The paradox facing all revolutionary iconoclasts who practice their art into middle age is that after you’ve trampled all the rules you come to a point where the only remaining “extreme” tactic is to re-create those rules and play by them. Hence, Germany’s notorious EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN — which includes Blixa Bargeld (above), Alex Hacke and Andrew Unruh — recently began incorporating harmony and melody into its metal machine music, which for nearly 20 years had been a clanging cacophony of power tools and junkyard debris. The band’s descriptively titled new LP, “Silence Is Sexy,” finds it blending pistons, pipes and standard instruments into an often dramatic, amazingly understated man-machine murmur. It might sound like EN is losing its punch, but the band’s set here two years ago was a totally mesmerizing mix of old-fashioned fury and newfound nuance. Einsturzende Neubauten performs Thursday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203.
Brian Wilson, Saturday at the Chicago Theater: In what is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated performances of the summer, Brian Wilson returns to town to re-create the Beach Boys’ 1966 end-of-innocence masterpiece “Pet Sounds.” Given Wilson’s history of personal problems and long-standing discomfort with performing, this project would have been fraught with peril just a few years ago, but his last concert here was well received, so this could be a special evening. 175 N. State St. 312-559-1212.
Wynonna, Sunday at House of Blues: By undertaking this acoustic benefit performance, Wynonna Judd demonstrates that she’s confident enough in her singing and her songs to forgo the high-tech bells and whistles that are now indispensable elements of some younger country western superstars’ live sets. Though Wynonna is no stranger to MOR schmaltz and pop crossover moves, she’s probably still got enough “down home” in her music to make this stripped-down set sound intimate rather than skimpy. 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
Other concerts
Sting, Friday at the United Center: The primary difference between the pop stars of the ’40s and ’50s and those of the baby boomer ’60s and ’70s is that the boomers have always wanted their heroes to be “deep” as well as talented. And no pop star in recent memory has concocted a thicker veneer of “depth” than Sting. Though his tunes aren’t much more sophisticated than commercial jingles, Sting’s multiculti arrangements and “spiritual” lyrics have convinced some folks that this Leonard Nimoy-level talent is actually rock’s Leonardo da Vinci. 1901 W. Madison St. 312-559-1212.
Jimmy Buffett, Saturday at Alpine Valley and the 29th at the New World Music Theater: Although parrot-heads believe that Buffet’s sing-along, by-the-numbers summer keggers are great just the way they are, they could use a few fresh ideas. So here’s one: Buffett should hire and train the cast of “Survivor” to be his backup band, and the cast member who stays awake and alert the longest during the umpteenth rote rendition of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” gets the million dollars. That’s got to be harder than living on rats and sea water. Alpine Valley Music Theater: Highway D and Highway 120, East Troy, Wis. 414-642-4400. New World Music Theatre: I-80 and Harlem Avenue, Tinley Park. 708-614-1616.
Tattoo the Earth Tour, Wednesday at the World Dome: Pound for hairy pound, the annual Milwaukee Metal Fest may bring together more hellishly ugly, hideously extreme music than any rock showcase on the planet. However, the Tattoo the Earth Tour is obviously out to prove that there’s more than one rock gorgon on the block. Presented by House of Blues, this collection of metal miscreants encompasses everything from the sublimely malignant (Slayer) to the just plain trashy (Nashville Pussy) in its quest for all things abominable. How this project meshes with House of Blues prominently displayed “spiritual” iconography seems kind of hard to figure. Or, (cha-ching!) maybe not. Scheduled performers include Slayer, Slipknot, Coal Chamber, Puya, Sevendust, Hatebreed, Nothingface, Downset and much more. For info: www.tattootheearth.com. At 87th Street and 78th Avenue, Bridgeview. 708-598-9190.
Also: Natalie Merchant, Monday at the Navy Pier Skyline Stage (this paragraph as published has been corrected in this text)
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For more, see metromix.com
