Forever Hasn't Happened Yet

Though punk rock rarely emphasizes a vocalist's emotional range and subtlety, John Doe distinguished himself during the glory days of X as arguably the finest singer that punk has ever spawned. His latest solo release gives him more room to stretch, showcasing a vocal expanse that is equal parts romantic hope, world-weary resignation, and hard-boiled desperation--sometimes all at once, as on "Mama Don't" (sung with his 16-year-old daughter Veronica Jane).

While rarely sounding generic or nostalgic, the music draws from the same blues and country roadhouse roots that X did (and its side project, the Knitters, did even more). The acoustic "Worried Brow" and "Twin Brother" (in harmony with Grant Lee Phillips) spotlight Doe's voice at its most supple. X fans will find that band's spirit renewed in the propulsive "Heartless," powered by Dave Alvin's guitar; the narcotic rush of "Ready" (a cautionary tale); and the songwriting collaboration with former bandmate and wife Exene Cervenka "Hwy 5," with Neko Case serving as Doe's female vocal foil. "There's doom in my heart and blood in your eyes," sings Doe in "The Losing Kind," the noirish opener.

His music may have gotten softer, but John Doe hasn't. --Don McLeese