3 Days in the City

NINE INCH NAILS

He's been around for two decades, but it can be argued that Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor's popularity may be higher today that at any time in recent memory.

Evidence of that could be the success of their two most recent releases. Instrumental releases, especially those featuring the band's trademark grinding industrial and alternative rock tunes, usually aren't commercial blockbusters. But Nine Inch Nails 36-track opus Ghosts I-IV, issued in multiple formats that allowed fans to choose their purchase preference from $5 to a $300 Deluxe edition, proved an instant hit.

The so-called "Ultra Deluxe" package actually sold out of its 2,500 initial pressing in three days, earning Reznor a tidy $750,000.

The more standard release, The Slip, has exceeded the 1.4 million mark in downloads since coming out early this spring.

Reznor's been the lone consistent presence in Nine Inch Nails since the beginning, and despite never trying to pen radio tunes and constantly raging about a host of injustices both personal and professional, he's never alienated any of his loyal audience in the process. They come to the Sommet Center tonight (8 p.m., 501 Broadway, $47, 770-2000).

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS / THE HOLD STEADY

The Drive-By Truckers are an institution in several musical circles. Their live performances include enough improvisation and open-ended pieces to hook the jam band crew, while there's also appeal for southern boogie and blues lovers, and their recent support for veteran R&B types like Betty LaVette has opened some eyes within the soul world.

Their new CD Brighter Than Creation's Dark may expand things even more. For one, they are back to doing more personal, probing narrative pieces, numbers where lyric interpretation takes center stage rather than musical bravado. Some of that may be due to the defection of Jason Isbell, a mainstay as a songwriter and band participant since 2002.

Still, Patterson Hood's influence and presence help keep the group's sound centered and focused. They are part of a first-rate tripleheader tonight at the Ryman Auditorium (8 p.m., 116 Fifth Ave. N., $21.50 and $25.50, 889-3060).

The second group on the bill, The Hold Steady is being touted in some critical circles as America's finest contemporary rock band, and the 21st century heir to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. That is at best a debatable statement, but what's not in question is their current prominence.

Even before they issued Stay Positive, their fourth album in the last five years, they had been touted as proponents of the simple, driving rock saga and also prime storytellers. Their songs do often have very attractive and thematically interesting material, but personally it's the tight, simple but also clever arrangements and tunes that make them stand out.

They use repetition effectively, limit the amount of instrumental excess, provide most tunes with equally striking melodies and rhythms, and never (at least yet) seem contrived or artificial.

Craig Finn isn't Bruce Springsteen, but he's demonstrated some attractive capabilities as a bandleader and performer. Tad Kulber's also a restrained, yet gifted guitarist and one of the better instrumentalists operating in this style.

The third act, Bobby Bare Jr., also has a long track record of making quirky, daring records that blur categories and offer a highly personal musical and world view.

LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS

J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers isn't an old-time traveling blues troubadour or a one-man band singing on the street for money, but he has some similar attributes.

Like a Mance Lipscomb or Dr. Ross, Wilkes takes the blues and incorporates it into a performing mode all his own. He's integrating bits of punk, rockabilly, bluegrass and rock into the mix, and the Legendary Shack Shakers can zip in and out of those styles with ease.

They also have spent some time probing such bygone institutions as medicine shows and tent revivals, as well as more recent gospel and country music. The recent addition of guitarist Duane Denison and drummer Brett Whitacre have added some fresh sounds to their approach. Tonight's performance is at the Exit/In (9 p.m., 2208 Elliston Place, $15, 321-3340).

LEON RUSSELL

He's played blues, rock and country, worked with numerous legendary figures as a producer and ensemble member and had his fair share of memorable releases as a bandleader. You could trace the evolution of many American music forms since the latter part of the 20th century through Leon Russell, and there aren't many people who could produce and write songs for Freddie King in one era, then do rollicking country and rockabilly in another.

Russell long ago moved beyond the point when he needed to concern himself with such things as radio airplay, hit discs or any of the other trappings of the music business. He also tours and performs when and where he pleases, which makes any of his appearances prime events. He will be appearing Saturday night at 3rd and Lindsley (8 p.m, 818 Third Ave. S., $30, 259-9891).

SONYA KITCHELL

Singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell has made inroads not only in the folk and Americana sphere, but also within the jazz world. She's recently been touring with Herbie Hancock, and her recent release The Storm contains as much improvisational touches as folk elements or rock influence.

Her compositions also reflect multiple idioms in their structure and tone, though Kitchell's sensibility seems more attuned to the pre-rock and show tune style in terms of phrasing and delivery than the less disciplined, frenetic rock approach. Kitchell appears Sunday night at 3rd and Lindsley (8 p.m., 818 Third Ave. S., $10, 259-9891).

JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD

Although not yet 20, plenty of critics and music lovers alike already know about Jessica Lea Mayfield. A couple of years ago, her debut EP White Lies (which came out under the name Chitlin') sounded so forlorn, heartfelt and traditional that it seemed a new honky-tonk queen was on the horizon.

She's moved more to the middle and the pop side with her current release With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, thanks in part to the production assistance of Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys. Auerbach has added more layers, put some soulful harmonies and support behind her voice, but not eroded any of Mayfield's country-soul ardor and passion.

Mayfield will be appearing Saturday night at The Basement (8 p.m., 1604 Eighth Ave. S., 254-8006) along with Old Ceremony and An Horse.