Music review: Greg Graffin, "Cold As the Clay"

Wow. I had no idea what to expect from this, the latest solo effort from Greg Graffin, who has for 25-plus years been the steady but firm, harmonious but biting voice of punk rockers Bad Religion. What I heard blew me away.

First of all — and most noticeably — it's folk music. Which, despite my tendencies toward much harder, faster music, is perfectly fine. Graffin's acoustic guitar blended with his backing band (which, interestly, is three members of The Weakerthans) creates a heavy, layered sort of folk music.

Add in vocals true to Graffin's Bad Religion form — convincing, confident, melodic, whatever the song needs it to be — and get a sound that would convert any long-time punk into a believer in folk.

Much of the album are "oldtime" classics, which is the music Graffin grew up with in the Midwest, gathering 'round with the family and all. His vision of the songs all work in their own ways, from his chilling singing in the somber "Omie Wise" to the blending of vocals with fellow ANTI- label artist Jolie Holland on "Talk About Suffering."

What really stands out, however, are the five songs that Graffin wrote — "Don't Be Afraid to Run," Cold As the Clay," "Highway," "Rebel's Goodbye" and "The Watchmaker's Dial."

"Cold As the Clay" makes you listen again. And again. And again. It's a somber tale but with a hint of optimism. Quite simply, it's folk. But, like he is when belty out politically charged lyrics with BR, Graffin lyrically is brilliant: "Cold as the clay, dark as the mine / Wasting away, blood, sweat and grime / Panning for gold, picking for dimes / Lying in wait for better times."

The same is true for "Don't Be Afraid to Run," the album's opening number, which is another sad story, but offers a way out: "to Run." It places in an oldtime context the concepts of corrupt, power hungry politicians; greedy barons with their "legal papers"; and the folks who allow themselves to be overrun. But alas, don't fret: "Someday redemption will wash everyone / but there's no telling when that day will come / So darlin' don't be afraid to run."

Well, if it's this album, then don't be afraid to pick it up. It apparently had been in the works for quite a few years at the suggestion of BR guitarist/producer/genuis Brett Gurewitz, and thank goodness it came into fruition. I hope Graffin keeps writing folk songs on the side, because I'd love to hear another album with more of his own.