Briefly, I made it back from Lincoln Saturday night just in time to catch the Big Al CD release show at Saddle Creek Bar. Frankly, I wasn't expecting much, but ended up having a good time. Al and his bass-player sidekick Metal Barbie, played somewhat simplistic heavy metal songs over a pre-recorded rhythm track. Actually, "simplistic" really applies to the lyrics, which in the case of songs like "It's War, You Die," consisted of Al yelling the same phrase over and over. Then there was "Oregano," a spoken-word rocker about Big Al's run-in with undercover cops selling, you guessed it, Oregano. It would be easy to simply discount it all if the music wasn't so fun, and if Al wasn't sincere in what he was doing. Plus, his guitar riffs were seriously righteous. I still haven't listened to the CD that was given to everyone in the crowd (which was sizable for Saddle Creek -- at least 60?), but I have a feeling it's going to be just as fun. And what's so bad about having fun once in a while?

Tonight at Slowdown Jr., it's Baltimore-based 4AD band Celebration with Kill Me Tomorrow and Dim Light. $8, 9 p.m. Meanwhile, singer songwriters Kyle Harvey and Reagan Roeder are playing a set at The Barley St (and it's free). Starts at 8.

--Got comments? Post 'em here.--