Happy Returns: The Ting Tings, Animal Collective & the Divorced

Hoooooooooome... Home Agaaaaaaiiiiin...

Well, sadly God Street Wine is not making a New York City return anytime soon. Still, three more bands found their way onto my concert calendar today and I couldn't be more excited. (Even if none of the three actually call New York their home, yet.)

First off, Saturday night The Divorced drive down from Boston to warm up for Tiswas at The Annex. I've only seen them once before, but I liked what I saw. JR Gallagher's voice is an acquired taste, but it's easier to find a pretty, practiced vocalist than an honest one. When he sings, you feel it, and it doesn't take long to hear his songs' introspective beauty. Think M. Ward.

(Full disclosure: I know JR. Hell of a guy.)

Next up, March 16, the Ting Tings are coming back to town! Last time, you'll remember, I saw their abbreviated set as part of WRXP's Matt Pinfield Holiday Extravaganza. They weren't the only good band that night, but they completely stole the show. They're a British band, so if they read this they'll probably be offended that I think they performed with spunk. But honestly, that's more for jargon reasons than anything else. The Ting Tings are fun, talented and write outstanding pop songs. I have no doubt they're going to own Webster Hall.

Finally, Animal Collective returns to the city May 13 at Terminal 5. These tickets don't go on sale until Friday, so hopefully Pitchfork's 9.6 rating of their new disc Merriweather Post Pavilion won't spark a sellout. If it does, of course, I hope Roger gets me my tickets in time! I can't say a whole lot about AC because I haven't heard them yet. I'm about to grab their disc and it will be my next review, though. So keep reading...