In his 15th release this San Francisco based rocker and one time Green On Red member turns down the intensity a bit and in doing so allows his erudite storytelling and unique vocal styling to shine. Comprising mostly ballads, the tracks cover a myriad of topics ranging from The Great Depression (Marathon) to Trump (Get Off The Stage). Whether referencing Joan of Arc or Charles Bukowski, his highly literate lyrics are bound to up your English Lit. cred. His band, The Mission Express, follows suit by complimenting him with an intensity and creativity that deftly complements his voice using a variety of instrumentation ranging from slide guitar, to sax, to sitar (or something like it).  Topping it off are sublime tandem vocals with his bandmate and wife Julie Finch. Pick a track, any track - they are all eminently playable.

RIYL: Jonathan Richman, Flamin' Groovies, Tom Petty

1 Best Shirt On - jangly pop sound about looking good for a certain someone (med, 3:07)*
2 High as Johnny Thunders - ode to a perfect world and the New York Dolls with dreamy guitar & sax accents   (slow, 3:19)***
3 Marathon - power guitar into, synth flourishes & great tandem vocals  (fast, 3:47)***
4 Paying My Respects to the Train - slow & wistful imagining of waiting for Lincoln's funeral train to pass (slow, 4:11)
5 Willie and Nilli - beautiful tale of a young couple running wild in the streets of S.F. (med, 3:48)***
6 Fast Kid - expansive power guitar intro in a story of John the Baptist escaping Salome (fast, 2:38)**
7 Love Doesn't Come From the Barrel of a Gun - bouncy rhythm on this critique of gun culture (slow, 3:15)
8 Nixonland - slow and ominus tale of a disgraced president with Dick Dale style guitar break (slow, 4:12)*
9 Meet Me at the Roundabout - slow & dreamy (slow, 3:09)
10 Womankind - doo-wop style counterpoint to JB's Man's Man's World (med, 3:39)
11 Waving Goodbye - great slide on this sad story of an abused girl escaping home (slow, 3:52)**
12 Get Off the Stage - fun word play telling Trump to get out of here (slow, 3:50)**