This week there's a recommendation every night at a different venue - talk about a great week of music. Starting with Monday, MGMT, the super-hyped duo from Brooklyn, will be playing Bottom of the Hill. MGMT is: Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, two psychic pilgrims whose paths first intersected in the green pastures of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, circa 2002. After a post-college "existential crisis" they decided to create their masterpiece, Oracular Spectacular, released last week. (Check out the video, here.)

Barton Carroll (seen above) will be headlining, on Tuesday, at Hotel Utah. Carroll's new CD, The Lost One, comes out the same day. His genuine, story-telling folk songs creates the perfect North Carolina backwoods' atmosphere of his childhood home. Wednesday, if you are ready for some true rock n' roll, then head over to The Independent to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Vampire Weekend is back on Thursday. This time, they are taking their over-buzzed, yet still completely lovable, afro-punk music to 330 Ritch Street hosted by the ever-so-hot popscene. Last time, we were at popscene, it was packed. We have a feeling, it will be again. Don't worry if you already bought tickets to The Lovemakers (who we recommended a couple of weeks ago), Vampire Weekend will be back for two nights in March.

For our weekend recommendations and the full weekly listings, take the jump...

Finally, to the weekend: Social Distortion is back at the Fillmore on Friday night, after they cancelled their last three concerts earlier this month. If you are getting a refund instead of attending, then check out Mary Gauthier at Great American Music Hall. She's been called one of the "best singer-songwriters of her generation...." That's an accomplishment.

If you haven't gotten tickets to the sold-out Nada Surf acoustic show, then be sure to get there early on Saturday night, as their will be a limited amount of tickets available at the door. If you don't want to stand in the cold, (especially since they are coming back to the city in March) then head to the Bottom of the Hill where Love Like Fire is playing. This local band is addictive. Their music is their obsession. They created a self-funded nationwide tour, while continuing to write new songs. They love it and we can tell. Their obsessiveness is creeping through their music, making it impossible for us to listen to anything else, even though their latest EP, An Ocean in the Air, is only seven tracks. It's clear why this indie-rock band has got nothing but positive buzz.

Of course, if you are into giant arena, production-type concerts, (which at times, can be significantly more fun) then head over to the Oracle in Oakland and check out the Grammy-nominated band, Foo Fighters.

FULL LISTINGS:

Monday, January 28:
MGMT and Yeasayers @ Bottom of the Hill, SOLD OUT*
Swati with Jo Boyer @ Elbo Room, $6

Tuesday, January 29:
Barton Carroll, Chelan and Paul Manousos @ Hotel Utah, $6*
Mr. Lif & The Perceptionists @ The Independent, $18
Puddle Of Mudd and Neurosonic @ Slim's, $25
Bruce Foxton & Richard Buckler of The Jam @ Great American Music Hall, $25
The Struts @ Bottom of the Hill, $8
Rickie Lee Jones @ Cafe du Nord, SOLD OUT

Wednesday, January 30:
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ The Independent, $14*
Todd Snider and Chris Webster @ Great American Music Hall, $20
Hot Lunch @ Bottom of the Hill, $8
Griddle and Josh Fix @ Cafe du Nord, $10
Miss Derringer @ Elbo Room, $6

Thursday, January 31:
Vampire Weekend @ popscene: 330 Ritch St, $12*
The Lovemakers, Audrye Sessions and Poor Bailey @ Cafe du Nord, $10*
Autolux, Wooden Shjips and Drug Rug @ The Independent, $16
Todd Snider and Chris Webster @ Great American Music Hall, $20
Samiam, Everything Must Go and Cold Hot Crash @ Bottom of the Hill, $13
Company Car and Mister @ Hotel Utah, $6
Social Distortion (rescheduled from January 5th) @ Fillmore, $30

Friday, February 1:
Mark Olson (of The Jayhawks) and Mary Gauthier @ Great American Music Hall, $20*
David Grisman Bluegrass Experience @ The Independent, $30
Rocket Dog Rescue Benefit and Caroline Lund @ Slim's, $20
BAGeL RADIO 5th Anniversary Show presents Peloton @ Bottom of the Hill, $10
The Mighty Lynch-Pins @ Hotel Utah, $6
Social Distortion @ Fillmore, $30

Saturday, February 2:
Overview and Love Like Fire @ Bottom of the Hill, $10*
Nada Surf @ Swedish Music Hall, $20*
Foo Fighters w/ Against Me! @ Oracle, $45*
Sila and the Afrofunk Experience with Radioactive @ The Independent, $16 & $35 VIP
Hot Challenge and Foxtail Somersault @ Great American Music Hall, $13
The Waking Hours @ Hotel Utah, $8
Social Distortion @ Fillmore, $30

Sunday, February 3:
Lyfe Jennings @ The Independent, $27

* We recommend!
Photo courtesy of Barton Carroll's website and Love Like Fire's website