Some feel that classic country artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, and George Jones are the originators of punk music. Their music went against the grain as they sang about drugs, booze, and women and questioned authority, all topics mainstream society didn’t want finding their way into young listeners’ ears. We have seen this connection between punk and country show up over the years with Hank III, Mike Ness, Jonny 2 Bags, Eddie Spaghetti, and now Chuck Ragan.

With his punk-infused rock band Hot Water Music taking time off, Ragan wasted no time pursuing a solo career as he dabbled in the world of American roots music. On his latest, Till Midnight, the move in that direction is complete as Ragan delivers an album loaded with country twang, jangly guitars, bluesy rhythms, and his guttural Springsteen-esque growl. Enlisting several friends (Jenny O, David Hidalgo Jr, Ben Nichols, and Dave Hause), Ragan has put together the album listeners have been waiting for.  Singing about what is the worst that could happen to a couple on a night out on the town, the album starts strong with “Something May Catch Fire” and just gets better from there. From the rocking “Revved,” to the twangy “Wake With You” and the jangly “Vagabond,” Ragan puts his heart and soul into each tune as he sings about losing, finding, and wanting love.

From start to finish, this record will captivate the listener. Ragan’s songwriting has evolved as he creates a sound that is familiar and comfortable. There is a down-home feel to his music which makes it that much more enjoyable to listen to. The songs are not that far from what you get from Hot Water Music, just with a little violin and pedal steel added to the mix.

(SideOneDummy Records, PO Box 2350, Hollywood, CA 90078)