There are few words that can elucidate how much this writer enjoys and appreciates the songwriting and musicality of Massachusetts singer-songwriter Mark Erelli. If there’s a Mt. Rushmore of artists, he’s definitely on it. Last week in celebration of America 250 Erelli issued a surprise release: Love + Protest: Songs for America on his Bandcamp.

Featuring two brand new originals, one live song and an unreleased 2006 remix, the album features a hand-selected collection of Erelli’s songs of protest released over the last three decades of his career. What’s most appealing about the album is that if Erelli is new to you, this might just be the perfect introduction.

Erelli, who has a master’s degree in evolutionary biology, is also a gifted essayist and wrote one for this album. The essay is succinct but sensational and is shared below:

There is a fertile American musical tradition of holding ourselves accountable to our founding principles in song. I’ve never shied away from honest stories in my art, and I could make for the case that all my songs are, in essence, protest songs. This is a collection of a dozen of the most obvious ones, bookended by a pair of unreleased songs that speak to my faith and love in America.

My concept of patriotism encompasses both my love of country and my belief that any country worth loving is always striving to deliver on the promise of its founding ideals for all its citizens. While there is much to celebrate as we mark its 250th birthday this year, there is plenty of work to do before we fully deliver on the promise of America. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs–many of which are “works in progress” versions – just like this country we love. Here’s to a better tomorrow.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of this compilation will go to benefit Artists For Humanity, a Boston-based non-profit harnessing the power of art, mentorship and paid professional experiences to inspire teens to build their future.

While you’re on Bandcamp, take 40 minutes and listen to his latest release Spring Green. (NOTE: the album appears on all DLS’s except Spotify, stick to Bandcamp, they need your money most). While it’s vernal title suggests a bubbly effort Spring Green is actually more of a spartan, wintry collection. But the vocals and the lyrics are some of Erelli’s best to date.