Singer/Songwriters are as abundant as clouds across an overcast sky. They tend to blend together without distinction. Every so often, however, there is a break from which the sun shines. The effect is beautiful, heavenly and inspiring. 23 year old Joe Pug’s Nation of Heat EP is such a ray of light. The songs are stripped down, naked; guitar, vocal, harmonica and banjo. Pug’s lyrics are immediate without the obtuseness or camouflage typically associated with the genre. On Hymn #101, universal reflection of one’s own merit is posed with frank eloquence “I’ve come here to get high, to do more than just get by; I’ve come to test the timbre of my heart”. I Do My Father’s Drugs sees through the distinctions claimed my all generations and focuses on the common themes of each. “You will see me at the protest, but you’ll notice that I drag. I burn my father’s flag.” Lots of thinking stuff here; wrapped in accessible tunes that demand repeat listening.

If Pug continues to grow and evolve from this initial brilliant offering, he may very well turn into pure light by the time his kids start doing his drugs.

Feeding from the trough of: Bob Dylan, John Prine, Jesse Winchester

Play MP3: I Do My Father’s Drugs

WWW: joepugmusic.com

Look Ma Joe Pug’s Nation of Heat EP!