Peter Himmelman is a grizzled veteran at this point and The Mystery and the Hum is all the stronger for it. His husky tone that reflects his midwestern roots is beautifully weatherworn as it delivers story songs (“Motel Room in Davenport”) and elongated rants (“Good Luck Charm”) with equal conviction. He’s adept at all styles of roots-rock, delivering a salt-of-the- earth salvation prayer with “Georgia Clay.” In the tradition between Tom Waits and John Hiatt, Himmelman and his close-knit backing band create no-nonsense tunes that aging classic rock fans can easily take to heart. Each snap of the snare drum, each pulse of the bass guitar and every acoustic- and electric-guitar chord make an immediate connection. The acoustic ballad “Don’t Give a Damn” is a great, stripped-down moment. “Medicine” is a brilliant full-band workout. “Windshield Reflections” has an autumnal drawl that catches a chill. “The Heart of the Midnight Sun” sounds as if it’s coming from the back of an old man’s bar. “Trembling in the Beams” is the piano lullaby that ends things on a perfect note.