Critic’s Choice

On the website belonging to Denver’s Filmstrip Series, leader John Common lists dozens of ludicrous band names that didn’t make the cut — his favorite being Walt Shitman. And while that wise-ass moniker might seem like a non sequitur at first, in a weird kind of way it almost fits. Much like Shitman’s literary doppelgnger, Common has trafficked in a wide-skied Americana since his days in the celebrated roots-rock combo Rainville. His new outfit (appearing Thursday, June 9, at Bender’s Tavern, with the Ants and Reserved 16) is harder to pin down. Drawing as much from Radiohead and Yo La Tengo as it does from Wilco and the Jayhawks, the group folds elegant melody into brooding experimentalism — an epic, adventurous sound that will be showcased on an upcoming full-length debut. As names go, Filmstrip Series isn’t half bad. It’s certainly a hell of a lot more felicitous than Quaffed Monk or Infinite Legume.