Chris Garneau provides some relief; the Colour goes dark

[Here's a Friday afternoon volley to close out a week of not-enough-blog-posts, battles with overflowing Outlook mailboxes and a persistent cold and a seemingly endless parade of goodbye messages from colleagues who are leaving the Times. No need for one of those "current mood" icons -- this song's for you ...]

Chris Garneau and directors Daniel Stessen and Dori Oskowitz nailed it with "Relief." That's all I can say. The song and the video transported me back to the period in the late-1970s when I had this character's very job; it remains the only job I've been dismissed from (knock on counter). Something about too many broken dishes and having my cassette player turned up too loud in the kitchen.

The Brooklyn-based songwriter's "Music for Tourists" is out now Absolutely Kosher Records, and he plays the Hotel Cafe tonight.

Also tonight

Speaking of sad, local guys the Colour have announced they are calling it quits and that this tour -- shows tonight at the Roxy and Saturday at the Alley in Fullerton -- will be their last. From the band's MySpace page:

We are writing to share with you a major decision we have come to as a band. After much thought and deliberation, we have come to a decision to end our four-year journey as The Colour. This decision was spawned by an overwhelming desire to turn a new page in our lives. We have poured our hearts and souls into this band, but have realized that it is time to move on. It has been an amazing journey. We have met some wonderful people and had so many nights that we will never forget. It has been a real honor and blessing to perform and interact with such amazing fans. You guys have been the life and blood of this band. Without you, this band would not have been able to accomplish the things we did. Words cannot express the impact you had on our lives. To clear up any confusion, there are no problems with us relationally. We are still best friends who live together. We are simply ready to move on. We will be performing a few final shows and it would be amazing to celebrate with each of you one last time. We promise to play long and historic sets.

And also tonight

Courtney Love will do a guest spot with Linda Perry at the House of Blues. ... The Black Angels, who drenched the Wiltern in sheets of psychedelic guitar when they opened for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club last month, and Vietnam rock the Troubadour. ... Autloux and Deerhoof play it loud at the Natural History Museum tonight; should be interesting. ... The Mother Truckers play Safari Sam's.

[Please check back in the morning for some weekend suggestions.]