For Your Ears

The Killers, Cake, Bad Religion, Minus the Bear
Isleta Amphitheater
Sunday, May 5, 1 p.m.
$29 and up, all ages

The Killers headline this year’s EdgeFest, a haven for arguably washed-up bands. Brandon Flowers will sing last decade’s hits through his overly thin moustache — unless he’s cut it off recently. But Cake, Bad Religion and Minus the Bear offer some retro-current tunes for young ears.

For Your Consideration: Minus the Bear’s “Hooray” features lyrics about growing up, snow and war: quintessential American, fuzzy themes. It’s pop-y but somehow nostalgic at the same time.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Sunshine Theater
Tuesday, May 7, 8 p.m.
$25, 13

If you want to be surrounded by pseudo-hipsters for a few hours, then this show is for you. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are part of the folk-hipster revival that has garnered fans from all walks of life. Maybe you’ll even get to cop a feel of frontman Alex Ebert’s signature red, flowing scarf.

For Your Consideration: “Home” is probably the cutest song written in this decade, and it skyrocketed the band to fame. But for a change of pace, check out “Man on Fire,” in which Ebert tells you to dance with him — over and over again. The music video is also worth checking out, as dancers jump around a community center in Long Island to throbbing, folksy beats.

Built to Spill, Junior Rocket Scientist
Launchpad
Thursday, May 9, 9:30 p.m.
$20, 21

Idaho-based indie darling Built to Spill combines creative lyrics with a slightly whiney-sounding aesthetic. Founder Doug Martsch changes up the band frequently, but it still maintains a consistent sound.

For Your Consideration: “Car” is a creative take on the classic road trip rock song, as Martsch sings, “I wanna see it when you get stoned on a cloudy, breezy desert afternoon.” Sounds like he’ll feel right at home in Albuquerque.

Brown Bird, Last Good Tooth
Low Spirits
Tuesday, May 14, 9 p.m.
$12, 21

Composed of musicians David Lamb and MorganEve Swain, Brown Bird is one of the most musical folk/roots bands I have ever listened to. Soaring violin solos combine with simple foot-tapping for the drum lines, creating a haunting atmosphere with hints of traditional music, but the music transcends its roots.

For Your Consideration: “Fingers to the Bone” features a twangy banjo line and Americana-themed lyrics that aren’t just about drinking whiskey. Swain’s vocal harmonies add a delightful twist.

Seahaven
The Gasworks
Monday, May 23

Seahaven is one of those indistinct, average bands with normal-sounding lyrics that add nothing new to music as a genre. The group calls its music blues, but it’s more like romantic, atmospheric rock. Creative flashes can be found, but overall it just comes off as average.

For Your Consideration: “It’s Over” is a pleasant little ditty, not too sentimental but still about love.

Dropkick Murphys, Old Man Markley, The Mahones
Sunshine Theater
Thursday, May 30, 8 p.m.
$25, 13

In wake of the Boston bombings, the Dropkick Murphys released a “For Boston” T-shirt, which raised over $150,000 by April 21. So yeah, it took off. If you want to wear your new, fancy T-shirt to see them, you’re in luck. The band plays their Irish roots to the maximum, and though I’m not a huge fan of bagpipes in rock music, to each their own.

For Your Consideration: “Walk Away” features pounding guitars and the signature Murphy sound, as Ken Casey sings/yells about marriage gone wrong.