Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter

Jesse Sykes is a dark, stylistic songwriter who doesn’t hold back with her feelings. She’s merged the musical tone and lyrical tapestry of Chris Isaak, Gary Heffern and Nick Cave; her sweet, sultry voice and slow-motion guitars advise you to take your time. Sykes’ feminine viewpoint sounds honest, with no syrupy aftertaste. Her band, the Sweet Hereafter, is a competent unit with an alt-country legacy; it contains ex-members of the Walkabouts, Neko Case, Evangeline, Citizens Utilities and Whiskeytown. Not exactly a bunch of slouches, but truthfully Sykes could sing her songs with a one-arm monkey and sound great. “Don’t Let Me Go,” “Drinking with Strangers,” “Love Me, Someday” and “Lullaby” are songs that rank in the category of “they don’t get any better than that.” This is a rare bird of a recording, produced with gentle hands by Tucker Martine, with songs that could make Mark Eitzel cry.