In “Heart Attack,” Alec Gross claims he “can’t sing with a loaded gun at my back.”  Likely that’s the only situation where his voice falters, as he ably sings the gamut of musical styles with his band The Districts on their new album, Win or Lose.  The five-piece hails from Virginia, and their distinctly American sound is evident on barroom rockers and slower numbers alike.

Max Sorenson’s twangy leads and Jay Hardin’s keyboard parts add depth to some of the faster-paced tunes on the album such as the title track, “Oh Little Girl,” and “Piscataway.” The band, however, shines equally on several ballads, honest tunes like “Broken in Two” or “Favorite Dream” that address love’s heartbreaks and farewells.

Favorite Track: Track 11, “Favorite Dream”