James Apollo is restless as a willow in a windstorm. If he's not breaking his legs in motorcycle accidents, or barreling down highways to get to the show on time, he's screwing his life up at home, leaving a trail of wreckage usually left to generals and junkyard foreman.

While his music often has some pervasive themes, namely love, loss, loneliness and deceit, Apollo steeps it in so much melancholy that even the most dire of tales has you wondering whether he's cheering for the victim or the cause. And though there may be a sly smile between castanets on his latest, Born Lucky, for Apollo, this is about as steady as he's going to get.