Vandermark makes another mark

FRIDAY

Portastatic, at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. $10. 773-276-3600. As Superchunk remains on indefinite hiatus, Mac McCaughan is focusing his attention on Portastatic, with whom he’s turned out insightfully sharp music for 13 years. Flowing with one contagious hook after another, the trio’s “Bright Ideas” (Merge) doesn’t disappoint. Occasionally climbing to helium highs, McCaughan’s vocals anchor power-pop anthems, jangle-rock shuffles, tropicalia ballads and country-etched strummers, each song offering melodic surprises and buzzing with feel-good energy reminiscent of mid-period Guided By Voices. (Safe Bet)

SATURDAY

The Rolling Stones, at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. Sold out. 312-235-7000. “And it won’t take long to forget you,” Mick Jagger proclaims on “A Bigger Bang” (Virgin), the lyric unintentionally serving as an apt description not of an individual but the Rolling Stones’ first studio album in eight years. Despite promises of a return to their old swagger, the overlong effort is gridlocked by the same one-and-out scraps the British legends have tossed off since the mid-’80s. Thanks to Ronnie Wood’s resurgence as a complementary guitarist, the ageless wonders still deliver the stadium a-go-go better than anyone, though recent setlists indicate they’re taking fewer chances than ever, disappointing given that the Stones own what’s arguably the finest back catalog in rock. (Safe Bet)

SUNDAY

Fruit Bats, at Empty Bottle. $10-$12. 773-276-3600. Upon hearing the gentle, moody folk-rock of the first two Fruit Bats albums, who would have thought that leader Eric Johnson was secretly in love with wide-eyed, sparkling ’70s pop? The ex-Chicagoan says he originally aimed to make a downcast record but something unexpected occurred–his life improved. The shift is heard throughout the sun-drenched “Spelled In Bones” (Sub Pop), which is saddled with big, spotless production that diminishes the group’s idiosyncrasies. (Think Twice)

MONDAY

Obituary, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. $20-$23.50. 773-549-0203. Go to any metal concert and you’re almost guaranteed to spot someone wearing an Obituary T-shirt. Such was the death-metal quintet’s enormous influence. The Floridians break an eight-year absence with the solid “Frozen In Time” (Roadrunner) which, as the title infers, sounds like 1990 all over again. Here, the retro approach simply translates into a resurrection of the stone-cutting riffs, stomping dirges and tempo variations prized by its fans. (Safe Bet)

TUESDAY

Neva Dinova, at Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. $10-$12. 773-478-4408. Omaha’s Neva Dinova makes depression, loneliness and heartbreak full-time occupations on “The Hate Yourself Change” (Sidecho). Tired, disgusted, defeated and sick of even himself, Jake Bellows sings as if he couldn’t care less what happens. (Safe Bet)

WEDNESDAY

Free Music Ensemble, at Empty Bottle. $7. 773-276-3600. Of all of Ken Vandermark’s groups, Free Music Ensemble may best reflect his spirit. The reedist honks and squeaks with his customary litheness, but FME’s original compositions–informed by punk’s skeletal rawness, rock’s propulsive drive and the avant-garde’s vertical architecture–contain a gaggle of intermittent detours, calm crevices and snaking angles that force the musicians to give one another extra breathing space and refrain from blow-your-brains-out assaults. This is a record-release party for the band’s brand-new “Cuts” (Okkadisk). (Don’t Miss It)

THURSDAY

Brendan Benson, at Metro. $15. 773-549-0203. While no slouch when it comes to touring, if not for the support of his well-known friend Jack White, it’s doubtful Brendan Benson would receive so much attention. (Think Twice)