I have no hesitation in recommending 'Millport' to all lovers of good music.

If you ever want a definition of the word "juxtaposed", then look no further than Greg Graffin's third solo album 'Millport'. Graffin, professor and author, is best known as the lead singer of American Punk Rockers Bad Religion; however, 'Millport', though co-written and produced by fellow BR member Brett Gurewitz (founder of Epitaph Records, of which Anti-Records is a sub-label) and featuring members of another famed Los Angeles-area Punk band Social Distortion, is a Country album. Yes, you read that right folks, a Country album by an American Punk super-group!

'Millport' is Graffin's third solo album following on from 1997's 'American Lesion' and 2006's 'Cold As The Clay', and he states "Millport is my exploration of the paradox between getting older and remaining relevant".

From the opening bars of 'Backgrounds Of My Mind' there is no mistaking the style of music on offer here. 'Too Many Virtues' feels like a distant cousin to The Eagles classic 'Peaceful Easy Feeling', and my personal favourite is the sombre rearrangement of Norman Blake's classic 'Lincoln's Funeral Train'; it's a real dramatic piece of music.

The ten song album clocks in at around thirty-two minutes; most of the songs are short and snappy, whether it's the Gospel-inspired 'Time Of Need', the knee-slapping, cotton-picking, yee-haa Country of 'Echo On The Hill', or the Americana of the title track and 'Sawmill', the latter being very reminiscent of John Mellencamp, having similar literary qualities. Graffin has an incredible ability to condense his storytelling into short compelling sound bites. For proof of this, just listen to the excellent 'Shotgun' which appears to last three times its actual length. If you have any soul, then 'Making Time' and 'Waxwings' are sure to bring a smile to your face.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to this predominantly Country release by the Rock Fraternity, and conversely, how the traditional Country fans will take to a bunch of Punk Rockers producing such a classy album. They say that variety is the spice of life, and the same adage can definitely be applied to music. Therefore, I have no hesitation in recommending 'Millport' to all lovers of good music.

Mark Donnelly