SLCene Suggests: The Afghan Whigs at The Urban Lounge

THE AFGHAN WHIGS, THE URBAN LOUNGE, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 9 p.m., $25

It strikes me that one of the underplayed stories in music this year is the return of the Afghan Whigs after a lengthy hiatus. While the band was never the biggest sellers among the slew of alt-rock bands that got some taste of the mainstream post-Nirvana, they were certainly one of the most critically lauded thanks to outstanding albums like Gentlemen, Congregation and Black Love. They were the first non-Northwestern band to sign to the pioneering SubPop label, and they certainly stood out from the ’90s-rock crowd thanks to their predilection toward soul and R&B, and singer Greg Dulli boasted one of the more distinctive croons/howls on the (alternative) radio and MTV. Earlier this year, the band released its first new music in 16 years, once again on SubPop Records, and Do The Beast measures up to any of the band’s previous albums. After seeing them play most of it live at the Bumbershoot music festival in September, I’d even say it exceeds a lot of the old catalog. Dulli’s voice is in fine form, the expanded lineup locked in tight. This will be one of the best shows of the fall, guaranteed. Joseph Arthur opens the show.