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If the T&T-tested theory that America permits just one great new U.K. band to saturate the airwaves per year in the '00s rings true, 2004 belonged to Franz Ferdinand, last year was the Kaiser Chiefs, and this year, the way things look, belongs to the Arctic Monkeys.

Last fall, the Sheffield-bred foursome first attacked on their home front with the single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," which also whipped Brit music scribes into a frenzy. The hype machine accelerated there in January with the release of their debut, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," which became the fastest-selling debut release in U.K. history. Apparently, a handful of stateside music scribes and fans also drank the Artic Kool Aid, with glowing reviews for "Whatever" and sold-out shows.

Truth be told, "Whatever" is a fun, spunky album; take one part the Strokes, a little bit of the Libertines, a pinch or two of the White Stripes, and you'll get the idea. But for every great U.K. import such as the Smiths and Stone Roses that leave a long-lasting impression, there's handfuls of Ned's Atomic Dustbins that fail to live up to the hype. The Monkeys are, at the moment, the fuel that's running the U.K. Hype Machine, but despite a very impressive debut, the chances of them sputtering out is as likely, if not more, as becoming a band for the ages. It's way too soon to tell.

Artic Monkeys | 6 p.m. Saturday, Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago (sold out).

FYI: (219) 549-0203 or www.metrochicago.com

Donald Fagen | 8 p.m. Saturday, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $42.50 to $62.50.

As someone who can appreciate, albeit haphazardly, the playful punk of Arctic Monkeys, I have caught a lot of flack when professing my love for Steely Dan and its co-henchman, Donald Fagen. Along with his partner in crime, Walter Becker, Fagen was a prime target for punk scorn in their '70s heyday, but in hindsight, their seething was misguided; beneath their unmistakable jazz pop hooks is a layer of darkness and perversion ("Everyone's Gone to the Movies," anyone?) that continued through their comeback discs earlier this decade (see "Cousin Dupree"). Time has been good to Steely Dan and Walt, as everyone from Moby to Neptune extraordinaire Pharrell Williams loudly extol their virtues.

On his own, Fagen hasn't strayed too far from the Dan's musical blueprint, and that's not a bad thing for us faithful. Yet lyrically he tends to think on a more universal scale. His first solo effort in more than a decade, "Morph the Cat," looks at the world from a post-9/11 perspective, albeit with some insatiable Dan-esque musical accompaniment.

FYI: (312) 462-6300

On sale now

For more information, contact the venues or Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com. All shows are all-ages unless indicated.

* Sigur Ros, May 9, Civic Opera House

* Regina Spektor, April 26, Martyrs' (21-and-over show)

* Slayer, June 13, Aragon Ballroom

* James McMurtry, June 3-4, Martyrs' (21-and-over show)

* Mogwai, May 19, Metro

* Keyshia Cole, April 13, House of Blues (18-and-over show)

* Lonnie Brooks, March 24, FitzGerald's (21-and-over show)

* Melissa Etheridge, July 21-22, Auditorium Theatre

* George Thorogood and the Destroyers, July 30, House of Blues (21-and-over show)

* Erasure, May 18, Park West (18-and-over show)

* The Bangles, July 8, House of Blues (21-and-over show)

* Elbow, April 16, Double Door (21-and-over show)

* Sick Of It All, May 31, Metro

* Matt Costa, May 9, Schubas (21-and-over show)

* Edwin McCain, May 12, House of Blues (18-and-over show)

FYI

The Saw Doctors' Saturday performance at Vic Theatre is sold out.

The Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net.


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