It's not hard to tell that Gasoline Heart aren't rookies on their debut album, 'You Know Who You Are.' However, any remnants of the raucous punk'n'roll banditry that their previous band, The Kick, was know for has either vanished or been the starting point for a much different sound, that is much more mature, thoughtful, and true to their roots as an American rock band.

But it wasn't the change in sound that made this album a complete and utter surprise to me. Listening to the album, I quickly drew comparisons to the Americana rock of Counting Crows, Wallflowers and even Tom Petty. Rarely touched by a young band in this day in age, the sound hasn't been done right since the days of the aforementioned bands. That is, until now.

Gasoline Heart didn't exactly aim for a concept album here, but it does come off a bit conceptual with consistent beer-soaked balladry, contemplative presentation and earnest lyrics that sound like they were written from a barstool. The occupant, who holds his head low, smoking a cigarette, feels all the pain, heartbreak, loneliness and tough questions one can handle and manages to offer a few answers while there. Louis DeFabrizio provides the perfect tone for this purging, because even when things get quiet, his natural rasp is like a testament to hardship. With the help of a Hammond, Wurlitzer, mellotron, piano, violin and fiddle, full-neck chords ring out harmoniously between the two electric guitars with great sheen, thanks to Steve Albini's analog recording.

From start to scratch, this album is packed with such raw honesty, good melodies and classic rock, that it's hard for me to find any huge flaw with the album. While everybody raved over The Hold Steady's 'Boys And Girls In America' in 2006, I found myself enjoying this album a lot more, especially production-wise. Handling a sound change this well makes me anxious to hear another album by this stubble-chinned American bar band.