Jeff Tweedy once called "Before Tonight" by Souled American the song he wished he’d written. That was in 2019. The trouble was, hardly anyone could find it. For decades, the band existed as a footnote in Americana and alt-country lore, whispered about by musicians, revered by those lucky enough to stumble upon their records, yet largely unheard by the wider world.

Formed in 1987 by four Illinois musicians - vocalist/rhythm guitarist Chris Grigoroff, bassist/vocalist Joe Adducci, electric guitarist Scott Tuma, and drummer Jamey Barnard - Souled American arrived with a sound that defied easy categorization. They signed to Rough Trade Records, and in 1988, their debut Fe became one of the label’s first U.S. releases, alongside Lucinda Williams’ self-titled album. They made three more records for Rough Trade before the label collapsed, taking their music with it. The band pressed on, releasing two more albums on the small German imprint Moll Töntrager, but without proper distribution or promotion, their work drifted into obscurity.

Despite the silence that followed, those who worked with Souled American never forgot. Jim Rondinelli (Wilco, The Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet, Urge Overkill), who co-produced Fe, called them “far and away the most unique and fresh and talented band I ever worked with.” Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Counting Crows), who produced their next three records, described hearing them as “flabbergasting.”

Now, Rise Above It: A Souled American Anthology reclaims their place in music history. The 20-track collection spans the band’s first six albums, newly remastered and finally accessible. The accompanying booklet features lyrics and extensive liner notes from Camden Joy, providing a long-overdue deep dive into their legacy.

Tweedy dedicated a chapter to "Before Tonight" in his 2023 book World Within a Song, calling it “the hardest track to find of any I’ve included here.” That changes now. With Rise Above It, Souled American’s lost brilliance is finally within reach.