Greyhound Soul

Tucson's Greyhound Soul blends rough vocals, country twang, and straight-ahead rock with a twist of the blues. It's like hearing the child of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Hans Olson, the Pistoleros, and one of the small, unknown bands you might catch at Modified on a Wednesday night. Their newest album, Tonight and Every Night, puts together 10 carefully orchestrated tracks in a soothing style that is somehow classically Southwestern. While "Alligator Face" stands out as upbeat and catchy, the songs "Angelina" and "Midnight Radio" leave the strongest impression. Though clearly there is no such thing as a definable "Arizona sound," parts of "Angelina" are reminiscent of some local staples: The backbeat is like that of the Gin Blossoms, but less intense, and the singing is like a stripped-down version of the Pistoleros' Lawrence Zubia's clear and concise vocals. "Midnight Radio" provides a poppy yet grungy, relaxed yet dirty background amidst the deep, crackly, throaty sound that vocalist Joe Pena has undoubtedly learned from others, yet made distinctly his own. It's an easy listen, and like many really good albums, it grows on you the more you hear it.