Kevin Bronson on March 16th, 2009

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[Happy birthday to Nancy Wilson from Heart … Now, to a great slate of shows:]

Bands, bands, from distant lands: The Soundtrack of Our Lives [pictured], those Swedish purveyors of psychedelic power-pop, are back with a new album, “Communion” (on Yep Roc), their first effort in four years. And quite an effort it is – a double-disc affair, 24 sprawling tracks, sounding like a beast from the 1970s tackling the ills of our current times. [Stream the whole album here.] Always potent live, TSOOL hits the Troubadour tonight. … Four albums in, Australia’s Youth Group sounds more dulcet than ever. At their best, the quartet has reminded me of the British band James, which can be quite an uplift; at their most pallid, Youth Group succumbs to singer-songwritery cliche. The foursome’s new “The Night Is Ours” (due April 7) leans toward the latter, but they have some passionate L.A. fans, most of whom will flock to Spaceland tonight to see the band perform as part of the Nico Stai residency. [Previously posted: Download “All This Will Pass.”] … The biggest noise of the night will no doubt come from Club Nokia, where Primal Scream is joined by the Brian Jonestown Massacre. … And your early-week dance party can be found at the Music Box @ Fonda, where Simian Mobile Disco performs. … The Swiss duo Larytta headlines a big bill at the Echoplex. … Also: Great Northern at the Silverlake Lounge [see Friday’s post]; Wait. Think. Fast at the top of the Origami Records residency at the Echo; Asobi Seksu at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa; Mika Miko at the Smell; and Vanessa Carlton at the Hotel Cafe