Ruff Shod/Nettwerk

Though Simmerkane II is billed as the solo debut of Chadwick Stokes, the truth is that it is anything but a debut. Charles Stokes Urmston has been making music since 1995; first with the band Hermit Thrush, which begot the band Dispatch, and later with State Radio. Less politically charged than State Radio and folksier than Dispatch, these 13 tracks were inspired by his freight train travels across the United States. The catchy “Adelaide” is metaphoric for falling in love with Lady Liberty and includes a boy/girl vocal chorus. Fellow Massachusetts native Carly Simon provides sparse, hallowed backing vocals on “Rainsong” and the lithesome “Spider and Gioma.” The lovely horn-laced ode, “Black Bottle,” is a plea – directed toward a traveling companion who is perhaps an alcoholic – beseeching one not to drink from the black bottle, as we’re almost at the promised land.