When your arrangements are razor-sharp, your moods mercurial and psychedelic, and your melodies constantly off-kilter, you’re probably a Dutch band like Certain Animals.

Hissing steam and spitting fire, the Old 97s chew up the rails and cross-ties by playing country music with a punk attitude.

Steven Garnett takes a closer look at one of many earth-shaking moments in a long career.

Peoria’s power-pop purveyors teleport coast-to-coast on extensive U.S. “Invasion” tour.

Lonerism (Modular Fontana). Review by Jason O’Neal Griggs.

Circa Survive and Dredg put on a pair of performances at Orlando’s House of Blues that should officially release them from their previous emo trappings. Jen Cray reports.

A three-ring psychedelic circus took place at the House of Blues, with Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips as the ringmaster. Jeff Schweers watched it all from the rafters.

For its fourth year the Pitchfork Music Festival proves to Chris Catania, and about 20,000 fans, that it can deliver the goods as well as the big guys.

Call me a dork if you must, but I can’t wait to ogle Wayne Coyne’s backyard space ship and get infected with the alien spirit of Christmas. Carl F Gauze considers Christmas on Mars required watching for the 12-sided dice crowd.

Mustard Pickle Gun. Review by Jen Cray.

Granddance (Dangerbird). Review by Jen Cray.

Never ones to be pinned down to the standard drum-guitar-bass format, the Flaming Lips brought their eccentric sonic and visual baggage to the House Of Blues. Mary Petralia takes inventory.

Some Loud Thunder (Self-Released). Review by Jen Cray.

Bamnan and Slivercork (Bella Union). Review by Andrew Ellis.

Fizzle Like A Flood (Ernest Jenning). Review by Stein Haukland.

Let’s Get Ready to Crumble (Upper Class). Review by Stein Haukland.

Yoko (Velocette). Review by Stein Haukland.

Up In Flames (Domino). Review by Stein Haukland.

Things have neva been better for Neva Dinova, who are currently on tour with Cursive. Stein Haukland chats with the not-on-Saddle-Creek boys from Omaha.

Finally the Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid (Restless). Review by Matt Cibula.