When The Lights Go Down In The City

Won't you join us in our love for The Constantines? Their album Tournament of Hearts made our Top 12 of 2005, and we're not sure if this makes us pretentious or just lazy, but we're going to quote ourselves: "The Constantines first two records were dark, raw and sophisticatedly aggressive, with songs that were down in the mouth and determined at the same time. Grit, rasp and stubble remain on this record, but a softening has happened. The lover just left; the bedsheets are still warm and you can smell stale cigarette smoke on the pillowcase. It’s unclear if you’re wrecked or relieved."

We're giving away a copy of their album Tournament of Hearts to two lucky winners. Listen to "Soon Enough" and don't miss their show at Cafe Du Nord on Friday night.

The Streets psp case But wait, we have more to give. Tomorrow night The Streets play The Fillmore. Sure there have been some antics surrounding the show opener, Lady Sovereign, but check out this free Streets stuff. One lucky winner will get a special limited edition PSP case with the Streets lighter logo, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living on CD and vinyl, plus other swag like a lighter, posters, promo singles, etc.

Listen to The Streets' "When You Wasn't Famous - Professor Green Remix" and enter to win. (Above contests end 6/14. Winner will be notified via email.)

Tonight The Raconteurs commandeer Amoeba Records for a 9:30pm show. This should be a complete madhouse, but hey, free Raconteurs show! If you're not feeling up to being packed like a sardine, "Gram Parsons: Fallen Angel" is screening at the Roxie followed by a Q&A with director Gandulf Hennig. Our favorite otherworldly sister duo Cocorosie plays Great American with Spleen and Nomi which are certain to be strange in their own way. The Love X Nowhere celebrates an EP release at the Rickshaw Stop.

More of this week's show picks, after the jump!

Friday night we'll be watching the Constantines at Cafe Du Nord. Finest Dearest is playing at the Hemlock. On Saturday, head to Rickshaw Stop for your opportunity to behold The Stallion, "a world class magician, mentalist, ice dancer and escape artist, as well as the creator of Majudo, the only magic martial art in existence." The Stallion will perform "Fogstorm: Fully Loaded!" featuring special guest *Dazzle*, Tap Extraordinaire.

Monday night The Mountain Goats perform the first of two nights at Bottom of the Hill with Barbara Morgenstern. Monday's show is all ages but Tuesday's show is 21+ The Walkmen also play the first of two shows on Monday at Great American with Mazarin and Simon Dawes.