Thurs, July 30, Blue Skies for Black Hearts

If you can get past the band’s emotastic name, Blue Skies for Black Hearts makes music that’s introspective, jaded and sad. OK, so maybe it is a wee bit emo but, really, that description doesn’t do justice to singer-songwriter Pat Kearns’ songs, which couple a ’60s pysch-pop sensibility with novel-worthy narratives. The Portland band’s latest album, Serenades and Hand Grenades, adds horns and strings to the band’s repertoire, giving a sophisticated polish to such tracks as “Jenny and Steve” and the “Pet Sounds”-esque, wryly optimistic “Someday There Will Be Better Days.” See, would an emo band be so hopeful? 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, www.myspace.com/blueskiesforblackhearts.