Music

What: Miike Snow

When: 7:30 p.m.,Tuesday

Where: First Avenue, Mainroom, 701 N. First Ave., Minneapolis

Cost: $30

Age: 18+

Miike Snow is a group, not an individual. The three piece act is confusing, intriguing and self-admittedly hard to explain.

“I don’t know if I would describe [our music],” frontman Andrew Wyatt said. “I think it’s tough to describe in words — I’ll leave it to the journalists to describe the music.”

Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Album: “The Heist”

Label: Macklemore

After years of stinted releases, Seattle-based Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are releasing their first LP “The Heist” on Oct. 9, and it’s a fine package.

What: The van Gobots’ “Free Smells” EP Release Show

When: 9 p.m., Saturday

Where: Cause Spirits and Soundbar, 3001 S. Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis

Cost: $5

Age: 21+

The van Gobots’ panache for clever titles yields some quirky results. Whether it’s their “Futurama” inspired band name or 2009 album “Guantanamo Beach Party,” the local rockers tend to ladle everything with a smirk.

What: Chick Corea and Gary Burton

When: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows, Wednesdayand Thursday

Where: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis

Cost: $50-$80

Legendary pianist Chick Corea and vibraphone virtuoso Gary Burton have been collaborating for 40 years now, but they show no signs of slowing down as they swing through the Dakota for four shows this week.

Rhymesayers emcee Brother Ali doesn’t dance around his distaste for our society’s use of violence in his newly released album, “Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color.”

In standard Brother Ali fashion, the new album makes a political statement by drawing attention to the money-hungry and murder-obsessed.

The title track “Mourning in America” hits hard and fast and is accompanied by a video packed with images of weapons and death.