The ratings tell the tale, and less folks are watching late-night talk these days, myself among them. Of course that was due to a cable-lineup change resulting from my recent move than any new change in personal viewing habits. Only yesterday did I get around to setting my TiVo Season Pass for The Late Show with David Letterman (in a new, later slot), and it seems I re-upped just in time.

A bout of insomnia had me tuning in to a bunch of TV early this morning. When I selected last night’s recording of Letterman and saw that Steel Train was the musical guest, I assumed it was some sort of reggae outfit (that, of course, would be this group). No, Steel Train is an indie rock band made up of five fellas who, based on the sound of the one song they played, either really dig The Killers’ Sam’s Town or Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run. Since the group hails from New Jersey, I’m betting they’re big into the Boss.

The song they played, “Bullet,” is taken from Steel Train’s self-titled third album. Listen and you’ll hear what I mean:

Steel Train simulatenously released a companion CD to their eponymous new album, with versions of the same songs re-done by some of the band’s favorite female artists. Titled Terrible Thrills Vol. 1, the set features Tegan and Sara, Scarlett Johansson, Nellie McKay, Anna Waronker, and more.

From what I can tell, the only way to get the whole thing — iTunes and Amazon MP3 each have two different bonus tracks appended to Steel Train — is via the band’s website.

Purchase Steel Train – “Bullet” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.