When We Were Wild shows Dallas’ the Orbans to be serious contenders for inclusion in the cream of the alt-country melting pot (Wilco, Ryan Adams, Old 97s, etc.). Heck, they actually fit into the radio superstardom gang (Tom Petty, Coldplay) if anybody out there is paying attention. Peter Black’s voice is only rough around the edges — the middle is as easy and comfortable as a summer hammock. Songs like “Don’t Lose Yourself” and “Like a Liar” have just enough grit and twang to fit into the alt-country mold, but they’re hooky and smooth enough to appeal to a much wider audience. Tracks like “New Dress” and “Were Her” — loaded with retro keyboards, seesawing guitars and soaring choruses — are chameleons, with shadings of alt-country,‘70s rock and contemporary indie pop. When We Were Wild promises great things ahead for a band that, for now, sits at the top of the heap of rootsy indie bands making great music. (Under an earlier moniker, Lifters, the band released the also impressive Switchblade Waterpistol in 2007.)