Besides having a killer name, Philly outfit Dragonzord’s knack for crafting gritty soundscapes like the intro of “I Take It Back/Old Clothes” lends itself to the band’s lyrical honesty. Far from polished, their sound is unnervingly raw, enhanced by the twang of haphazard guitar and fuzzy basement sounds. Messy, loud and heartfelt, Dragonzord’s sound falls somewhere between Oberst’s early orchestration and the jangle of Jeff Magnum’s Invent Yourself a Shortcake. Substantially spacey “Deep Dark Start” and the gentle thumps of “Teen Plague” are transformative and chill, a perfect and washed out sublime. Nicely coupled with the unpredictable beats of Hermit Thrushes, Dragonzord’s performance is a fitting companion to this buzz-worthy band. The charming dings of “Snowflake Heart” and heartwarming riffs of “Benaki” are equal parts melody and meticulous genius. Polished quasi-pop with The Books style backbeats, Hermit Thrushes songs are strangely intoxicating, much like the bizarrely awesome tracks of The Circadian Rhythms (think of the bluesy “La Di Da” or the jazzy “Symptoms”). Destined to be famous, at least in the blogosphere, witness these three at their best before Pitchfork finds out. They’ll be hosting D.C.’s Deleted Scenes and Hume as well as NY’s Sons of an Illustrious Father. The Ox, 2nd St and Oxford St., 8pm, $5, All Ages – Dianca Potts