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APRIL 30
The most compelling bands find ways to marry the shiny-faced, inexperienced bride of technology with the grubby, seen-it-all groom of rock ‘n’ roll. When the wedding’s a shotgun hitchin’, everyone suffers—or goes on stadium tours (Wuzzup U2!). But when the coupling is a consummation of true love, there’s enough bliss to outlast even the Pop tour. The Boo Radleys started work on their tech-rock marriage on 1993’s Giant Steps, continued with 1995’s Wake-Up!, and have practically perfected it on the new C’ Mon Kids. And it’s not just technology that the English quartet has fallen for, but the whole history of modern popular music. Snapshots of the Byrds and Tricky, Pink Floyd and My Bloody Valentine, Human League and Dinosaur Jr. would appear in the Boo Radleys’ musical yearbook. This combination of disparate sounds is compiled by lead headcase Martin Carr, an insecure, culture-lovin’ genius who can cut-and-paste his back issues of Star Hits into an unrivaled sonic collage. A small bevy of bands strives to share the Boos’ stratosphere, including Mercury Rev and Spiritualized, but the Boos are breathing a different air altogether. With Gigolo Aunts and Fuel at 7:30 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $8. (202) 393-0930. (Christopher Porter)