Let’s be honest, politics hasn’t really been a favorite subject of songwriters since the ‘60’s. Maybe the occasional All-Star “cause” song here and there but there’s really been no great rush of artists trying to tie political consciousness and activism directly to their music. Thanks to George W. Bush’s presidency however the times just might be a changing. At the very least, LA-based singer/songwriter Gene Owens is doing his part to put the message back in the music.

On his second album, Fugitive Moments, Owens has pulled off the impressive feat of crafting a tuneful pop record that, as the linear notes state, was inspired by an alternative history book (A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn). Politics and the human condition are center stage throughout – the CD’s packaging even includes a list of Internet addresses for organizations like Greenpeace and Democracy Now. The feel is kind of like what might happen if Matthew Sweet made an album produced by Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.

It’s not just the packaging and message that cast a ‘60’s hue on Fugitive Moments though. The lush pop of “All I Need” and “Never Change” – complete with 12-string guitar and organ – harkens back to the golden age of the Beatles and the Byrds, with the later benefiting from a guest vocal by Rusted Roots’ Liz Berlin. Meanwhile, “Election Day” – with its pessimistic view of both major political parties and harmonica solo – is the sort of anti-establishment anthem that would’ve fit in alongside Dylan and Baez.

Despite the feel, the politics are firmly planted in the here and now. Both “War Machine” and “Pretty Lies” display an unbridled anger at the current president’s view of America and the world that’s palpable.

It’s impossible to say if there will ever again be a time when politically charged music is in vogue, but you have to respect Owens’ forthrightness in laying out his beliefs. And setting a message to music is perfectly fine as long as the music itself actually measures up, which it does here.

It might not bring power to the people, but Fugitive Moments at least provides some good tunes to throw on while fighting the good fight.