That Joe Fletcher is a natural storyteller shouldn't surprise anyone. After all, he used to be an English teacher. It's the intensity of these stories that can sometimes take you aback, the power that comes from one dude, standing alone on a stage with an acoustic guitar.

Based in Nashville by way of Rhode Island, Fletcher crafts intricate tunes that incorporate everything from folk to ominous roots country to straight up rock 'n' roll. They could come from almost any time in the past 30 years, yet still have an urgency about them. It's the lyrics that get you, the complexities of which are sometimes hidden by the musical styling. They paint the sort of deep portraits of American life many songwriters allude to but which few accomplish. There's darkness down there, but with it humor and, absolutely, a damn good time.

This song, "Florence, Alabama," premiering right here, is the first single off Fletcher's forthcoming solo album, You've Got the Wrong Man, out September 23. Listen below: