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Winterpills plays at Space Gallery Friday with Ladybug Transistor and Gully.

Courtesy photo

My oh my what a difference a week makes. The Red Sox are in first place as the All-Star break wraps up and they head to Anaheim. Not only that, but the man, myth and legend Big Papi will be swatting home runs over the Hadlock Field wall as part of his rehab for three sold-out games next week. Cool!

Meanwhile, back in Aim's land of the herniated disc, I can share the discoveries of free on-demand television. I was couch-bound all day and delved into some of the never-before-clicked-on channels. For instance, Music on Demand.

How cool was it to watch Pete Townsend perform a solo acoustic "Let My Love Open the Door," from a 2007 show? Very cool. Not to mention seeing two songs, including "Baba O'Riley" from the Who's reunion show last year at Royal Albert Hall. I can't remember the exact channel it was on, but if you select Music on Demand you'll find it.

Baseball and television aside, this is the week you've been waiting for. It's almost, to use a "Princess Bride" word, inconceivable how many spectacular shows are happening this week. From Congress Street to Center Street and into Brownfield, Brunswick, Harrison, Ogunquit and Old Orchard Beach, this is a wacko-jacko week during which to feel the musical love.

I will try to say a bit about a lot of shows, so forgive the word count.

If Winterpills isn't one of my favorite bands, then I don't know who is. They've got two heaven-sent records out and a brand new one about to be released. Their music lives in the gossamer space between reverie and acute consciousness that spirals into one emotional abyss after another.

The vocals of Phillip Price and Flora Reed are an ancient reunion of once lost souls who have found one another in the far off ether where few have tread. Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and keyboards are the four corners that frame Winterpills; with each element leaving a sometimes gentle, sometimes untamed imprint.

Winterpills, with Ladybug Transistor and Gully, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. 828-5600. 18+. $7.

The oboe is not merely an often-used answer for "reed instrument" in the daily crossword puzzle. It is also one of the lead instruments in the Portland rock band named Hoboe. Yep, it's an amplified oboe you'll hear played by Zen Ben, who also pens the band's original songs. Add to this vocals, bass, guitar and electronic percussion grooves and you've got a psychedelic amalgamation of genre resistant music.

Also on the bill is Family Pet out of Gardiner and its experimental foray into I'm not sure what, but it wasn't boring. There's also The Clams, an instrumental surf rock combo from Connecticut. I heard two of their songs and dug them both. It ain't over yet. You'll also see Holly and Her Buddys, a band I couldn't find any info about online, but a band with such a cool name has got to be cool.

Hoboe with Family Pet, The Clams and Holly and Her Buddys, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Geno's Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland. 221-2382. 21+. $6.

Never one to sit still for too long, singer songwriter Melissa Ferrick will be releasing her latest record, Goodbye Youth, come September and during that month she'll be headlining at Space. If you're a fan, you know how enthralling her live shows can be. She'll be in Ogunquit on Saturday night. Enjoy.

Melissa Ferrick, 9 p.m. Saturday, Jonathan's Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit. 646-4777. $22.50.

Caught in the crossfire of alternative, progressive and classic rock is Portland band Red Cross Sky. John Koutny plays a wicked guitar. His bandmates singer/bass player Farren Pelkey and drummer William Bruner also mean business, and together the trio churns out some righteous tunes that flex seasoned...