This weekend, Bright Men of Learning–who recently released its Champion Sounds EP–plays a couple of shows around town. First, the band plays at Rudyard’s on Saturday night (11.7.09, 10:30pm) with 500 Megatons of Boogie and Ghost Town Electric, and then again at a party on Sunday at Big Star Bar on W. 19th, where the band promises to play a lot of its new material. Also, DJ ADR will be spinning.

Champion Sounds, which also includes “Good Driver Bad Actor” and “Texecution,” continues the band’s penchant for taking the best elements of classic rock (hearty riffs and laid-back, throaty vocals) and pairing them with solid indie pop. With only three songs, Bright Men of Learning’s Champion Sounds easily ranks among this year’s finest local releases.

The Bright Men will also play during the upcoming Free Press Houston Block Party, November 14-15. The band’s set is at 5:50pm Sunday (11.15.09) at Helio’s upstairs.