Anna Cheek CD-Release Party

Artie’s River Street Stage, THURSDAY

Woodstock-based Anna Cheek will celebrate the release of her new album, LIVE at Mast Cove, at Artie’s tonight. Mast Cove Galleries, in Kennebunkport, Maine (where Cheek spent time during her college days), is the venue where she recorded a show in November. A classically trained pianist, Cheek says that she is influenced by sadness. Her voice has been compared to Tori Amos and Norah Jones, and her lyrics are so personal that listening to her has been compared to listening to a longtime friend talking. The Woodstock Times says of Cheek’s voice: “The effect of her delivery creates a voice with deeper and more interesting elements of beauty than most of the pretty vocals we are used to in contemporary popular music.” Kyle Esposito, Manuel Quintana and Bob Resnick will accompany her for tonight’s show. Jim Weider, who released his new CD Percolator at the beginning of February, and Kim Buckley will open. (March 24, 8 PM, $5, 194 River St., Troy, 687-0064)

Vanessa Carlton, Cary Brothers

Northern Lights, monday

Even the most pharmaceutical-ly retarded viewer has probably caught this Time Warner Cable spot by now, whether they like it or not: One-hit wonder (until she can prove otherwise) Vanessa Carlton drops mad blasphemy from the bench of her grand piano, hammering away at the Stones’ “Time Is on My Side” like some American Idol also-ran. (It’s hard to miss, as it airs about every 3.5 seconds.) Regardless of how you feel about this bit of, um, filmmaking (prior to her protestations, we tend to think time is most definitely not on her side—how else to explain the near-universal apathy to the release of her second album, Harmonium?), the “A Thousand Miles” chanteuse will bring her current tour to Northern Lights this week. Opening the show: Cary Brothers, whose Coldplay-biting “Blue Eyes” was among the standouts on last year’s Garden State soundtrack. (March 28, 7 PM, $20, 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-0012)

Ticonderoga

Fuze Box, Monday

Ticonderoga—no longer just some fort in New York! While they cannot provide costumed tour guides or musket demonstrations, or show you how to be an 18th-century blacksmith, they do play music. As far as we know, their style is totally uninspired by the French and Indian war. The trio hail from Raleigh, N.C., and recently signed with Fifty-Four Forty or Fight to cut their self-titled album. Their Web site has a bunch of free music to check out, automatically making them cooler than some of those other greedy bands we won’t name. “Urrgghhh free music bad!” Yeah, you know who. Storm the fort! Catch them at the Fuze Box. (March 28, 8 PM, $5, 12 Central Ave., Albany, 432-4472)

Throw Rag, the Erotics

Valentine’s, Tuesday

We here at Metroland have combed the seven seas in search of the world’s best sailor-rock band. While we found only one, it’s safe to say that they qualify for premier status. But while they do the whole costume thing, this is no joke. The California-based quintet recently completed their latest album, 13 Ft. and Rising, with Motorhead producer Cameron Webb (it hits stores in June), and Tuesday night’s appearance at Valentine’s just so happens to be a night off from their opening stint for the mighty popular Queens of the Stone Age. Not so bad for a bunch of so-called seafaring scallywags. On hand to give Throw Rag a run for their dubloons: local glam-metal throwbacks the Erotics, who will unveil a new rhythm section (Jamie Rice on bass, Johnny Riott on drums). Blasé Debris and Murderer’s Row will open. (March 29, 7 PM, $6, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

Bear vs. Shark, Gatsby’s American Dream

Saratoga Winners, Tuesday

Need some emotional cleansing? Ferndale, Mich., band Bear vs. Shark say that they aim to provide that, and catharsis (ok, so they’re a little redundant) and inspiration with their music. The group, whose five members claim to be lifelong friends, signed with Equal Vision Records a couple years back, and recorded their debut, Right Now You’re in the Right Hands, in February 2003 at Big Blue Meenie Studios. Inspired by bands spanning genres—everyone from Led Zeppelin to the Commodores—BVS are said to put on quite unique live shows, which often leave them tattered and torn, literally. They have been known to play with broken teeth and bloody noses. We’ll only speculate on what goes on during their set. But word to the wise: Bring armor. Gatsby’s American Dream, Circa Survive and Matador will open the show. (March 29, 7:30 PM, $10, 1375 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-1010)

Twinemen

Club Helsinki, Wednesday

The tragic death of Morphine front man Mark Sandman led to the abrupt end of one of the ’90s’ most original alternative acts. The two remaining members—drummer Billy Conway and saxophonist Dana Colley—went on to create the tribute-heavy Orchestra Morphine, during which they met singer Laurie Sargent, formerly of Face to Face. The three decided to start making music together, and Twinemen were born. Combining the signature Morphine aesthetic (Colley still has his sax, after all) with well-crafted songwriting and the presence of an actual guitar, Twinemen have quickly evolved into one of Boston’s most promising bands. Currently touring in support of their second album, Sideshow, they’re both picking up where Morphine left off and moving forward. (March 30, 8:30 PM, $15, 284 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., )

photocap:THROW RAG

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