Consumer Guide Album

Dave Alvin: Romeo's Escape [Epic, 1987]
Alvin's hoarse timbre, bellowing passion, and approximate pitch call up other songwriter front men--such dubious predecessors as John Prine and Guy Clark, who at least can claim to sound like themselves. Nevertheless, he's a born songwriter--guitarist, too. The country demos and Blasters covers hold their own. The X cover is why he moved on. B+