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Ben Kweller's mama is among a growing number of mothers who did not heed the advice made famous by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings back in 1978: don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.
With the February release of Changing Horses and Tuesday's performance at the Somerville Theatre, former Radish frontman Kweller added his name to the ever-expanding alt-country roster now permeating the indie scene. Having dipped his toes into the scene the occasional twang ("Red Eye") on his otherwise garage- and pop-infused 2006 eponymous release, Horses proudly showcases the completed transition from the first notes of opener "Gypsy Rose." Kweller makes it clear that he has grown from the boy watching Planet of the Apes on TV in "Sha Sha" into the man who has embraced the country sound of his Texan heritage.
The alt-country movement that has proliferated crops of indie artists in recent years is nothing new. Jack White, Ryan Adams, Conor Oberst, Jenny Lewis and M. Ward are among the poster children for the progression to sound marked by steel guitars and the style to match. So for Kweller - and any artist now trying their hand at this sound - two tasks arise. There is the challenge of separating oneself from the rest of the pack and, when performing live, bringing those audience members from the previous musical styles along for the new ride.
When Kweller hits his stride - as he did for much of his 80-minute set on Tuesday - he succeeds in conquering both challenges, seemingly with ease. While much of the set featured tracks off the new album, including the swinging "Wantin' Her Again" and "Hurtin' You," the addition of earlier Kweller staples helped to connect the musical dots. The musician and his three-piece band brought the audience through three older tunes - "Walk On Me," "Run," and "Family Tree" - before touching upon the latest release. By the time the slide guitar kicked off "Things I Like To Do," it becomes clear that the sensibilities dominating previous releases remain present in Changing Horses, but now are found in the background.
Kweller's new stylistic choice does, however, occasionally threaten to undermine his efforts. The songster has a distinctive voice, but when he forays from alt-country to straight up twang tunes, he sounds much less himself, much more Bob Dylan covering Willie Nelson. Kweller's strength lies in blending genres, demonstrated by a lovely turn at the piano for "Thirteen" that gave the ballad new warmth and poignancy, as opposed to complete immersion.
Jones Street Station welcomed in the slow-arriving audience with hair-whipped, knee-slapped country bluegrass, while the Watson Twins' harmonies soared in a set that gracefully touched upon 60s sunshine pop, alt-country and, with a gorgeous cover of "Just Like Heaven," even the Cure.
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