Joe Pug – Messenger

[video via]

Joe Pug is a bit of a home-town hero for me. After college, I moved from Chicago to Milwaukee while JP slugged his way through years of Chicago open-mic circuits. This eventually paid off, but that’s all old news.

Messenger (out 2/16), Joe’s second full length album, sees a confident young song writer who’s work-horse like tour schedule has paid off. Where Joe flourishes is in his story telling. This is evident on the album’s standout track, “How Good You Are” (video above). Joe is at his best when standing on his soap box, in a dylan/guthrie-esque (the tired comparison applies here) swagger and miff, commanding you to feel something. The album’s first single “Sharpest Crown”, below. Go see a show, this kid is the real-deal-holyfield live.

mp3 – Joe Pug – Sharpest Crown

previously on Joe Pug:

Seizure Chicken Interviews Joe Pug at Chicago’s Schubas

Joe Pug gives away new EP “In The Meantime” – Free!

Joe Pug – 6 Shows, 1 Night