The first thing a listener notices when hooking up with Joe Pug is the familiar, plaintive cry of a mid-American folk singer. “Hymn 101″ from the Nation of Heat EP of 2008, is a Woody Guthrie/Bob Dylan-style cry for attention that doesn’t necessarily focus on one girl or one place. As with many tunes of this style, the hymn is a painting of the singer and his somewhat sad-eyed vision of the world.

The title tune, “Nation of Heat” has a bit more anger and frustration in it. I can’t quite put my finger on another singer this sounds like. Maybe it just sounds like Joe Pug. If someone out there can honestly tell me that Pug is a derivative of some earlier singer, feel free. OK, the harmonica is in the Dylan vein. But maybe we need another Robert Zimmerman

Try this take, from a Chicago writer. I can only say that I agree, for the most part – “Pug is the real deal. The kid’s got that weariness in his delivery that you can’t smoke or drink your way to because it comes from somewhere deeper than the vocal chords. It’s the same gritty, spirited voice that made Hank I, Kurt Cobain, and Bob Dylan iconic, and we as Chicagoans will be privileged enough to watch the kid develop from precocious youngster to out and out star.”-Chicagoist

I like the song title “I Do My Father’s Drugs.” Says a lot.

Joe Pue on MySpace

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In this writer’s mind, Minneapolis/St. Paul has always been a focal point for quality alternative rock, even some punk and smash-mouth stuff that catches attention nationwide. High On Stress joins the short-but-talented parade of musicians and singers from the twin cities.

I particularly agree with Rob van Alstyne, writing for Pulse of the Twin Cities, “Nick Leet’s alternately gritty and pretty songs live up to the productions high standards. High On Stress mark yet another welcome addition to the already burgeoning local alt. country scene.” I always thought Grateful Dead was both gritty and pretty. There is some similarity in sound, yet High On Stress has its own voice as well. “Abbey Rose” from Cop Light Parade (2008 OBT) is one tune, for example, that calls this to mind.

Band Members are Nick Leet – vocals and guitar; Mark Devaraj – drums; Jim Soule – bass guitar and backing vocals; Chad Wheeling – guitar and organ. There is some comparison made to alt-country with High On Stress. Tom Hallett, also writing for Pulse of the Twin Cities, mentions “howlin’ out Haggard-isms.” That’s neat.

As most will agree, once they have experienced it, the Twin Cities can be eye-opening when it comes to original music. Check out “Gold Star” for a bit of the 1960s Rolling Stone ballad flavor or the Brit rock period. Yet it remains original. That’s Moonlight Girls.

High On Stress on MySpace

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As a person who makes a living with words, I have always liked the word “evocative.” Some have called this small group just that. While a first listen to their music is not an earth-moving experience, it does “draw forth” or “summon” emotions, which is what evocative music is supposed to do. I wonder if all music isn’t evocative, however.

Here’s what their own Web information states, “This evocative acoustic guitar duo from Orange County fills its songs with compelling lyrics and haunting melodies. Seasoned with six years of collaboration, they have fine-tuned their harmonious arrangements to portray an unforgettable storytelling experience. Influences of Jack Johnson, Simon & Garfunkel, Pink Floyd, and the Counting Crows have inspired the band’s unique mix of acoustic guitar and alternative riffs. The result is a blend of mellow but exhilarating vibes which will be sure to captivate.”

That’s saying a lot, actually. Ryan Johnson and Chris LeBer, from Orange County, California, are Half Moon Tuesday. They do have some touches of Simon & Garfunkel in “Everything Was So Beautiful,” though Paul Simon would be hard to touch as a songwriter. “Fade” is a slower-paced, mood song. The music of Half Moon Tuesday is, overall, crafted fairly well. They should be popular in the folk/coffee house venues. This type of music is a welcome change for many who have tired of the pounding and screaming that passes for music today.

Just keep in mind that what these guys do is very difficult.

Half Moon Tuesday on MySpace

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On the first listen, “Flood Song” from Westside Pump Station (2008) takes this listener back, to a bit of the punk band sound of the late 70s and the 80s. That was the real stuff.

Dirty Dave and the Deviants certainly have the name to fit in this category, and the idea that their music sounds like “freedom” doesn’t hurt either. “Lionicide” is an interesting tune, to say the least. This one might even draw a few extra listeners in with its Brit-pop feel.

According to their Web information, “The initial workings of the Deviants started in Isla Vista in 2004, when Whiskers and Mik began playing in the seminal indie lounge band Dr. Girlfriend.” Nice start! Changes came with the death of drummer Lahd Addict and the seed of the group added Tony Romeo. Then along came Dirtius Maximus Davidus and the rest is still being written.

Web information states that the band members are: Lysol: Bass, Vox; Mik Meat: Guitar, Vox; Adam Carnage: Drums. Just check out this list of influences then decide if you want to dig deeper into Dirty Dave and the Deviants: natural disasters, gluttony, adultery, probability, Sex Dwarf, Silversexuals, Transvestite Prostitutes named Tommy, the Angry Samoans, Omar, Older Sisters, and Milk.

I sorta like “Sex Bomb.”

Dirty Dave and the Deviants on MySpace