The universal power that hands down vocal cords knew something of Jesse Welles’ future when it gave him a voice that combines a youthful Bob Dylan with a pre-cancer-surgery John Prine and a hint of 1970s-era George Harrison.

That voice fits Welles’ musical style and lyrical content on Masks Off, where the songwriter remains tethered to protest folk music on guitar and harmonica with a full band tossing in country-leaning rock. Against this backdrop, Welles is a societal commentator like Dylan and a quirky dude in the vein of Prine with a side of Harrisonesque spirituality.

Welles is both hilarious and insightful and his lyrics are frequently brilliant and quote-worthy. They are not, however, fodder for a review of Masks Off, as knowing them ahead of time might lessen their initial impact.

Welles combines rapping with talkin’ blues and Allman Brothers-inspired guitar harmony on the title track; channels the Georgia Satellites on “The Ballad of Big Balls;” brings “All Things Must Pass” into the present on “Everything Must Die;” and skewers said present on the arena-ready “Red” and the laugh-so-you-don’t-cry therapy of “Join Ice.”

These are modern songs in the grand folk-music tradition dating to Woody Guthrie. While it’s a shame such songs are still necessary, it’s a blessing we have someone like Welles to create them.