Eric in Outerspace at O’Leaver’s, Aug. 31, 2016. The band plays O’Leaver’s Sunday Social this weekend.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I’ve never been a big Wilco fan, though they do have a few songs I love, like “Either Way” off 2007’s Sky Blue Sky. But for the most part, Wilco’s music unravels into noodling jam-band territory too often for my liking. Whenever I listen to one of their records I always wonder how it would sound had they remained focused on the songs rather than trying so hard to sound different — i.e,, why can’t they be more like Fruit Bats.

The new Fruit Bats album, Absolute Loser (2016, Easy Sound) sounds like the Wilco album Wilco never made — a 10-song collect that leans closer to indie rock than alt country, though there’s a hint of twang throughout. The Chicago band has been putting out indie folk-rock albums since the early ’00s, mostly on Sub Pop. Frontman Eric D. Johnson cites ’70s AM radio as an influence, and if you try real hard, you might hear it, though I think the only transistor residue comes in the form of solid song-writing with strong melodies — something that all too often is missing from modern indie music.

Anyway, Fruit Bats headline tonight at Reverb Lounge. Opening is Lincoln band Walk By Sea. $17, 9 p.m.

For me, the above show caps off a strong week’s worth of indie shows in Omaha, but highlights a pretty sparse weekend of music. Benson has Benson First Friday tonight (swing by The Little Gallery,  5901 Maple Street, tonight to check out Flock; we’re open ’til 9).

Fabulous O’Leaver’s has Briner tonight with The Clocks and The Cosmic Smiths. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Tomorrow night (Saturday) The Brothers Lounge is hosting Swamp Walk with Leafblower and High Ruler. $5, 9 p.m.

Also tomorrow night, Milk Run has Cedar Rapids band Hunter Dumped Us Here, Switchblade Saturdays, Gallivant and Liar Wire. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, back at O’Leaver’s Saturday night it’s Philly indie punk band Mumbler, Tulsa’s Lizard Police and No Getter. $7, 9 p.m.

The weekend concludes with the Sunday Social at O’Leaver’s, this week featuring Lodgings, Eric in Outerspace and Green Trees. Early 4 p.m. start time. $5.

That’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments area. Have a great weekend.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.