If youย’d like an opinion on This Will Destroy You, just ask the Pentagon. According to a blog post on the San Marcos quartetย’s MySpace page, two This Will Destroy You tunes provided the sound track for a presentation by the Pentagon on disaster preparedness. Apparently some fed preferred the groupย’s ambient, Explosions in the Sky vibe to some tear-jerking Top 40 ballad when it came to evoking sympathy and urgency. (Well, there goes the bandย’s under-the-radar status.) TWDY has quickly come a long way and did it without claiming to be from Austin, unlike most bands from San Marcos. You can see what all the fuss is about today when the group brings its meditative instrumentals to town.

This Will Destroy You is currently on tour with the ever-popular, visually accompanied instrumental group Unwed Sailor. That groupย’s latest album (slated for release on January 8) was recorded by John Congleton, whoย’s known for his work with Explosions in the Sky, Modest Mouse and R. Kelly. These two gems are impressive up-and-comers in their respective genres, so whether youย’re a fan of all things ambient, progressive or both, youย’ll want to catch at least one of these shows, although we suggest both. 8 p.m. Walterย’s, 4215 Washington Avenue. For information, call 713-862-2513 or visit www.4215washington.com.

Tue., Dec. 18, 8 p.m., 2007