When the Decemberists sang We are two mariners, our ship’s sole survivors in this belly of a whale, they probably didn’t realize it had anything to do with San Francisco septet Or, the Whale. Both groups douse contemporary chamber pop in an old-timey sepia bath, yet “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” comes out reeking of such English-major pomposity that it renders Or, the Whale’s countrified take positively charming. This holds true across the band’s May debut, Light Poles and Pines, and is bound to continue at its Starry Plough gig. Friday, June 22, with bluegrass outfit Stiff Dead Cat and Oakland guitarist Joe Rut. 9:30 p.m., $7. StarryPloughClub.com
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