What do you do when you follow in the footsteps of a parent? Mostly, no one notices. Often, the offspring is more technically solid but not nearly as creatively inspired. I always flash on Dweezil Zappa when thinking about this. He's a really great guitarist who can play just about anything. And, when allowed, he makes money playing his father's music. It's a living.

Duane Betts Sketches of American Music EP (self-released) Shooter Jennings Shooter (Low Country Sound/Elektra)

Shooter Jennings and Duane Betts are in the same waters. They're even both about the same age (39 and 40, respectively). Betts has played with some of the Allman Brothers reunion bands and certainly hasn't shied away from his father's legacy. As for Shooter Jennings, well, he sounds a hell of a lot like his dad, and he doesn't seem to have worried about trading on the family name.

Both are very good singers. Betts is an outstanding guitarist. Jennings plays a number of instruments (mainly guitar these days), but his voice is where he makes his bones. Betts's songs are understated rambles that take their time to deconstruct their subjects. Jennings has played just about every style of country-ish music there is, and a lot of those show up on this set. And much like his dad, Jennings is hardly subtle. The fourth track here is "D.R.U.N.K."

Dickey Betts was rarely a frontman. His son takes on that role, though he seems to prefer to allow his writing and playing speak for themselves. He'll kick an ass or two, but the songs on this EP are generally ruminative (in a most engaging, sprightly way). Shooter Jennings carries himself a lot like his dad, although he does seem to take better care of himself.

My preference here is for Betts, but just by a hair. Jennings has a much longer track record (and, to be honest, one that is much more solid and consistent than his father's), and that is apparent from the much wider range of roadhouse bombers on his album. Put another way, Jennings is more Drive-By Truckers, and Betts is more Ryan Adams. Although Jennings's "Shades & Hues" sounds just like a long-lost Whiskeytown song. So there's that.

Betts doesn't have a long enough track record for me to make an adequate comparison to his dad. But this EP is quietly amazing. There's a lot more going on than is apparent on first listen. This is Jennings's tenth album, and it is much more polished and accomplished than pretty much anything his dad ever put out. In all honesty, it's also safer. But there you go. The kids are alright, even if they aren't their daddies. Especially because they aren't their daddies.

Jon Worley