Working my way through Modern Kin's self-titled debut, the word that kept swimming around in my head was "skeletal." Though the songs are adorned with expansive reverb, what you really pick out and identify are the three people behind the songs: Drew Grow, Kris Doty and Jeremiah Hayden. Even though Modern Kin's sound is big, the songs remain testaments to the tight musicianship of the trio. Modern Kin is a remarkable surefooted debut for the band, and one of the reasons may be that it's actually not a debut - not really, anyway.

Modern Kin began life in 2007 as Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives, an acclaimed folk-rock band that incorporated elements of soul and spine-tingling gospel. Recently, with the loss of a member, the decision was made that a change was needed.

Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Modern Kin in the Music & Culture section.

MODERN KIN, w/ Not From Brooklyn, Us Lights, 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Grit City Grindhouse, 311 S. Seventh St., Tacoma, $10, $7 advance, 253.237.3069