Although new records are sure to warm the soul this winter, some of us do eventually need to leave the house
Although new records are sure to warm the soul in 2012, some of us do eventually need to leave the house. Phoenix music editor Michael Marotta and writer Liz Pelly pick four shows this winter that are worth abandoning the safe haven of home for.
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REAL ESTATE
January 15
Real Estate's latest LP for Domino Records, October's Days, was one of 2011's stand-outs, providing some of the year's simplest yet most poignant lyricism, and maintaining the band's classic meandering guitar riffs and infectious jangly melodies on hit after hit: from "It's Real" to "Out of Tune" to "Municipality." Their Boston show also features Brooklyn's the Babies, the twangy side project of Vivian Girls' Cassie Ramone; local indie-pop enthusiasts Cuffs round out the bill, making it one of the winter's more stacked line-ups. _LP
Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave, Allston | 7 pm | 18+ | $15
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TOOL
January 28
Back in the mid-'90s, Tool famously warned Southern Californians to "learn to swim," and, taking a cue from late comedian Bill Hicks, offered to meet us all down in Arizona Bay. So what better band to reassert themselves in the apocalyptic promise of 2012 than the legendary Los Angeles prog-metal leviathans? With a new record coming in the new year — their first since 2006's Grammy-winning 10,000 Days — Tool give us a preview at the Garden, as well as a look back at a very underrated catalogue of dystopian metal. _MM
TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | 8 pm | All Ages | $42.50-$72.50
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THE DARKNESS
February 3
Do you believe in a thing called reunions? After spending the past few years in new throwaway side projects like Stone Gods and Hot Leg, the beloved — or much-maligned, depending on your tolerance level for camp — UK glam-rock revivalists announced their comeback nearly a year ago. But the Darkness finally bring their spandex, ridiculousness, and relentless pomposity to our hungry, relaxed-fit-jeaned shores as the band readies their third studio album for '12. Career definer "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" came out nearly a decade ago? Good freakin' lord. _MM
Paradise Rock Club, 967 Comm Ave, Boston | 8 pm | 18+ | $25
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SHARON VAN ETTEN
February 23
In advance of the February 7 release of Tramp — Sharon van Etten's third full-length, and debut for Jagjaguwar — the critically acclaimed Brooklynite is bringing her inspired songwriting on the road with dreamy folk-rock vets Shearwater. If Tramp's first single, "Serpents," is any indication, this tour's songs — and the entire new album, which was produced by the National's Aaron Dessner — will be as emotive and introspective as ever, and likely her most expansive work to date. This is a hot ticket. _LP
Paradise Rock Club, 967 Comm Ave, Boston | 8pm | 18+ | $15
