This Weekend’s Picks: They Might Be Giants at TLA, Far-Out Fangtooth at Kung Fu Necktie, Ray LaMontagne at Mann Center

FRIDAY, SEPT 30
They Might Be Giants finally released its new album, Join Us, after a four-year hiatus from the adult alternative scene. During that time off, the band released two children’s music albums; the genre is fitting for the New York City-based band, whose musical style tends to be unadulterated, feel-good rock. They Might Be Giants’ songs have unambiguous words that get straight to the point with consistently bright instrumentals. The lyrics often have heavy sentiments masked in major keys, causing them to stay sunny even when they’re, at their core, exceptionally cloudy. The band’s most recent album is a good example, with the accusatory song “When Will You Die,” which is an upbeat tune about a sociopath. They Might Be Giants performs at 8 p.m. Friday, September 30th, at Theater Of The Living Arts; tickets for the all-ages show are $27. —Caitlyn Grabenstein

Also Playing: XPN Welcomes Ray LaMontagne + Brandi Carlile, Dawn Landes at The Mann Center (7:30 p.m., all ages, $27.50–$47.50); Blood Feathers + Like A Fox, Matthew O’Neill at Johnny Brenda’s (9:15 p.m., 21+, $10); The Quelle Source (EP-release Show) + Wendy, Shorty Boy Boy at Kung Fu Necktie (7:30 p.m., 21+, $8); Toy Soldiers, Levee Drivers, The Lawsuits, Toddler Kat, Sherman at The Fire (9 p.m., 21+, $8)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Philly-based quartet Far-Out Fangtooth celebrates the release of its debut album, Pure And Disinterested this Saturday night at Kung Fu Necktie. Though the album has been available via Siltbreeze Records (and Far-Out Fangtooth’s Bandcamp) for less than a week, the band has already established itself as one to watch in the area, thanks to its esoteric take on goth-chic and emphasis of better-than-you garage fuzz noise. After the release of its first 7-inch—which featured the droney tracks “Pathways” and “Why Don’t You Cry”—last year, the band has kept busy performing and recording its full-length debut. The result is a slightly more polished 11-track disc, emphasizing clearer percussion and guitar over the vague, foggy delirium that characterized the band’s earlier sound. Far-Out Fangtooth performs with Creepoid, Swimmers Ear, and The Trowels at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1st, at Kung Fu Necktie; tickets to the 21+ show are $8.—Marielle Mondon

Also Playing: East Hundred + Jenny Owen Youngs, She Keeps Bees at Johnny Brenda’s (9:15 p.m., 21+, $10); House Bat + Univox, Faux Slang at Milkboy Philly (9 p.m., 21+, $5–$8); Primus at Tower Theatre (8 p.m., $47–$69.50); Psychedelic Furs + Tom Tom Club at Keswick Theatre (8 p.m., $29.50–$35); The Bangles + Antigone Rising at TLA (8 p.m., $32)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
The Horrors + The Stepkids at World Cafe Live (8 p.m., $24–$34)