Front Range recommended shows, 5/6

The weather has been variable and this week's offerings also come from all over the musical map. Pick your poison.

Monday, 6 May (Boulder Theater, Boulder CO)
Steven Wilson

As a music reviewer, I get plenty of free CD and show tickets. I've been a Steven Wilson fan for a long time and I've never gotten the chance to see him live. I reviewed his phenomenal recent solo album, The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories), and I knew that I'd have to see him this tour, even if it meant paying for a ticket. I've happily done so and I'll be at the show.

Wilson's tour keeps the focus on his music, without the distraction of opening bands. His progressive rock is well balanced, satisfying both the left and right brains.Even if you're not familiar with his band, Porcupine Tree, any fan of prog should make it out. Count on a timely start, too.

Tuesday, 7 May (Hi-Dive, Denver CO)
METZ

I saw METZ at South By Southwest this year. They were billed as one of the loudest bands at the festival, but it was their high energy show that caught my ear. Punk thrash and Brownian motion on the stage is a great combination. If it's too loud, you're too old;-)

Thursday, 9 May (Ogden Theatre, Denver CO)
 Jim James

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James has been making the rounds in the wake of his new, soulful solo record Regions of Light and Sound of God. It's a well-grounded album that harks back to the serious Americana roots he's been exploring lately.
 
Friday, 10 May (Ogden Theatre, Denver CO)
The Meter Men

The legendary New Orleans funk band, The Meters, has developed a complex lineage. The Original Meters are a separate, but overlapping line up with The Funky Meters. The Meter Men is another incarnation, focused on The Original Meters, but leaving out Art Neville. The three original members, George Porter (bass), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), and Zigaboo Modeliste (drums) are joined by keyboard player Page McConnell of Phish. The line up played a couple of shows, including B.B. King Blues Club and Grill last year and this year at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. The focus is on the funk rather than slipping off into jam band clouds, but all reports indicate that McConnell does a fine job with the band.

It's a treat that the band is coming to Denver. They don't have a huge national tour scheduled yet that I can see...