Prepare Me Well: An Introduction to Jeff Lang

Steeped in the traditions of such diverse figures as Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits and Ry Cooder - yet always with an eye on the next level of innovation - Lang falls into a category that is no category at all.

An emotionally charged alchemy of equal parts blues-drenched emotion, folk storytelling, world-music inflections and roots-rock energy, his sound could be described as "disturbed folk,” but in truth it speaks for itself far better than any label can.

Despite Lang's Aussie roots, critics on this side of the world have taken notice in recent years. Dirty Linen has characterized him as "often hard and raw, sometimes sweet and melodic, and always innovative,” while Rolling Stone has heralded him as "Australia's best roots-music artisan.” Earthy folk-rocker John Butler described Lang's live show as something akin to "being in at church for three hours - a totally sacred event,” adding that "he's the man as far as I'm concerned.”