We're not crazy about instrumental music (in case you haven't noticed) so we're especially impressed when an artist can break through our predilections. RATATAT's music is so melodic, varied and compelling that it makes vocals and lyrics seem superfluous. The Brooklyn duo expertly mixes snakey synth lines with sneering guitar, cello, sleigh bells and samples like the appropriately primal roar in "Wildcat". It's a little early to tell, but RATATAT's Classics just might make it on to SFist's Best of '06 list. File under: Things That Make You Go "ROWR!"

RATATAT's show at Great American this Monday is already sold out, so you can either comb Craiglist for someone looking for a +1, or win their new record Classics from us. Listen to RATATAT and enter to win (Contest ends 9/20; winner will be notified via email.)

Tonight at 6pm you have a big decision to make: which fantastic free show by a promising local band will you see? At Amoeba you could see Two Gallants, self-proclaimed love child of Bright Eyes and the White Stripes, and marvel at how young Adam and Tyson wring so much life experience out of their young, wiry frames. Or, over at the Apple store, you could catch Honeycut for free and try to guess how they came up with their catchy, mashed up sound. Either way, you really can't go wrong. Later tonight Swedish rock collective Teddybears are spinning for Popscene at 330 Ritch. We're not sure how much we actually like Teddybears, but we do like the phrase 'Swedish rock collective.'

Listen to Two Gallants’ “Waves of Grain
Listen to Honeycut and Teddybears

On Friday, our friends at Jackpine Social Club present September Gurls: A Tribute to Big Star at 12 Galaxies. Hear all Big Star songs all night by Jon Auer (of the Posies, and, well, Big Star), Mark Eitzel, Oranger, Jeffrey Luck Lucas and lots more. Enter to win a pair of tickets to the show.

More show picks and mp3 links, after the jump.

"Holla, holla, holla" because John Legend is at The Independent on Saturday, and man do we love that song ("Used To Love U"). Check out another free show at Amoeba on Monday evening with Keb Mo. Also that night, RATATAT are at Great American with Envelopes and Panther, but alas, that show is sold out. You could check out The Human League with the locals in loop!station on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at Red Devil Lounge. On Wednesday, Mission of Burma perform in support of their record The Obliterati at Great American. Another SFist interviewee Matt Nathanson plays at Sweetwater in Marin on Wednesday.

Stream songs from Mission of Burma's The Obliterati

Image of Jon Auer from his website.