Bands like the BoDeans and Soul Asylum brought "Midwest rock" to national audiences in the 1990s. Lately, the genre seems to be a regional flavor.
In Madison, some of the most popular local bands and solo artists carry forward the tradition of big-chord guitar songs and down-to-earth lyrics that stand for something. Clear Blue Betty is one. Mark Croft is another. On his new five-song EP, Croft invokes the Midwestern sound four times. Only the middle track, "Crooked Line," breaks the mold with a tense, Latin-influenced sound.
Of course, there's a reason Madison's best Midwest rock musicians are a hot ticket. They make music that's authentic and full of heart and soul. Permanent Ink is no exception.
