Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter

With a lovelorn, heavenly voice that's earned comparisons to the late, great Sandy Denny, Jesse Sykes sings the kind of heart-songs that bleed pure outland soul. After leaving Alt Country band Hominy, Sykes hooked up with ex-Whiskeytown guitarist Phil Wandscher (who was tired of not getting paid by Ryan Adams). The two set to work recording Sykes' songs by picking some of the most-respected Seattle musicians to form The Sweet Hereafter. Anyone who ever loved the Scud Mountain Boys will love this band even more: almost every song burns slower than an American Spirit cigarette, as subtly twangy undertones weave in and out of spacious arrangements.