsical or melancholy. The highlight is "Cartoons and Forever Plans," a duet with Michael Stipe that sounds like early Indigo Girls. (9 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar, $10.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY Jason Aldean, who likes to pour a double shot of rock into his country cocktail, has a flair for hit singles: "Hicktown," "Johnny Cash" and the current "She's Country," the best track on "Wide Open," his too-slick third album. (8 p.m. Sat., Mystic Lake Casino, $38 & $46.) (J.B.)

A renegade with a biker bent, David Allan Coe has written some country classics, including "Take This Job and Shove It" and "Would You Lay With Me (in a Field of Stone)." While his own repertoire includes "You Don't Even Know My Name" and such bad-boy songs as "Drank My Wife Away" and "Wreckless" (co-written with Kid Rock), he can turn on a quarter into a human jukebox cranking out rock hits like "Purple Rain." (9 p.m. Thu., Cabooze, $22-$24.) (J.B.)

BLUES Probably the only blues and soul band to cover a Jane's Addiction song ("Been Caught Stealing"), the Wisconsin quintet Altered Five also put a blues whammy on hits by Sting, the Pretenders, Prince and Thomas Dolby in its smokin' and fun-filled 2008 release "Bluesified." It makes a strong case for turning the whole Hot 100 into roadhouse fodder, with gritty lead vocals by Jeff Taylor (a school principal by day) and killer lead guitar by Jeff Schroedl. (9 p.m. today, Star Central, 4005 Central Av. NE., Columbia Heights; 9 p.m. Sat., Shaw's, 1528 University Av. NE., Mpls.) (T.S.)

JAZZ The Artists' Quarter commemorates the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest and most popular jazz albums ever, Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," in a two-night salute starring too-seldom-seen trumpet ace Steve Kenny with saxophonist Dave Karr, pianist Mikkel Romstad, bassist Tom Lewis and drummer Kenny Horst. (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $10.) (T.S.)

In her storied career, pianist Jeanne Arland Peterson, 87, has never performed at the Capri Theater, where she went to the movies as a north Minneapolis kid when it was known as the Paradise. She'll be saluted at the venerable venue with a Q & A session and concert with vocalists Debbie Duncan, Arne Fogel, Maud Hixson and Patty Peterson. (3 p.m. Sun., 2027 W. Broadway, Mpls., $25.) (J.B.)

Turban-topped Hammond B-3 organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith shares a bill with husky-voiced young diva Imani Uzuri, touring in support of her critically acclaimed debut "Her Holy Water: A Black Girl's Rock Opera." (6:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center, $22-$24.) (T.S.)

Trombone titan Wycliffe Gordon plays a free show with one of the country's fine service bands, the 12-piece U.S. Air Force Noteables Jazz Ensemble. Gordon is a marvelous player -- fluid, engaging, potent, witty -- known for his work with the Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. He'll also offer a free "master class" at 5 p.m., open to musicians of all ages and all instruments. (8 p.m. Wed., Maranatha Hall, Northwestern College, 3003 N. Snelling Av. N., Roseville.) (T.S.)

A funny thing happened on the way to Judi Donaghy's "CD release party" at the Times Bar & Cafe a couple months back. The club abruptly closed. Now singer Donaghy and the simpatico Wolverines Quartet finally get their night to celebrate at a new downtown venue for jazz. The CD, "Swing On!," is a comfy live recording, long on spontaneity, stage chatter and humor, showing off Donaghy's easy grace with classic balladry. (8 p.m. Wed., Hell's Kitchen, 80 S. 9th St., Mpls. No cover.) (T.S.)