Jeremiah Kidwell

Jeremiah Kidwell was conceived between the gyrating hips of old-school rock and roll. The singer's explosive, sweat-drenched delivery -- which summons the likes of Elvis and Chuck Berry -- gives legs to a band that may be one of the city's best-kept secrets. On Look Out for the Bottom Line, Kidwell kicks off the opening chorus of "Top of the Line" with a barrage of Bible Belt soul à la Creedence Clearwater Revival, howling, Jesus, Jesus, come on and please us/Take us to the top of the line. This completely analog debut is fueled by two screaming six-strings, though the majority of the EP -- which clocks in at a mere 15 minutes and change -- does little justice to the band's stage energy. Bottom Line's saving grace may be the closing arguments on "Let Me Cross Over," in which Kidwell works a harmonica like a seasoned vet, suggesting there's much more to the Litigators than semihumorous lawyer shtick.