Arts DEVO

The sound of Chico rocking You grow a bunch of local bands and this is what you reap, Chico. Enjoy the ripe fruit that your local music scene has made just in time for your summer soundtrack.

West by Swan – Drought: Like the election of a U.S. president, the World Cup and the Olympics, every four years brings a new album from Chico’s kings of noisy rock. Discussion of the music of the four-piece (full disclosure: featuring four of Arts DEVO’s best dudes) usually focuses, justifiably so, on their sprawling guitar-centric soundscapes and propensity for operating at high volumes. But WBS have always balanced their experiments with a variety of sonic treats, and there are some delicious bits on this album: ear-worm melodies (especially with the vocals on the incredible, dynamic “Lion” and the sing-along chorus of “Go”); surprise instruments (trumpet, slide guitar, Rhodes piano); and the usual crafty guitar interplay (“Killing Fee,” “Yeoman’s Dilemma”). And of course, there are many Godzilla-sized sonic freakouts as well, and right now the loopy, muscular last minute or so of “Who are You” is inducing the most goosebumps. CD-release party Friday, June 6, at 1078 Gallery.

Michael Bone – They’ll Keep: Vol. 1: As he says on his Bandcamp page, this is the Bogg drummer/Pageant Dads singer-guitarist’s “first volume of songs, written about and for my friends.” Two of his buddies—Brandon Hilty on drums and Bogg’s Josh Hegg on keys—joined him on the recording and the result is a gorgeous collection of spare, warm and loungey songs. Visit www.michaelbone.bandcamp.com/album/theyll-keep-v1 and buy all eight for a buck (or more).

Americas – Hard Data: After more than 13 years of playing schizoid melodic math punk-rock, drummer Casey Deitz and guitarist-vocalist Travis Wuerthner are as ADD as ever on this always-looping, often-danceable 47-minute exercise in shifting dynamics. Pick of the moment: the power-packed “Kid Cops.” Cassette-release party tonight, May 29, 8 p.m., at Monstros Pizza. Go to www.soundcloud.com/amrcs to stream it.

Teeph – Solid Jobs: Bowel-rattling math-metal for shaking fists in the air and melting faces. Release party tonight, May 29, 8 p.m., at Monstros, and visit www.teeph.bandcamp.com to download.

Western Divide – Come Lay Your Head: The combined vocals of Sean Harrasser (Envelope Peasant), Evin Wolverton and Janae Lloyd (Sad Bastards) make this a bigger recording than might be expected from an acoustic five-piece. The four-song EP is a soaring example of the group’s unique sort of Americana/chamber-pop. Sticking in my head: the nearly seven-minute-long closer, a typically epic Harrasser sing-a-long hymn: “I don’t need words, and I don’t need advice/ I don’t need a lot of shit I can’t use/ I just need you to hold me till I fall asleep/ Till the morning finds me peaceful with you.” Go to www.western-divide.com and download for free.

The Rugs – Make Yourself at Home: Vocalist Jeremy Gerrard’s Dylanesque rasp is an acquired taste, but his light and pretty mid-tempo melodies are a great complement, as are the co-lead vocals of Katrina Rodriguez and four-part harmonies with his cohorts on this incredibly warm recording (engineered by Matt Franklin). These lines from “C’est La Vie”—“The sunlight says it’s time/ Float out on an inner tube with inexpensive wine”—sum up the band’s vibe nicely. Visit www.therugsband.bandcamp.com to purchase ($10).

And not yet online, but on the immediate horizon, is the debut recording of Heather Michelle & The Make Your Mines (CD-release: June 6 at the Maltese Bar & Tap Room).