When “Lost Souls,” the debut album by Doves, appeared in 2000, it was yet another in a series of striking British pop releases that seemed to herald an English rock renaissance. But where “Lost Souls” attracted the ear with its imaginative mix of murky dance grooves, atmospheric soundscapes and lyrical pop songwriting, Doves’ new CD, “The Last Broadcast,” takes a far less intriguing, more straightforward stab at mainstream pop. Though a number of new tunes (“Words” and the King Crimson “Moonchild” sound-alike “M62 Song”) boast the wistful melodic grace of the trio’s best work, other numbers offer little more than big, extroverted production and nondescript hooks. Hopefully, this is a case of sophomore slump rather than the start of a long, slow slide.
DOVES perform Thursday at the Vic. 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. 312-559-1212.
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE IMPOSTERS, Saturday at the Chicago Theater. Sold out. A few years ago, it looked like Elvis Costello had transformed himself into Luciano Punkarocky, an erstwhile rock bad boy turned cummerbund crooner belting out Brel and Bacharach for pseudo sophisticates. But lo and behold Costello has reconnected with his inner amplifier and served up “When I Was Cruel,” a punchy, often catchy rock/pop opus (with some elegant Euroisms) that proves he’s still cranky after all these years.
CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Grant Park Petrillo Music Shell: Long one of the most under-recognized American art forms, gospel music has seen its commercial profile rise considerably in recent years, and the Chicago Gospel Music Festival has contributed to that rebirth. Now in its 18th season, the 2002 Festival includes these scheduled headliners: Friday: Angie Spivey, Lamar Campbell; Saturday: Lee Williams, Richard Smallwood; Sunday: Mighty Clouds of Joy, Chicago Music Choir, Praise II and New Direction. For more info: www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents
OTHER CONCERTS
PINK, Wednesday at the Rosemont Theater, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont. 312-559-1212: Let’s face it, Pink’s got all the attributes required for contemporary pop stardom. She’s got only one name. She projects a tattooed punk persona. And she talks like a rebel yet makes records that fit into formatted radio playlists as smoothly as commercials in prime time TV. While her sophomore CD, “Missundaztood,” is an earthier, more wide-ranging rock/pop/r&b effort than her teen pop-ish debut, aside from a couple catchy singles, it’s routine MTV/Top 40 fare.
TRISHA YEARWOOD, Wednesday at Ravinia, Lake Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park. 847-266-5100: If you listen to Trisha Yearwood’s most recent CD, “Inside Out,” it’s not hard to hear why the C&W singer has enjoyed such massive success over the past decade. Fiddles and pedal steel guitars frame Yearwood’s sweet, strong, Georgia-accented voice with all the rustic charm of a white picket fence around a white clapboard farmhouse, yet the singer’s liberal use of wailing rock guitars, funky grooves and sweeping strings ensures that her music meets pop and rock fans more than halfway, which is probably a little too far.
TRANS AM, Wednesday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203. The sound of Trans Am is the sound of Kraftwerk without the anti-rock bias, Devo without the high concept and the Cars without the classic hooks. If you’re thinking that leaves you with Gary Numan, you’ve got it about right. This D.C. trio’s new CD, “TA,” is a fairly kitschy, slightly adventurous yet often enjoyable study in New Wave electronica with occasionally heavy guitar riffing.
SHANA MORRISON, Saturday at FitzGerald’s and Sunday at the Abbey Pub. FitzGerald’s: 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. 708-788-2118.Abbey: 3420 W. Grace St. 773-478-4408. When you consider how many geniuses are the products of ordinary parents, it’s puzzling why we always expect the offspring of gifted parents to be similarly blessed. Although Shana Morrison’s new CD, “7 Wishes,” is packed with pleasant contemporary singer-songwriter fare that betrays the influence of her father, Van, in its soulful vocal inflections and subtle use of r&b/hip-hop elements, the music generally lacks the distinctiveness and power that make her father’s work so significant.
Also: Evan Dando, Friday at the Park West; Luka Bloom, Saturday at the Old Town School of Folk Music; Smokey Robinson, Tuesday at Ravinia; Mighty Blue Kings, Thursday at the Double Door.
