29

MONDAY

“We’re stronger than the fairy tales, diaper pails, lack of heat, urge to cheat/Shattered hopes, tired jokes, doctor bills, urge to kill,” avows Amy Rigby in Diary of a Mod Housewife’s closing confessional, “We’re Stronger Than That.” But since the release of the album and Rigby’s separation from her husband (former dB’s drummer Will Rigby), it’s not clear that she has convinced herself. Alternately melancholy and angry, wise and naive, Rigby applies austere yet pretty vocals and twangy guitar to her tales of love, motherhood, dead-end office jobs, and slacker bohemia. Not a total downer, like Richard and Linda Thompson’s Shoot Out the Lights, Diary features Rigby and her accompanying Hoboken, N.J., musicians skillfully conveying her passions as well as her struggles with their muscular renditions of her uplifting country, neo-folk, and Buddy Holly-inspired melodies. At 9 p.m. at Iota, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. FREE. (703) 522-8340. (Steve Kiviat)