The band certainly has seen and done a lot in two years. The work of drummer Nathan and bassist Jared is mixed to the forefront, while the licks of lead guitarist Matthew are all over the map. While Calebs already trademark slurred vocals (song becomes saaawwng) are bound to frustrate those who try to decipher the lyrics, they are utterly unique, a sort of singing in tongues.

In interviews, the Kings talk about how they hope each record advances on the last and how they want to create distinctive periods la the Rolling Stones. Though some of the slower material drags things down slightly, Aha certainly achieves that. Come to think of it, that template also worked for another little act called U2, who hand-picked the Kings to open the spring leg of their highly anticipated U.S. tour, which begins only a couple of weeks after this date. Hopefully, the boys wont be swayed by the incessant preaching of that bands messianic leader. Bob Ruggiero

Tuesday, March 15, at the Meridian, 1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717.

The Duhks

Like a sequel to Hitchcocks The Birds, suddenly the Duhks are everywhere. NPR, The Washington Post, No Depression mag, KPFTs World Cafe...It seems the media cant get enough of these five Winnepegians. Twentysomethings with oodles of music schooling, the Duhks play roots music, twisting it up with nods to other genres.

The band recently was signed by Sugar Hill Records, so comparisons to the labels flagship act Nickel Creek immediately spring to mind, but the song Mists of Down Below reminds us of another Sugar Hill act namely, the brainy Northeast roots-jam band Railroad Earth. Produced by Bela Fleck and Gary Paczosa, the self-titled album might be a little too clean and often proceeds at a measured, restrained pace, although occasionally the pickers loosen their grip on the reins with jammy instrumentals like Genes Machine. I suspect their live shows have more verve than their recording.

While the band anchors itself in old-timey music (most of the cuts are new arrangements of traditionals), it has a distinct New Age aura. Lead singer Jessica Havey (theres never an article that doesnt prominently mention her prominent tattoos, so there!) has a smooth, bluesy, quite dramatic voice that on the surface wouldnt seem to mate well with the Duhks Celtic and Appalachian musical explorations. But its exactly this dissonance that makes the package work on tracks like Four Blue Walls or Death Came A Knockin, whose Latin drumming and percussive banjo sound like Odetta in a session with Arthur Fielders Delta blues symphonic minions. Ringer guests like Fleck, Irish songwriting legend Paul Brady, and top-of-the-line bassists Victor Wooten and Edgar Meyer add priceless embellishments. William Michael Smith

Wednesday, March 16, at McGonigels Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk, 713-528-5999.

Hot Hot Heat with Louis XIV

A major-label band touring an album before its released? And its not due to packaging technologies la Spinal Tap? Can it be? Crazy as it sounds, Hot Hot Heat has decided to tour the States for the month before the release of their major-label debut, Elevators. It could all be a ploy to maintain indie cred in the face of Sire Records big bucks, but odds are its just to warm up new guitarist Luke Paquin. While theyve officially offered only a few clues to the new full-length (the single Goodnight, Goodnight and some studio video clips on their Web site), it would seem the band has kept on with its garage/new-wave stylings. So those who want to know what the new album is gonna sound like better get to the show.

Tagging along on this rock and roll revival are San Diegos own rock and roll revivalists, Louis XIV. These new pretenders to the throne dont take much thought; theyre in it for the rock and roll. They walk the line of classic garage rockers and able balladeers without too much difficulty. For a new band, theyve certainly got the formula, right down to the heavy use of naked females in their cover art. All in all, the bands are a good match, so muss up your hair and get ready. Chris True

Wednesday, March 16, at the Engine Room, 1515 Pease, 713-654-7846.