Review gallery: Secondhand Serenade

Secondhand Serenade in Reno

While the Dashboard Confessional comparison is hard to resist, Secondhand Serenade stands apart as an improvement. For one, the songs are more cheerful and romantic (Remember that wife?), even while retaining angst-ridden vocals. Plus, I haven't been listening to his whiny ruminations since 2000, so the freshness certainly helps. In any case, I'm sure Vesely sleeps well at night knowing he's got more MySpace views than Dashboard Confessional. Isn't that what really counts in life?

Vesely also seems like a good guy in concert and was friendly and appreciative to the Reno crowd. And his cred no doubt got a boost when he said something about "f--- Vegas" (where the tour had kicked off Friday).