Land of Talk swapped ragged indie anthems for slow-burn drawl on its Saddle Creek debut, “Some Are Lakes,” and though it takes a while to digest, Broken Social Scene member Elizabeth Powell’s loose guitar work and sleepy vocals are as nourishing as ever on it. Saturday at the Larimer Lounge with El Ten Eleven, I Sank Molly Brown and Peña. $8. .
Portugal. The Man is a weird name for a weird band. The Wasilla, Alaska-bred act (now in Portland, Ore.) ostensibly creates classic-tinged pop-rock that’s unafraid to swerve randomly, but the clash of high-pitched vocals, synths and brass tends to make it a bit harder to classify. Tonight at the Marquis Theater with the explosive Earl Greyhound and Wintersleep. All ages. $14. .
The Sisters of Mercy don’t want to freak you out, they just want to entertain you — albeit in the moodiest way possible. The influential U.K. band rose in the ’80s on the goth/industrial wave and rode it around the world through legal disputes and member shifts. Andrew Eldritch brings his project to the Ogden Theatre on Thursday with Hypernova. $32.50-$35. Ticketmaster.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
