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Devendra Banhart, "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" (XL Recordings)

As evinced from recent pictures, this freak folkie has gone even further off the deep end, which isn't to say his fifth full length isn't without its sonic pleasures. In many instances, it's his most accessible release to date.

Recording at his home in Topanga Canyon, Calif., Banhart sings in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, what sounds like gibberish, often in the same song. This is a multiculti travelogue, a world music smorgasbord. Having recorded with his touring band adds a cohesiveness, tightness and completeness to the proceedings.

Highlights include opener "Cristobal," a Latin ballad that's an interlude for what's to come. "Samba Vexillographica" is a shot of tropicalia, while "Seahorse" is an expansive, almost jam-band rocker that's piano-driven with horns.

Then things get interesting with "Shabop Shalom," a doo-wop Jewish love song, and "Bad Girls," a yearning lovesick ballad. "Tonada Yanomaminista" becomes singalong rock, while on "Saved," Banhart goes all blues hymnal on his bad self.

There's a delicate vulnerability on display throughout that almost verges on religious fervor.

Banhart plays the Sunshine Theater, 120 Central Ave. S.W. Hecuba opens the all-ages show at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $20, plus service charges, at Ticketmaster outlets. Call 883-7800 or go to Ticketmaster.

The Receiving End of Sirens, "The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi" (Triple Crown Records/East West)

On the follow-up to the band's 2005 debut "Between the Heart and the Synapse," this Boston five-piece has crafted a concept album with extraordinary lyrical depth. These are universal narratives, literally, as they take the point of view of humans, animals ("Smoke and Mirrors") and planets.

The title and concept come from 16th-century astronomer Johannes Kepler, who theorized the tonality of the solar system, with Venus as the major 6th note and Earth the minor 6th note; thus, the Mi-Fa-Mi scale.

This is emo/prog rock sans the screamo. The two singers lay down multilayered vocal parts, as well as call-and-response and exquisite harmonies. A dual-guitar attack sets the mood.

"Swallow People Whole" - "I fell in love with an empty place" - is hushed yet powerful rock with electronic elements, as is "A Realization of the Ear." "Oubliette (Disappear)" is a disconcerting rocker, while "The Crop and the Pest" has an urgency that builds and builds to a crescendo.

The Receiving End Of Sirens is part of the bill for an all-ages show 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sunshine Theater that includes Set Your Goals and New Found Glory. Tickets are $20, plus service charges, at Ticketmaster outlets. Call 883-7800 or go to Ticketmaster.

The headliners are New Jersey emo punks Senses Fail, who are promoting "Still Searching." Vagrant Records is releasing a "deluxe edition" of the disc Nov. 13 that includes two new songs, three B-sides and a cover of the Cranberries "Salvation." A concert/behind-the-scenes DVD is also included.

Jesu, "Lifeline" (Hydra Head Records, out Oct.3)

This British trio fronted by Justin Broadrick (Godflesh, Napalm Death, Techno Animal) released "Conqueror," its second full length, in February. This four-track disc is the group's third EP since.

The title track is chiming psychedelic shoegaze, while "You Wear Their Masks" is graduated degrees of drone rock, and "End of the Road" is a funereal racket.

"Storm Comin' On" features ex-Swans vocalist Jarboe, who lays down a chanted, operatic backdrop then tops it with hushed vocals over a martial beat, creating an overall hypnotic effect.

This is ambient bombast, atmospherics with tons of guitar distortion. There's an optimistic melancholy quality that's mesmerizing in its tranquility with an underlying sadness.

Jesu brings its inherent heaviness to the Launchpad, 618 Central S.W., on Sunday. Wolves in the Throne Room and Serpents Whisper open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at Natural Sound, at the door and at Launchpad. 21 and over. 764-8887.