Derek Webb examines Western politics on latest album.

CRITICALLY acclaimed American singer/songwriter Derek Webb is set to release his 'Mockingbird' album, dubbed "his most controversial project to date." The album, his third with INO Records, touches on subjects such as social justice, poverty, war and politics. Said Webb, "We have a history of not loving people well. We live in a country that was founded on genocide against Native Americans. We haven't loved well and a lot of people don't like Americans. We need to own up to some responsibility there, we need to look at why, and we need to let that inform how we're making decisions for the future." Concerning the political aspect of 'Mockingbird', he continued, "If you look, Jesus doesn't go straight down one party line. We try to fit him in our Western politics, but he wouldn't land on either side." Living in the middle is something Webb sees Jesus' model and to let go of our idea that "Christian" and "Republican" go hand in hand. "We, too, have to be willing to move in and out of political systems and parties if we're going to follow him."