Kevin Bronson on June 17th, 2010

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Top 4 post-NBA Finals excursions that don’t involve hooliganism:

‣ When Alex Brown Church launched his Sea Wolf project in 2007, I was struck by how similar his aesthetic was to one of my longtime favorites, Matt Pond PA. After hearing Pond’s eighth album, I’m convinced there ought to be some indie-folk cage match. Or maybe their respective string players can fence with their bows. Pond’s new album, released in April, is titled “The Dark Leaves” (Sea Wolf’s first album was titled “Leaves in the River”), and it finds the New York-based songwriter as his brightest. Its nimble melodies and swoon-worthy arrangements support the pastoral imagery Pond uses as metaphors for his musings on survival and renewal. “The Dark Leaves” is downright moving, if not five-star poignant. Pond plays the Troubadour tonight, supported by Canadian indie-rockers Wintersleep. [Download, via Paste, Matt Pond’s “Starting.”]
‣ Soulful Fitz & the Tantrums continue their Thursday night residency at Spaceland.
‣ Run Run Run marks the release of its new album “Pico” at the Silverlake Lounge.
‣ And, if buoyant orchestral pop is up your alley, Portland’s Hey Marseilles is worth investigating. [Download: “Rio” and (via Under the Radar) the title track to their forthcoming album, “To Travels & Trunks.”] The band plays the Bootleg Theater tonight with Loch Lomond.

Your tastes may vary: Vato Negro at the Echo; GBH at the Fonda Theatre; Video Games Live at the Nokia Theatre; Alborosie at the Roxy; Jenny Owen Youngs at the Hotel Cafe; Theory of Flight at the Viper Room; Murderdolls at the Key Club; Imaad Wasif at the Hobby Shop; Bikos at Pehrspace; Falcon Eddy at Echo Curio; 50 Cent Haircut at 3 Clubs; and Sun Araw at Synchronicity.