I don?t agree with you(Katie + Dogbert). I prefer Cold as The Clay or Don?t Be Afraid To Run. I just think the song is good. The songs from AL are also much better than Watchmaker?s Dial which is a beautiful song but doesn?t have the "mistery" or the "feeling" seen in songs like 'Predicament' or 'Maybe She Will'. These songs I think are more unpredictable in terms of melody as well. But I don?t argue that Watchmaker?s dial is a good song.

Dogbert, I could't agree with you more...that first listen from that crappy-quality mp3 got me hooked, too. It's a great song. When I saw him sing it live and he belted out those high notes (well, higher than normal for him I guess) it gave me chills. The song is built perfectly for his voice.

I don't know... Maybe you could argue that AL was more innovative or imaginative but I tell you no song off that album matches the top quality of The Watchmaker's Dial. Wow, just wow! I hear everybody praising Don't Be Afraid to Run, Cold As The Clay or Talk About Suffering (all great songs and again unmatched by anything off AL) but let's start talking about this 'hidden' gem please! The Watchmaker's Dial is just perfect. One of those very few rare songs that don't need to grow on you in subsequent listens. I realized there was something special about that song from the very first time I heard it (that mp3 of crappy quality from one of Greg's solo gigs in Germany).

Good record, not as good or original as AL... Then again it's different, but the whole record lacks je ne sais quoi...

I completely see what you guys say. I am a blind fan who tries and like all he/br do. also, greg's voice is just so damn good, i can listen to these songs over and over and over etc. but ya, if you're not into the whole americana/whatever genre this is, then ya don't like it. i'm a sucker though, i have to admit.

I agree with you. Another thing I'm not to happy about are songs with a telling story like "omie wise". Those songs are beautiful the first or second time you listen to it. But I never want to hear that same story over and over again.

my short review of the new G. Graffin album:
They album is good, but American Lesion is much better, is much more original as well. I respect Graffin?s idea to play traditional folk songs but he could do that with his friends drinking wine or a "Caipirinha" in a sunday afternoon and the record an amateur "demo" instead of putting them in his second solo album.
And also, his new compositions in the album are good, but nothing more than good. It?s a little bit frustrating hear his new songs after hearing songs like "Fate?s Cruel Hand" and "Maybe She Will".
I know that the "Bad Religion fanatic blind fans" will disagree with me, but some fans have already the same opinion I have.

So there was an article in The Metro on Greg Graffin today (at least in the Boston edition.) They referred to him as "the former lead singer of Bad Religion." Wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

You know what? That 'country shirt' is what looks like our pyjamas over here in the UK. Hahaha.

A country-ish shirt with the first couple buttons undone. Grrrrowl.

simple and to the point, interesting point about returning to the roots of americana to in a sense, start over. yet again, greg proves his worthiness of a musical icon. he even has a country-ish shirt.