Tonight, Tonight: The Wailers at the Granada, Camila at House of Blues and The Books at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

It's a weird and wonderful variety of shows happening in our area this evening. Fans of classic reggae and neo-classical avant-garde will be especially pleased...

The Wailers, Duane Stephenson and Melody Memory at the Granada
Aston "Family Man" Barrett has kept some form of the Wailers going since Bob Marley passed away in 1981. Then, after his brother Carlton died in 1987, Aston became the lone remaining original member of the touring Wailers responsible for such Marley masterpieces as Natty Dread and Exodus. With his connections in the reggae genre, Aston has consistently been able to assemble top-notch sidemen to continue spreading Marley's music and message of peace. Since Marley's untimely passing, the Wailers have gone on to play with the likes of Sting, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Kenny Chesney, Eve and even Jason Mraz. A more unlikely list of artists would be difficult to come across, so it's safe to say these guys know how to set a rock-steady groove. After all, they learned from the master.

Camila at the House of Blues
The Mexican trio known as Camila are pretty big shit south of the border and all across Latin America. And it's easy to see why: Songs such as "Mientes" and "Abrázame" are slick and relatively painless ballads that show some real talent underneath all the syrup. The group has already won three Latin Grammy Awards and, with the band's members barely in their 30s, it's a fairly certain deal that more awards are in the band's future. Take a date and try hard not to swoon.

The Books at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
There's simply no other band like The Books. The duo of Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong creates a completely original style of music that's not easily described. Found sounds, stringed instruments, percussion and electronics are fused together in repeating patterns that somehow resemble traditional songs. Certainly an acquired taste, the music of The Books can be fascinating and, OK, a little bit annoying at the same time. But The Way Out, the band's fourth release that came out last year, is by far the most accessible effort for fans of rock 'n' roll. Personally, I think 2005's Lost and Safe may be The Books' best moment. But, really, all of the band's releases are worth checking out. If you want to hear music that sounds like nothing you've heard before, head to Cowtown tonight and get all cultured up at the museum.