DICK DIVER, THE WOOLEN MEN
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) Dick Diver took their name from a character in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, but the title of the Australian band's third album, Melbourne, Florida, was partly inspired by another heavy drinker in American history. "Melbourne, Florida, is where Jim Morrison was born," says guitarist Alistair McKay. "It's an old trivia question: 'What do Jim Morrison and Kylie Minogue have in common? They were both born in Melbourne.' One in Florida, one in Australia." Fortunately, Dick Diver sound nothing like Jim Morrison or Kylie Minogue—their compact, slice-of-life songs are probably more closely related to Fitzgerald, with a critical eye on the delights and delusions that can often distract one from the essence of life. The sound of their songs, however, pushes numerous pleasure buttons, and unabashedly so. The dueling guitars of McKay and Rupert Edwards chime together warmly, and they trade vocals with the group's other two members, bassist Al Montfort (also of Total Control) and drummer Steph Hughes, lending a communal, democratic vibe to the album. NED LANNAMANN Read our article on Dick Diver.


BARRA BROWN'S BENDS WITH FRENEFITS
(Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th) As with most genres, the continued evolution of jazz depends on younger players like Barra Brown. The percussionist and composer moonlights in the indie world, backing up bands like Ages and Ages and Old Wave, but pours his true creative energy into his own work. Songs for a Young Heart, the 2013 album he recorded with his quintet, folded elements of post-rock in with stately horn parts and his own unflappable drumming. Brown's upcoming full-length, Dreaming Awake, promises an even more expansive field of play with the addition of a string section and a trio of female vocalists. His performance tonight at Jimmy Mak's finds Brown working without his usual ensemble, instead playing a set of original compositions (including some tunes from his new record) with a batch of other young jazz players, such as guitarist Grant Sayler and pianist Matt Tabor. ROBERT HAM