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New Fall Out Boy. Eyes pop. Jaw drops. And what is this unfamiliar flailing of the limbs? It's not a physical reaction to Pete Wentz's nekkid Sidekick shots but instead to his group's fourth full-length. Brimming with Fall Out Boy's jubilantly spazzy hooks and smirkingly dark wordplay, Infinity on High makes a big bid to remove the Chicago emo-pop-punkers from the guilty-pleasure playlist on your iPod. Utterly shocking to admit, but this album does. Not. Suck. Drops February 6.
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Earl Greyhound. The Village Voice calls "S.O.S.," the single from Brooklyn's Earl Greyhound, "a twisted multipart opus that's equal parts stoner metal and mannered glam." Pitchforkmedia.com doled out 4 12 stars on the cut, terming it "freakishly heavy." See for yourself at Beauty Bar on Saturday, February 3. (See Page 46.)
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The Big Game (in which QBs arrive in china cabinets). To the shredder with the roughing-the-quarterback rules—let them get hit. Fox Sports blogger "rivjo" rants: "It's a travesty, an injustice, pathetic and it's making a mockery of a game that is based predominantly on physicality... I've had all I can stand." Super Bowl, Sunday, February 4, 3:25 p.m., Channel 8.
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The Legislature Convenes The scourge of meth! Kindergarten! Gridlocked highways! Overcrowded prisons! The beloved biennial farce featuring the men and women you chose to make your state laws starts in Carson City on February 5. Expect much showboating, grandstanding, wheeling, dealing and dodging, along with much fiddling with your money, health and safety. Tune in online at www.leg.state.nv.us, or dial up the legislative hotline to get bill updates and agendas (486-2626 in Las Vegas).
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Reasons to attend the ballet this weekend. 1) The girls are hot. The guys aren't bad, either. Nevada Ballet Theatre is one of the best-looking companies in the country. 2) This Balanchine guy was the real deal, with his combination of classical steps choreographed in a bold, modern and demanding style. Lots of companies want to perform Balanchine, but his dances are tightly controlled. A company has to be good to get permission. All Balanchine Celebration. February 2 at 8 p.m.; February 3 at 2 p.m., Artemus Ham Hall, UNLV. Tickets: $29$69; 895-2787.