Weekend's top shows: Decemberists, Yo La Tengo, Disappears
Decemberists: Colin Meloy’s band of orchestral-pop innovators takes a detour into more concise, folk-rock songwriting on its latest studio release, “The King is Dead,” 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, $30; etix.com.
Yo La Tengo: The longtime New Jersey trio has remained remarkably consistent over a career that stretches back 31 years, with a series of acclaimed albums and live performances that put a premium not only on intensity and intimacy, but humor and charm, 8:30 p.m. Friday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $22.50; etix.com.
Disappears: The Chicago trance-rock minimalists have a double reason to celebrate, with the release of a new album, “Guider,” and the addition of a new drummer, Steve Shelley, moonlighting from Sonic Youth, 10 p.m. Friday at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Av., $10; ticketweb.com.
greg@gregkot.com