Two new bands—“new” as in they post-date the Feelies and the Psychedelic Furs, respectively, even if they’ve both been around for a couple years—with two new albums on which they make some perfect new choices and deliver us some excellent new songs. LA’s Soft Pack makes a left turn after two full-lengths of enthusiastically efficient rock ‘n’ roll and head for a bold new realm of keyboards, horns and considered pop sophistication on their just-out Strapped. And Crocodiles take the hooks and fangs both of early ‘80s alt-pop and the spikes and fur of Spacemen 3 and Jesus and Mary Chain for new album Endless Flowers, which is basically the ultimate in its own little genre. Rarely are we able to say “keep rockin’” with such admiration and sincerity.
Fri., Oct. 19, 7 p.m., 2012
