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Beirut, "Gulag Orkestar" (Ba Da Bing! Records)

Albuquerque native Zach Condon is a one-man band as evinced on the debut CD by his musical alter ego Beirut. This is Eastern European Gypsy music with a Balkan brass band as backup. Condon has a beautiful soprano and his vocals are otherworldly ("Brandenburg," an upbeat mandolin march).

His weapon of choice is the trumpet (the melancholy dirge "The Gulag Orkestar"), which is majestic and often understated throughout. Condon discovered his muse while busking around Europe, sometimes behind the former Iron Curtain, while still in his teens. And most of these songs are infused with the melodies of the Old World (the Gypsy waltz "Prenzlauerberg"; the accordion-trumpet polka roundelay "Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)"; the trumpet-driven "Bratislava" that sounds like the matador's march).

There's a certain nostalgia for mystical places: "Rhineland (Homeland)" is a homesick ode for a lost motherland, while "Postcards From Italy" is a ukelele-trumpet love song. No matter how invested with the Old Country, these are ultimately pop songs (and without a guitar within earshot!). "Scenic World" is poppy electronica with horns; the circus-like "The Bunker" confuses with multitracked vocals; while "After The Curtain" falls on the techno side. File this one under "Local Kid Does Good."

Come visit the Old Country with Zach Condon as your guide when Beirut plays the Launchpad, 618 Central Ave. S.W., at 9 p.m. Thursday. $5. Over 21 only. A Hawk And A Hacksaw, Rap, and Animal Hospital open. Call 764-8887.

Listen to "Postcards from Italy"

Bullet For My Valentine, "The Poison" (Trustkill)

On their MySpace page, these 20somethings from Bridgend, Wales, proclaim themselves to be "The New Wave of British Heavy Metal," and, after succumbing to their debut LP, they'll get no argument from me. "Intro" lulls you into complacency until "Her Voice Resides" hits you like a shock to the senses. This is hardcore metal with beaucoup tempo shifts; the growled vocals are tempered by actual singing (about a 50-50 split).

The four-piece displays tight musicianship, while utilizing a twin-guitar attack ("Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do)") that reveals definite Iron Maiden and Metallica influences (the teenage ennui of "The Poison" has a pounding beat/rhythm a la ". . . And Justice For All"), which is sometimes heavy to the point of leaden. But there's a melodic basis within the madness ("4 Words (To Choke Upon)" and the speed metal "Tears Don't Fall," which has a catchy, fingerpicking riff). In fact, all these tunes are as infectious as hell. The speed thrash of "Room 409" has a boogie rhythm peeking through the mayhem.

But all is not love and games: The group tackles suicide and its attendant consequences on "10 Years Today" and "The End." They even offer up the ubiquitous heavy-metal ballad on "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)"; and the emphatic breakup song ("Spit You Out"). Underneath it all, these guys are (lyrically) lovesick, gothic romantics.

Bullet For My Valentine is on its first headlining U.S. mini-tour, with a stop at the Sunshine Theater, 120 Central Ave. S.W., on Sunday. Bullets & Octane; Drop Dead, Gorgeous; and local outfit Someday open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12, plus service charges, at Ticketmaster outlets. Call 883-7800 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Smoking and alcohol service in segregated areas only.

Listen to "Tears Don't Fall"

NEEDTOBREATHE, "Daylight" (Lava/Atlantic Recording Corp.)

This quartet from South Carolina - fronted by brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart - delivers melodic Southern rock with majestic ambitions and four-part vocal harmonies. Their use of unusual chord progressions distinguishes their sound, but it seems as if they're aiming for radio-ready fare.

And these guys know their way around a hook, as on the rockers "Don't Wait For Daylight"; "Quit"; and "Knew It All," where they get extra points for unabashed use of hand claps (yeah!).

The distinctive lead vocals - courtesy of Bear the jock star who became a rock star - are upfront in the mix, backed by a wall of sound. The band already has a hit you might have heard on the radio: the ballad "Haley" about unrequited love. Lyrically, the songs are optimistic ("Over Now") yet lovelorn ("Haley"; "You Are Here"; and "Lost"), but these guys are MOR (middle of the road) or AC (adult contemporary) at best.

NEEDTOBREATHE has an ardent fan following known as "The Breathers," who'll converge on the Launchpad, 618 Central Ave. S.W., for an all-ages show at 7 p.m. Wednesday. $8 in advance; $10 day of show. www.virtuous.com. Call 764-8887.

Two If By Sea, "Safety" (Silverthree Sound Recordings)

On its sophomore release, this Baltimore quartet dares you to play spot the influences (Joy Division via Interpol is the most obvious as on "The Leaf Storm"; "Summer Borne For Sleep"; and "Sight To Sound"; not that that's a bad thing). This is post-punk rock to a disco beat, as the almost atonal vocals, with a faux-Brit affectation, duke it out with the angular guitar chime ("All The Reasons To Leave").

Included are Interpol meets Franz Ferdinand ("Report From Damage Control") and rather unironic the Killers from their "Hot Fuss" daze ("High Water Mark"). These guys have the courage of their musical convictions, which is all one can ask for or expect. "Million To One" is guitar-driven New Wave, while "White Zin On-Ice" offers uplifting gloom.

There is a jarring disconnect between the vocals and music (especially on "Mont Blan(k)"), yet somehow it works beautifully.

Two If By Sea makes a landing at Burt's Tiki Lounge, 313 Gold Ave. S.W., for a free show at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The Booty Green and Empty Speech Bubble open the show. Call Burt's at 247-2878.