Kevin Bronson on May 14th, 2010

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[Things to do this weekend: Wish David Byrne a happy birthday. Find a way to see one of those Flying Lotus shows. Use this post as a opportunity to remind folks that Patrick Park has a new album out.]

As downright pretty as Patrick Park’s third album is, “Come What Will,” like its title, sometimes adheres to singer-songwritery aphorisms a little too closely for comfort. The 33-year-old songsmith couches his plaintive pleas for love, understanding and redemption in gorgeous acoustic guitar flavored by banjo, strings, lap steel and keys, music that deserves more to support the mere notions that “youth is wasted on the young” or that “I see you on the avenue” or that things “go up in smoke.” The album (which came out in late April on Badman), made in L.A. with Dave Trumfio, features a sweet turn from Jennifer Furches on backing vocals, and flashes of heart-stopping balladry such as “You Were Always the One.” Recommended for chronic makers of mixtapes.

||| Live: Park joins friend and L.A. comrade Sea Wolf for a show at 7:30 Sunday night at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park ($12). The pairing also performs Tuesday at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa.

Also this weekend

Big shows from Carole King & James Taylor, Bajofondo and A-Ha; group gatherings Wango Tango, Metalfest and Wavefest; and notable indie gigs from Oliver Future, Useless Keys, Freedy Johnston and Annuals. See my roundup on LA Weekly’s West Coast Sound blog.