Folk artists are usually classified as soft-spoken, socially conscious individuals who write beautiful, sensitive tunes that require a dictionary to interpret their superficial metaphoric lyrics.

Though some critics have tried to put put him in that category, socially conscious is about as close to folk as Stuart Davis gets.

“That’s where I feel the most alienation with pop music today,” Davis said in a press release. “I’m not against good metaphor or symbolism, but I am against making album after album of vague images and lyrics that can be interpreted in any way possible.”

Often compared to Bob Dylan, Davis would rather not be known as your typical folk artist. His latest release, Nomen est Numen (Latin for “to name is to know”), occasionally delves into the folkdom world but is too unconventional to put into that category.

For instance the opening track, “Progress,” begins in a style reminiscent of Harry Chapin but then explodes into a punk-like anthem similar to the Sex Pistols.

Those associated with the Green Movement would also appreciate the lyrics to “Progress” where Davis sings “Once upon a time, a bowl of leaches cured us of our every ill. No such thing as the uninsured, when poultry paid our doctor bills.”

Though Davis can be extremely sarcastic at times, he can be blatantly honest as well. For instance on “Female Friends,” he comes right out and says, “If I act decent, that’s pretend. I really want to sleep with my female friends.”

With his beautiful tribute to his parents, Davis shows his teary eyed side on “Guardians,” but he also humorously attacks the artistic elite and NEA on “Stephen’s Exhibition.”

“I’m fascinated with things in all our lives that are disturbing that never get talked about,” Davis said. “What sense does that make? Putting things in a zone that no one can touch only makes it worse.”

His cleverness even shows in the fine print of his albums where he says that “unauthorized reproduction of this CD will deplete the rain forests, encourage the torture of political prisoners and make your mother very angry.”

With five full-length albums under his belt, the 25-year-old Minnesotan really shows his songwriting-performing prowess at his live shows.

Backed on his CDs by the Twin Cities power trio, Hindu Rodeo, Davis usually opts to perform coffee houses and college campuses with just his acoustic guitar.

“I have more fun performing than at any time in my life,” Davis said. “I just crave the interaction and the exchange going on with people and with the music. I think it’s the biggest high in the world.”

He even promises a Shetland pony for every fan, venue and radio station.

So, maybe you won’t get a pony. But you will hear some smart, creatively-crafted music when a solo and very talented Stuart Davis plays The Maintenance Shop Friday, Nov. 1 at 9 p.m.

Tickets are $5, $6 day of the show. And you won’t have to worry about getting caught with possession of a fake ID while being underage in a bar. The M-shop, as always, is all ages.