One of the great mysteries of rock ‘n’ roll is how one band can play a three-chord song and it will sound like a zillion other tunes, while another band can play the same song and it will sound like a convergence of nirvana and the apocalypse. Whatever that special something is that separates the average from the transcendent, THE NOMADS have it in abundance. For 20 years, this Swedish quartet has been cranking out raw, revved-up, ’60s-style garage rock a la the Seeds and 13th Floor Elevators — with a power and intensity that is legendary. The Nomads’ 1999 LP “Big Sound 2000” was a searingly tuneful howl of three-chord exhilaration that once again set the industry standard. The Nomads perform Tuesday at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600.
Rahzel, Wednesday at House of Blues: With his amazing debut LP, “Make the Music 2000,” Roots crew member Rahzel steps out in a big way and vividly separates himself from the hip-hop pack. In addition to showcasing Rahzel’s astounding human beatbox “vocal percussion” technique, the record steers an imaginative course around every current rap pigeonhole with a set of witty, jazz-y hip-hop that’s simultaneously raw and melodic, tough and sophisticated, offbeat and thoroughly accessible. 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
Fiona Apple, Saturday at the Riviera Theater: From her 75-word album titles to her penchant for “edgy” publicity photos to her flamboyant public persona, Fiona Apple obviously was (is?) the kind of precocious, artsy kid who spent more time exploring her muse than working a paper route. But beneath all of her “I’m 19 and famous” self-indulgence, Apple is an intriguing, piano-based songwriter with a knack for fetching melodies and agreeably offbeat hooks. And on her new LP she dabbles in more ambitious songcraft and more varied arrangements without losing her poise and appeal. Sold out.
Acoustic Vaudeville featuring Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, Tuesday at the Park West: Though the music of Aimee Mann’s first group, Til Tuesday, suggested that she was little more than a lightweight torch singer with a dangerously low supply of lighter fluid, Mann’s sporadic subsequent solo career has proved her to be a formidable, inviting pop songsmith. Sadly, the record industry doesn’t seem to know what to do with her, so her latest, long-awaited batch of great new tunes has been released as the soundtrack to the movie “Magnolia.” This promising acoustic set pairs Mann with like-minded smooth, smart pop songwriter Michael Penn. Sold out.
Matthew Sweet, Thursday and March 17 at the Park West: After a cramped show at a small club, an opening gig at a massive New Year’s Eve bash and an “unannounced” slot at House of Blues, these two shows offer many fans the first chance in some time to catch power pop great Matthew Sweet at a comfortable venue with readily available tickets. Take advantage of it. Sweet’s latest LP, “In Reverse,” is his catchiest in years. 322 W. Armitage Ave. 312-559-1212.
Peter Murphy, Tuesday at the Riviera Theater: Just as Bob Mould retooled the roaring, buzz-punk adrenaline of Husker Du for a more mainstream audience with his solo career, Peter Murphy has smoothed, streamlined and stylized the macabre, vampire-rock of his first band Bauhaus for pop radio over the course of his solo sojourn. Fresh from a successful Bauhaus reunion tour and between record deals, Murphy is back out supporting a new best-of comp “Wild Birds” that nicely documents the breezy, gauzy gothic allure of his finest post-Bauhaus pop. 4746 N. Racine Ave. 312-559-1212.
Other concerts
The Judds, Friday at the Allstate Arena: Well, if Michael Jordan and Gordie Howe can un-retire, why not Naomi Judd? With her hepatitis reportedly in remission, mama Judd has rejoined her superstar daughter, Wynonna, for what should be one of the most anticipated tours in country music history. Though the Judds were pop-oriented crossover C&W stars of the first order, their music also sported a raucous, down-home feel that’s often lacking in the current crop of young Nashville hitmakers. 6920 Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 312-559-1212.
Korn, Thursday and March 17 at the Allstate Arena: Some wise wag once said that if you can’t be good, at least be interesting, and American’s favorite rap-metal extremoid, Korn, has taken that advice to heart on its new LP, “Issues.” Although Korn’s notoriously crude, crusty rapping and down-tuned mega-riffs still display all the evolutionary ambition of pond scum, the band now litters its music with eerie hallucinogenic effects, ethereal voices and the occasional bagpipe. The result is bristling rock slop with odd, arresting trimmings. Sort of like Spam flamb. 6920 Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. 312-559-1212.
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