Sounds Good: Adam Lee@Replay, Wilco@Uptown & 96.5 the Buzz’s XXX-Mas@Midland

Has the relationship between Miss Piggy and Kermit ever bothered you?

Or made you think a little bit?  I’ve been seeing all these commercials for the new Muppet movie, and I think it dredged something up from the past that I had forgotten about.  Or repressed, if that’s what you want to call it. 

But I don’t need to get into that right now in front of all of you. 

Anyway, I noticed that all the songs in the movie are by Bret McKenzie, one half of the New Zealand duo Flight of the Conchords.  You know, the Conchords… with hits such as "Leggy Blonde,"  "If That’s What You’re Into," and "Albi the Racist Dragon."

(Think about it, though, and tell me honestly that you can’t picture Kermy in a leather hood with a zippered mouth. Be honest.)

Friday, December 2nd

Adam Lee and Pete Stein at the Replay in Lawrence for an *early show* – 6 pm 

Most Kansas Citians have probably heard of Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Company.  Well, this Friday, Mr. Lee is going solo for an early show at the Replay.  Lee plays mostly country tinged tunes that tell tales of drinkin’, fightin’, cussin’, and kissin’.  His deep baritone hearkens back to the days of yore, bringing a more traditional country sound than some of the alt-country acts that get a little caught up in the hipster thing.  

Pete Stein is from Colorado, and his music is in the same vein as Lee’s, though he is a little folkier, accenting his songs with a wailing harmonica riff here and there.  He also fronts a band called Truckstop Coffee that Stein says is currently on hiatus while he pursues the solo troubadour thing.

Saturday, December 3rd

Wilco at the Uptown in KC

This show sold out in about 2.2 seconds, so if you don’t already have a ticket, now’s the time to jump on StubHub or Craigslist.  Wilco’s most recent album, The Whole Love, was released over the summer and has now had time to settle into the crevices of my fragile little mind.  While it’s not Wilco’s best effort, it certainly isn’t their worst, and it sees the band heading back in the right direction after they seemed to be drifting aimlessly on the last couple albums. 

Sure, there are a couple throwaways, but there’s also a couple songs that have the potential to be fan favorites, like One Sunday Morning and Sunloathe.  And Wilco’s live shows are always solid, featuring the maniacal guitar work of Nels Cline backed by sweaty-as-can-be Glenn Kotche pounding and smiling his way through the night.  Maybe Tweedy will even tell a joke. 

Also on the bill is Nick Lowe, writer and longtime producer for Elvis Costello and others.  Most famously, he penned the Costello hit (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.  Lowe has been warming up the audience with solo acoustic versions of his hits, as well as some new ones sprinkled in from his recent release, 2011’s The Old Magic. 

Monday – Wednesday, December 5th – 7th

The Night the Buzz Stole XXX-Mas at the Midland in KC

Three nights, three shows.  Monday night has headliners Florence & the Machine, as well as up and coming indie disco-ers Two Door Cinema Club, and local act Cowboy Indian Bear, who happen to remind me a little bit of Two Door.  This night is already sold out I believe, but fear not, there are two more nights! 

Night two features 311, who seem like they’ve been cranking out mellow rap/rock since I was in diapers.  Also of note on this night is Surfer Blood, an indie band from Florida that got a boost over the last few years by being pimped by Pitchfork and other indie-cred-making machines.  

To close it all out are the Celt-rockers Flogging Molly on Wednesday night.  They’re joined by NYC’s electronic-pop duo Matt and Kim, as well as Company of Thieves and local product, Antennas Up.