In every man's life, there comes a time when he has to speak his mind, and for folk-punk barnstormer Jason Ringenberg, that time is now. "Sometimes you just have to shout from the rooftops, or the barn loft," says Ringenberg of Empire Builders, his fifth solo CD, on Yep Roc Records. A socio-political and historical diatribe to Americans of all stripes, Ringenberg's lyrics draw deeply from his own experiences as an American touring and performing abroad in these war-torn times, without resorting to cheap jingoism. The Illinois-raised father of three, who recently released his first children's album, doesn't pull any punches on Empire Builders. His socially conscious message and his unmistakable roots-punk style combine to form an album unlike anything he has ever attempted, and shows the world that he is more than just an old Scorcher. His voice speaks from America's heartland and offers a statement that supports human dignity, pride in one's country despite its leaders, and belief in the good of individuals. Standard Jewel Case
