I first caught Lydia Loveless upon Wayne "The Train" Hancock's urging. Consequently, I listened to her with honky-tonk ears, or at least with some degree of rural expectation. When I saw her live, she played alone, accompanied by her lone guitar and a bold assertiveness amidst a noisy crowd. I admired her for her lack of drama and pretty voice (when I could hear it). I wanted more. There's definitely a twang to her voice, but it isn't overly countrified. Loveless isn't afraid to dig beyond the dirt and drawl and go straight to the asphalt and urgency of a more balls-out rock sound.

Lydia Loveless plays Friday, July 31, at Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. 10 p.m. $15. abilenebarandlounge.com; lydialoveless.com.