CD reviews

Lou Barlow
Goodnight Unknown
(Merge)
*7.9*
Goes well with: Palace Brothers, Nick Drake, Superchunk

When the word "challenging" is used to describe music, sometimes it's referring to a record that, in one way or another, crashes into your eardrums instead of politely waiting to be invited in. Barlow's work with Sebadoh-and, to a lesser extent, early Dinosaur Jr.-can be described that way. But his later projects-Sentridoh, Folk Implosion and his solo work-weren't challenging in the same way. Although decent, 2005's Emoh missed its chance to successfully synthesize Barlow's nearly quarter-century of indie-rock service. Chock-full of snappily produced downers, there was nary a hint of the squawking sway of "Sister" from Sebadoh's Bubble and Scrape or the go-go-go of "God Told Me" from that band's III.

That's why Goodnight Unknown is the most comprehensive of Barlow's work to date, under his own name or otherwise. And while Goodnight Unknown is a long way from being a throwback record, it feels a whole lot looser and at ease than Emoh. The bluster of opening tune "Sharing" fades into the twang and keys of the title track, assuring listeners he's not headed for the coffeehouses any time soon. Outside of "One Machine, One Long Flight," the rest is pretty mellow and introspective, and 11 of 14 songs clock in under three minutes. Not that much of a change, but just enough to once again follow him into the dark.

Lou Barlow plays Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Belly Up Tavern.


The Chinese Stars
Heaven on Speed Dial
(Anchor Brain)
6.8
Goes well with: The Hives having a panic attack, Massive Attack with a case of the hives

The Chinese Stars wouldn't make very good ninjas. They're about as quiet and stealthy as Glenn Beck on a meth binge and as subtle as breaking a bottle of High Life over somebody's head. Then again, they call this "noise rock" for a reason.

Heaven on Speed Dial is anything but tentative, kick-starting with "Rabbit Face" and largely maintaining a frantic, albeit disjointed, pace the rest of the way. The Stars have all the frenetic energy (and some of the aural aesthetic) of The Hives, only a lot weirder and messier, with guitars swapping between grind and whine and singer Eric Paul howling like a deranged, androgynous cross between Pelle Almqvist and Perry Farrell.

Tracks like "No Car No Blowjob" and "Slow Children" are plenty strange, but they're also bizarrely catchy, even danceable, thanks to ear-yanking guitar hooks, funkified bass lines and hip-shaking synth flourishes. By the end of Speed Dial, you feel kind of like you just woke up after a sordid night of debauchery. You're tired, dirty and don't really know what the hell just happened. But you're pretty sure it was fun.

The Chinese Stars play Saturday, Nov. 7, at Soda Bar.


Panther
Entropy
(Kill Rock Stars)
7.4
Goes well with: Quasi, Pinback, The Unicorns

In music-promotion parlance, adjectives like "mature" and "restrained" are often euphemisms for "boring." It's a polite way for a flack to justify why a once-exciting band has become as edgy as a middle-aged man with an earring and a bomber jacket. Portland, Ore., duo Panther made minor waves last year with the album 14 Kt God, a funk-punk pastiche that scrolled through ideas and influences at a rapid speed and became the fulcrum for their rowdy, dance-oriented live show. Entropy, the band's follow-up, is being billed as a more piano-driven record-Steely Dan is a reference point. And yet, the switch to a more layered, nuanced and, yes, mature sound hasn't resulted in an album any less interesting.

Beginning with the wobbly, stumbling-home-from-the-bar rhythm of "Latitudes for Centuries," Entropy deploys a variety of ethereal vocal melodies and refined hooks. The angular guitar riffs of "Control Yr Ships" imagine a less-feral Les Savy Fav, while "Springwater" and "Bridge on Fire" have a shopworn, late-'70s vibe. Entropy crests with "Love is Sold," which weds the unhinged, spastic energy of Panther's earlier work with a plaintive chorus that has front man Charlie Salas-Humara repeating, "When your love / it is sold / it is cold." Simple but effective, Panther's evolving sound proves that the right amount of chops can keep a band's refinement exciting.

Panther play Saturday, Nov. 11, at Bar Pink.