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Pop Rock: I tell you this honestly: There was a period of my life when I would walk along with a copy of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies by Of Montreal in my CD player, and it truly scared me. Walking the Tacoma streets at night with the schizophrenic pop blaring in my ears was enough to make me question my sanity. Social Studies take this sound and - thankfully - soften it a bit. The super clean, psychedelic pop sounds are still there, but stillness and ease are added to the pot, creating an easier, not quite so disturbing listen. Some songs even venture further into the more comfortable realm of pop-rock, without relinquishing the buzzing baroque that made the band special to begin with. Giving your mind a moment of rest is not a weakness. Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m., all ages, The Den@urbanXchange, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280 - Rev. Adam McKinney
Dark Pop: Hotel St. George's music is a kind of damaged pop that we've grown to know through bands like Spoon or Guided By Voices - as disparate as those bands might seem. Their melodies are pure and catchy as all get out, but the vocals and lyrics are desperate, longing pleas for love - or maybe just help. The guitars are strummed with veined forearms and gritted teeth, and the vocals keep it cool over an undertone of panic and unease. This kind of dark pop sustains music in general, coming along every so often to make sure it prospers. And we, as its consumers, inherit its riches to someday pass on to our heirs. Music - pop music - is the circle of life. Hotel St. George live on in that tradition. With Johnny Cheezbrgr, Apes of Wrath, Fine Slew, Wednesday, May 19, 10 p.m., no cover, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710 - Rev. AM
Acoustic Rock: Playing in a variety of bands, Jonny Smokes dabbles with everything from bass to keyboards but is best known for his flawless acoustic sets where he performs dazzling originals and choice covers from bands such as the Eagles and Alice in Chains. In addition to his original music, Smokes has been a member of the Pink Floyd cover band the Empty Spaces and the AIC cover group Jar of Flies, which spawned the side project, the Smoking Lounge. As for solo performances, what began as stripped down acoustic cover songs with just a guitar and vocals has turned into a major musical production as Smokes has added an arsenal of effect pedals, pre-recorded percussion and backup music to his show, creating a richer and fuller sound. Wednesday, May 19, 9 p.m., The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821 - Tony Englehart