As the great debut albums of 2007 go, Elvis Perkins’ Ash Wednesday (Xl Recordings) is among the top of the class. Perkins’ 11-track offering utilizes the singer/songwriter’s gift for tunefully tempered, fleshed-out folk rock that fearlessly delves into personal tragedy and loss. Much has been made of Perkins’ pedigree (he’s the son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Berenson) and the pall of his parents’ deaths does hang over Ash Wednesday. However, while they are part of the bigger picture, the facts behind Perkins’ story shouldn’t be used to outshine the lyrical deftness and songcraft within. Along with his band Dearland—comprised of bassist Brigham Brough, drummer Nicholas Kinsey and keyboardist/guitarist Wyndham Boylan-Garnett—Perkins creates some of the finest, dark-edged nighttime hymns of downtrodden luck and loss since Leonard Cohen was at his peak. While music fans are steadily emerging to embrace Ash Wednesday, fellow artists beat everyone to the discovery. Perkins and Dearland have been named as favorites and toured in support of friends like Cold War Kids, My Morning Jacket and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Support for Perkins and Dearland’s gig this Tuesday come from Roger Bryan—a regular fixture of the Old Sweethearts, among other Buffalo bands—who is set to release his first proper solo record (sans Sweethearts) in the coming month.

Tuesday, July 31 at 8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk Street (855-3931, mohawkplace.com). $10