Arising from the ashes - or in some cases the still burning fires - of nearly countless Buffalo bands (the Last Conservative, Starsick, Johnny Nobody, and Semi-Tough amongst others), Roger Bryan and the Old Sweethearts' pedigree certainly belies their style.
Make no mistake, the Old Sweethearts are a band schooled in the art of independent country music. On their debut album, "In Regards To Your Affairs," the band hints at classes they've taken in Tom Waits 101, Lucero 315 and Ryan Adams 141.
Their major? Tweedyology.
While their rock and roll roots keep the Old Sweethearts firmly in place, its Jeff Tweedy and Wilco that clearly head the school of rock. While most recent alt-country acts make futile and irreconcilable attempts at making the next Whiskeytown album, "In Regards To Your Affairs" is like a night with old friends; consistent rounds of beer with a few shots of whiskey to speed up the memories.
The whiskey rockers, songs like "Lay Down and Die" and "Careless Love," are the type of tracks that force old codgers to plug quarter after quarter in the jukebox at the local watering hole.
The slower jams, "Beneath Your Shoes" in particular, are where the pupils really make their professors proud. Reminiscent of "Summerteeth"-era Wilco and, praise God, Uncle Tupelo, they define what is often called "sad bastard music."
Dancing with comparisons to Waits and Cory Branan, Bryan's country croon is unique and trained. Where most singers in the genre sing with pathetic heartbreak that is seemingly avoidable, Bryan's voice is heartbroken and helpless, resonating with pain that walks back and forth across the stomach in the way only a trusted lover can.
If the Old Sweethearts can stay together long enough to muster a second record, their talent and teachers should be more than enough to land them well-above any acclaim their past projects have garnered them.
Wouldn't Tweedy be proud?
This comes recommended for fans of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo and Matthew Ryan.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
