WED/17
TAB BENOIT, MIKE ZITO This terrific, rootsy double bill features sharp up-and-coming blues rocker Zito opening for the perennially underrated swamp-rocking Benoit, whose tough Telecaster leads and gritty vocals define the rugged soul of Louisiana music in all its forms. $15 and two canned goods. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. -- Hal Horowitz
THUR/18
ANCIENT HARMONY, TOY TV There seems to be an influx of jam bands in Atlanta around this time of year; must be the return of the college crowd. Ancient Harmony is competent, fun to twirl to, and "deadicated." Toy TV opens. $8 plus two canned goods. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. -- James Kelly
THE DALLAS AUSTIN EXPERIENCE, COLIN MUNROE Dallas Austin is "Exasperated." Of course, he's referring to war and politricks in the song from his anticipated album 8 Dazeaweakend. But we'd like to think the prolific musician who's produced for acts ranging from Fishbone to Madonna is just a little frustrated with the staid state of music nowadays, too. What else would compel him to launch his first solo venture after all these years? 9 p.m. $20. Vinyl. 404-885-1365. www.vinyl-atlanta.com. -- Rodney Carmichael
FRI/19
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA The lineup and style may have changed over the Boys' five-decade and counting career, but the message is the same. The Christmas season is the best time to experience the vocal act's joyous, rousing and crowd-pleasing gospel. $21-$53. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. -- HH
CARTEL, HOLIDAY PARADE, TRANCES ARC, ASHER & QUICK Tuneful local emo-pop quintet Cartel parlayed its outsized anthems and Will Pugh's bright, urgent vocals into a major-label deal. The group recorded the hit self-titled disc in a bubble on Manhattan's Pier 54 as part of an MTV reality miniseries last year. 7 p.m. $16.50. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. -- CP
LARRY KEEL FAMILY HOLIDAY SHOW It's a packed night of great acoustic music, with Keel and his boys welcoming a slew of guests, including super-picker Tony Rice, members of Blueground Undergrass and Grayson Capps. Should be a grand time. $20-$22.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. -- JK
RECOMPAS, TREE CREATURE, MAGICICADA, DJ CHRIS DEVOE, DAN HOLE POND, LANCE LEDBETTER, PAUL HARPER Several local drone makers and psychedelic sound explorers join efforts for a night of quiet reflection while seeking shelter from winter weather. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. -- Chad Radford
SAT/20
A DRY INK CHRISTMAS PARTY Atlanta webzine Dry Ink hosts a punk rock Christmas party headlined by literary drunks, punks and rock and roll rabble rousers All Night Drug Prowling Wolves. U.S. Royalty and Kintaro open the show. $5-$7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. -- CR
ED ROLAND The price is a little steep, but these annual intimate club dates from Mr. Collective Soul are benefits and the chance to catch Roland (and friends) in the unplugged, up close and personal Eddie's environment. Worth the dough. Repeat show Sunday. $40. 8 p.m. Eddie's Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. -- HH
LYONNAIS, RETCONNED Lyonnais creates a swirling mass of drone and bliss while Retconned leans toward a more sadistic and digitally damaged avenue of outsider, electronic music. $5. 9 p.m. 529. 404-228-6769. -- CR
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA, DEAD CONFEDERATE, KEVIN DEVINE, ALL GET OUT Manchester's premiering the forthcoming album live: It's tougher, meatier, but still uber-melodic, like Brian Wilson on crack listening to In Utero. Dead Confederate's buzz and drone splits the difference between slowcore and shoe-gazing. Devine's smart singer/songwriter style gets a rowdy full-band makeover. 8 p.m. $12-$15. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. -- CP
MUSIC IN THE GLEN Music and song from yuletide traditions of Ireland, Scotland, England and their American descendants. A traditional Irish band with a contemporary sheen, the CD Fuar ("Cold") is a wintery mix of songs released last year. $3-$7. 7:30 p.m. St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. 770-521-0207. www.musicglenatlanta.com. -- Mark Gresham
STEEP CANYON RANGERS Georgia has its share of odd places to hear music, but Everett's is a real jewel. A throwback to the old days of no alcohol or bad behavior, it's a perfect setting for the true-to-bluegrass Rangers. $15 donation. Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee. 770-945-5628. www.everettbrothers.com. -- JK
ZOROASTER, DOOMSAYER, ROYAL THUNDER, HELL COMES TO TOWN Zoroaster headlines a night of groove-laden doom metal and sensory overload. Fellow local metal heads Doomsayer, Royal Thunder and Hell Comes to Town also perform. $10 plus two canned goods. 8 p.m. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. -- CR
SUN/21
NEW TRINITY BAROQUE Music by Vivaldi, Corelli, Scarlatti, Torelli (and other composers whose names might likely end in "i") come together in an alla Barocco candlelight conspiracy titled "Christmas in Italy." Predrag Gosta leads the NTB and soloists. $19-$39. ($9 student discount with ID.) 8 p.m. St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. 404-547-5775. www.newtrinitybaroque.org. -- MG
WILL DOWNING, LALAH HATHAWAY, GERALD ALBRIGHT Sophisticated soulman Downing returns to the stage after battling the inflammatory muscle disease polymyositis, and offers "A Soulful Christmas" with contemporary R&B/jazz singer Hathaway (daughter of Donny Hathaway) and jazz saxmaster Albright. $35-$75. 7 p.m. Woodruff Arts Center. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. -- MG
Bands/performers/venues wishing to be included in Sound Menu's noted-acts boxes may send recordings, press material and schedules two weeks in advance to Creative Loafing c/o Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@creativeloafing.com. To be included in the listings only, e-mail venue and band schedules by Thursday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Wednesday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.
