MR. GNOME One of the finest duos currently playing, singer/guitarist Nicole Barille and drummer Sam Meister can deliver the textural delights and dynamics of Wye Oak, the epic guitar psych of Viva Voce or the punk-and-blues-based rawk-fuzz of Quasi. Hailing from the rust-belt (Cleveland) adds grit and melancholy to the duo’s attack, but there’s something grand and sweeping to Mr. Gnome, too, especially on the band’s excellent new disc, Madness in Miniature. The duo’s most striking feature may be Barille’s ability to go from whisper to full throat-le in nothing flat, and for both poles to simmer and burn with the same intensity conjured by compelling female singers like Shannon Wright and Scout Niblett. Hot stuff. With Gospel Music and Homewrecker. (John Schacht)

Price: $7