When the La’s came through town a few months ago on the heels of their slice-o’-heaven single, “There She Goes,” everyone was excited about the prospects of the group live–particularly since the blustery band members kept talking about how great they were onstage. Turned out they were a bloody bore. Now, in contrast, comes Blur, another British jangly pop band. “She’s So High,” the lead-off track on their U.S. debut Leisure–all impeccable technorock–takes a stately guitar change-up and smears it all over a thudding rhythm section and a drifting-on-air vocal. “There’s No other Way” does similar things, except over a beat about twice as fast and with a hook about twice as grabby. These guys are sharp, too: the opening riff of one song, “Fool,” is an energetic but tired cliche–but they switch gears after about five seconds to dispense yet another pop gem. Very groovy. Slowdive opens. Tuesday, 7:30 PM, Cabaret Metro, 3730 N. Clark; 549-0203.
