On her fourth and latest album, The Fall, singer-songwriter Norah Jones trades in those slow, sultry tunes for a little more rock, a little more funk, even ‘hot-blooded soul’, according to some reviews. In all honesty, it’s not that different from her previous records, but the new melodies show depth and a hint of Tom Waits, thanks in part to new producer Jacquire King (who’s worked with Waits, Kings of Leon and Modest Mouse). Plus, I still love how rich and soothing Jones’s voice is, be it on bluesy ballad ‘December’ or alt-rock track ‘Light As a Feather’ (co-written by Ryan Adams, and with Jones on electric guitar). Jones will likely showcase the new stuff at the Paramount Theatre on April 18; tickets ($49.50-$60) go on sale Saturday at 10am on LiveNation.com, Tickets.com, and at 877-STG-4TIX.

BUY NOW

Phoenix
Thank this French foursome for one of the best—and certainly catchiest—albums of 2009, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix—a collection of ebullient, dance-happy melodies sure to rile up Saturday’s sold-out crowd. If you just HAVE to be there, we found ONE ticket on StubHub for $95 (as of 10pm Wed), and up to six tix ($108/each) for the Portland show on Sunday.
Craigslist only had a couple offerings, ranging from $98 to $160 each. There are also tickets on something called TicketLuck.com for $352 A PIECE. That’s just disgusting. Their face value is $23! We’re not recommending you buy them, just revel in the sheer absurdity of this ripoff.

Rat City Rollergirls
The Sockit Wenches, Derby Liberation Front, Throttle Rockets and Grave Danger kick off the new roller derby season playing for their favorite charities. Tickets are on sale for this January 31 mini-tournament at KeyArena, priced $15-$33, with a newly discounted 16-and-under ticket ($8) and a “buy four, get fifth free” deal.

ON SALE JANUARY 24

Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA
Though the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) won’t go up on Marymoor Park until June, tickets go on sale this weekend (Jan 24, 10am) for the Cirque du Soleil’s traveling show Kooza. “This show…reminds you of street performance. It’s a mixture of acrobatics and clowning that is really rooted in circus and in the origins of Cirque du Soleil," says creative director Serge Roy. Translation: There will be contortionists, a trapeze artist, highwire act, “charivari” (human balancing act), and yes, the wheel of death. You excited? ’Cause we are. June 3-27, $35-$250, 800-450-1480.