LAST YEAR, Picture Atlantic released a self-produced album called Kleos, 14 tracks of beautiful rock music, coasting seamlessly from songs such as "Circe" and "Dove in the Clefts of Rock," reminiscent of Muse, Coldplay and the Velvet Teen, to "That's Just Me" and "Slip Into the Sea," which evoke the sounds of Hot Hot Heat, the Bravery and All American Rejects. The South Bay group, which enjoyed a stellar year, including opening for Coldplay at the HP Pavilion, is frank about its ambitions: "Pretty much, kleos is glory or fame, but it also kind of pertains to what people hear about you and the word that spreads around about you, and most heroes sought after it in battles," says lead vocalist Nikolaus Bartunek.

PICTURE ATLANTIC, with SOUND OF ORANGE, WESTWOOD AND WILLOW and VINCENT DO, plays Saturday, (Feb. 7) at 7:30pm at the Red Rock Coffee Roaster, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. Free. (650.967.4473)

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