THE NAKED FLAME draws upon Ivan Julian's extensive musical background, while exploring some exciting new songwriting territory. Such rousing original compositions as "The Waves," "Hardwired" and "A Young Mans Money" combine raw-nerved electricity with adult lyrical insight, while the bittersweet "You Is Dead" meditates upon loss with warmth and humor. In addition to Julian's own compositions, THE NAKED FLAME features a pair of inspired cover tunes: A haunting reworking of Lucinda Williams "Broken Butterflies" and a bracing reading of "The Beat" originally recorded by Alejandro Escobedo's old new wave outfit the Nuns.