The We Shared Milk are said to be a little eclectic. They have a solid foundation of rock, but also a lilt and experimental accents. New album, Lame Sunset, expresses heavy, infirmed themes and weighty bass among tapping cymbals. Many songs, like the title track, fluctuate with an echoing guitar that finishes in accelerated swirling melodies. Boone Howard’s voice breaks in and out of clear skies and overcast distortion, incidentally sounding more 70’s than the Caleb Followil nature of previous album History of Voyager and Legend Tripper. "Joe" speaks of pulling away in isolation, and almost sounds as if it might break into The ‘Stones "Time is on Your Side". "Feeling Sick" is surprisingly uptempo. "Could This Be Real" is a little twisted, sometimes scraping and hoarse with huge drums pounding. The depression is cathartic, with the work as a whole seeking a kind of redemption from daily miseries in pretty, watery, ruminations.

We feel ya, guys. We feel ya.

It is no coincidence that the word “heat” is part of this band’s name. The high-energy, adrenaline rushing songs of Otis Heat will definitely make your body temperature rise. The rawness of a grunge tone is mixed into hard hitting funk bass lines that pop right along to the drum beat. The prevalence of the bass channels Les Claypool and the weirdly gorgeous vocals bring a sound close to that as well. Otis Heat plays with emotion; their lyrics are unfiltered and sung with a punch. They draw post funk enthusiasts that love classic rock and dance as if it’s mandatory. OH is known for throwing down amazing and intimate performances, so if you’re out celebrating this Saturday and want to reel in the night on a high note (well obviously you’re going to do that, but if you want to see a concert) come to the Bunk Bar to see Otis Heat w/ TxE. – Colin Hudson

The fresh-faced guys of Vancouver, WA’s Foreign Talks were still in high school when they began playing together back in 2011. The arrangements of the four piece are allocated evenly, from the brotherly harmonies of Marcus and Madison Fischer to their mystical guitar work and slow, patient train sounds within songs like "Save Your Energy". Their independence is asserted on "Mama", where they apologize for not wanting to "play your precious football" because they have "a musical artery" with tempo shifting percussion and warm strums. There are plenty of coming-of-age and first love themes juxtaposed with an old soul maturity – a genuine musicianship that is bound to find its way into a prime time television drama. Last year Foreign Talks signed with Portland’s Expunged Records (Priory, Blind Pilot), and they will be celebrating the release of first album, The Spell, at Backspace Cafe on April 18th with Red Cloud. – Brandy Crowe

The Bottlecap Boys will be releasing their new album, East to West, April 19th at the Wonder Ballroom. East to West takes an old classic house of music with chipped white paint, broken windows, porch falling apart and remodel it into something beautiful. The foundation of this musical house is a solid base of the greats of country and bluegrass. A certain Hank Williams Sr. waltz sound and good old fashioned Bill Monroe form the foundation, with some tinges of what might be called Irish-punk adorning the walls. What’s important is that the Bottlecap Boys take well worn grooves then rework, polish and innovate the sounds to make something new and fresh. Among the notable aspects of their new album are the lyrics and vocals. Most bluegrass(y) groups have the standard elements – thumping bass, the devil’s fiddle wailing away and mandolin plucking around like a chicken. The Bottlecap Boys lack nothing in the standard elements but instead bring inventive songwriting and lyrics to the table as well. A great example of this is the slower-paced track, “Bridges,” which is a wonderful synergy of country waltz, bluegrass particulars and a hint of sea shanty. The release of East to West promises to be one hell of an event, so be there or be square. Friday, April 19th at the Wonder Ballroom. – Cory Huennekens 

Sometimes a band can carry a sound so heavy it punches you right in the guts. Tango Alpha Tango do just that. Party because they write and play from the guts and partly because they’re not afraid to play new age Satanic blues that stay-at-home mothers of the 1970s would panic about. To adventurous souls, however the distorted slide guitar that draws the likes of Jimmy Page and Jack White sound nothing short of beautiful. But enough of the preaching, Tango Alpha Tango simply knows how to get down and do so with excellent stage presence led by frontman and guitarist Nathan Trueb. The band’s powerful bass lines are traced by an affected and harmonious keyboard that are both held down by a thorough drummer. Nathan’s bluesy guitar and punkish vocals make this band one of the most powerful acts that Portland has to offer. – Colin Hudson

The Dimes, a band whose music has an americana soul, pop hooks and hipster sensibilities is releasing a new EP this Friday night at the consistently enjoyable Doug Fir Lounge. The Dimes are making a slight departure from the light, crisp tracks like "Catch Me Jumping" that were so easy to find on the 2007 album that garnished them critical and popular success. The new EP seems to favor a fuller, fleshed out anthemic sound that still keeps company with the clean folk vibe that first launched the band into the spotlight. Joining The Dimes on the bill are two of Portland’s folk-inspired gems. The Lower 48, who take the pop/folk relationship to new and lovely long-term commitment heights and Alameda, a 5 piece ensemble that layer sleepy vocals and modern riffs with the classical instrumentation that only a cellist can provide. If you are looking for an eclectic collection of folk inspired music, this show will do nicely. Doors open at 8:00pm, tickets are $9 in advance or $10 at the door. – Joy Pearson

Unknown Mortal Orchestra isn’t so unknown anymore. Ruban Nielson came to Portland from New Zealand and anonymously formed tracks that sauntered upon our ears with an avant-garde 60’s psychedelia and quiet, heartening vocals. He made it a trio with "dance-fuckin-dance" fast bass from Jake Portrait and have now settled with new drummer Riley Geare (The Tomorrow People, Radiation City) to tour new album aptly named II. Called UMO by those familiar, (or because it’s easier to say when you have had a few) they have been galavanting between cities, including  SXSW and a spot on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The new album is an extension from the first self titled release. Songs like "Monki" are still heavy on the low-fi, and Ruban still manipulates billowing wah’s and waves from his guitar a-la "Nerve Damage". There is swagger and shuffling up-tempo, but also entrancing, dimly lit paths to explore. See them at their home show before they hit the road again – with Wampire. – Brandy Crowe 

What do you get when you put heavy metal, punk, and some rockabilly into a demented, nocturnal clown car and crash it full speed into a brick wall? Something that might sound like the badass music Bubble Cats are pumping out. Bubble Cats are releasing three EPs entitled Hiss, Mews and Purr this Saturday at Troubadour Studios and all three are sure to rock your socks. These guys have somehow managed the difficult task of making music that has a catchy pop feel while still keeping a honest grinding rock edge with songs like “Solidarity” and one of my personal favorites “Birds of Prey”. One can only hope that very soon these fellas will find their way to mainstream radio and replace some of the soul-less riff-raff currently clogging much of the airwaves. Bubble Cats triple EP release of Hiss, Mews, and Purr this Saturday at Troubadour Studios. Bring your girlfriend and enjoy the mellow songs or go stag and tear it up, this show is perfect either way. Grab your girl and go, let the whiskey flow, but mainly just get yourself to the Bubble Cats show! – Cory Huennekens

Bridgetown is known for doing some things right, two of them being food and music. The Analog Cafe has managed to create a venue where both art forms are celebrated. Donnie Rife is the man behind the recently opened venue that boasts one of the best sound systems in Portland as well as Executive Chef Javier Canteras, a classically trained and well respected Chef, in charge of the menu. This means a few things for Analog Cafe. First, if you are a band, you want to play here. The sound system is amazing, as I found out when I visited on an open mic night last Thursday. Second, Canteras can cook. I came full, not wanting to have another fried meal from a bar. Imagine my surprise when the table next to me was enjoying what turned out to be a proper meal. The man can cook and by the end of the night everyone was enjoying some amazing local talent, amazing local cuisine, and mighty fine drinks from their full bar. The venue can comfortably hold 500- yes you read that correctly- 500 people. That is going to be handy because Analog Cafe is also home of DRD Records, the brains behind this operation. Rife explains the motto behind this endeavor is "Rock stars and rock star chefs," and they are doing it well with an impressive lineup of acts, themed nights and a menu that will satisfy the foodie in all of us. – Joy Pearson

There isn’t a band in Portland as keen to the grooving psychedelia of the late ‘60s as The Pynnacles. The Pynnacles take influence from garage rock’s glory days and inject it with a modern energy as driving as any punk group, resulting in an explosive live show that can get any crowd on their feet. This explosive spirit is captured in dynamic clarity on their debut album, which is being released this Saturday night at the Tonic Lounge. From the first track the album pulls the listener in with it’s lively rhythms and contagious vocal hooks that set the stage for the electrifying sounds that follow. Guitars wail, organs pulse and drums fly as the album moves through it’s vintage styles and psychedelic tones, leaving the listener wanting more after the final note of “The Open Road” is struck. Be at the Tonic on Saturday night celebrate the release with The Pynnacles, The No Tomorrow Boys and The Verner Pantons and pick up a copy of the new album while you’re there. You don’t want to miss this one. – Benjamin Toledo

Shook Twins brought their country style from Idaho to Portland and turned it into a bigger, more contemporary sound. They now have a full lineup to complete what once was an identical twin duo of a an acoustic guitar and banjo player to include a vast range of instrumentation including an upright bass, mandolin, face drums and a large golden egg that is used for percussions. The elements of bluegrass set the backdrop while they sing cleanly along to a wahhed out guitar. Shook Twins have an incredible ability to draw in an audience as each song tells a story and their laid back persona makes the show personable, danceable, and fun. After a hefty touring schedule, they have made their way back to Portland for an eclectic evening at the Wonder Ballroom this Friday night with supporting acts Bike Thief and Lost Lander. – Colin Hudson

Fever is perhaps one of the brightest spots in the Bridgetown Goth and Rock Noir scene. Their website instructs listeners and fans to enjoy Fever’s music "with a black lace garter and shot of whisky," and nothing could suit this music better. The seductive fusion of dark themes and dreamy vocals end up sounding like the best kind of trouble. The Tonic Lounge will be trying to contain all this trouble March 29 when Fever will hit the stage once again, preceded by the multifarious Lydian Gray. Lydian Gray weaves the same rock noir threads into a texture entirely different from Fever, but with the same dark exploration of intelligent music. The end result is a deeply engaging and intriguingly thoughtful sound that has earned comparisons to Tom Waits and Muse. The Fur Coats will also be gracing the stage, bringing a pop sound that is soulful and crisp. This band knows how to enjoy themselves on stage and by the sounds of things, they had as much fun in the studio recording the self titled album that dropped this last January. Doors will open at 8:00pm and there is a $5 cover to see three of Portland’s bands that go together as well as good tunes, a black lace garter and a shot of whiskey. – Joy Pearson