The Great Deal of Love Low Rent Recordings***

When ex-members of Philadelphia band Aspera convinced former Rollerskate Skinny vocalist Ken Griffin to take up his microphone again in 2006, the outcome was a debut scattered with self-doubt. Favourite Sons' second offering, however, is an indubitably more upbeat proposition. Griffin does a fine job of constructing the sturdy framework of these songs, but it's the vibrant, organic musicianship that gives them their warm, genial sparkle (see: the summery 1970s folk pop of Sweet Along the Vineand the title track). Comparisons with acts such as Springsteen, The Bad Seeds and DeVotchKa are perhaps inevitable given the prevailing use of twinkling musical surges, occasionally sombre vocals and brass instrumentation. Still, the theatrical murkiness makes for a well-rounded, if slightly overlong record. See favouritesons.com

Download tracks: The Great Deal of Love, Forget My Name