“White Dove” starts off with the songs played by the collective known as "Rough Church." The first track is called "The Book Junkies," A "wake up and smell the coffee" rocker, punctuated with diamond toned lead guitar riffs. Franco provides chunky and full bodied rhythms, plus a strong and locked in vocal.
Lyrically, Franco also sings about longing for a deeper connection through knowledge. Not only is it a un requited love song, but a shout out to great works of literature.

Next up is "Oriole," another catchy indie pop rock, by way of Led Zeppelin. Adeptly it addresses some rough times Franco had with loss and his own demons. He is sympathetically eluding to our own. Other songs reflect Greg’s high spirited passions, such as Baseball, History, and Politics. For instance, he praises Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela in a song called "He Threw Kryptonite." A Mexican born sports legend, Fernando helped heal cultural wounds by being a latin hero in the "American pastime".

Also, Greg's band Rough Church covers tunes by songwriters like D. Boon of the Minutemen, Neil Finn, and Joe Strummer. R.C. elucidates relatively unknown songs with a certain unique approach, highlighting the lyrics. The Split Enz cover called "Message to My Girl" is done here with a Velvet Underground touch, slowing the tempo down to almost a heartbeat, and starkly emphasizing the words about maturity and love.

The Minutemen cover "Corona" is played with acoustic instruments only. It aims to emphasize the Haiku like lyric written by D. Boon who by many accounts was a "punk rock genius". Boon asserted that a growing and widening economic and social gap was occurring in America during the then president Ronald Reagan's term in the 1980's. Franco reaffirms this notion by covering the song. He seems to be saying that Boon was a prophet because the "trickle down" economic policies continue to this day unabated. The musical interpretation however, is more latin sounding, a cross between Herb Alpert and Johnny Cash.

Jef Hogan, who joined with Greg and Jon to start R.C. in 2004 plays on almost all of the tracks. In addition, New Zealander Daniel Bosher plays swift and hungry drumming, giving Jon Franco the opportunity to switch over to play the lead guitarist role.

Thus, the two pronged guitar attack of Jon and Greg is heard on “Thanks for the Pen.” It's angry song , with full tilt “johnny on the spot” changes and dynamics. It alternates between a jazzy laid back verses featuring melodica, and vibes, to blistering chorus's full of Franco's piss and vinegar vocals. It all results in electric guitars, bass and drums, hurdling into oblivion.

Another track called “Not Pissed Not Hurt” was written by Franco, he says, “to calm my dark sensibilities about love during a fallow time”. It could be called California "cow punk". Featured here is the steady and passionate drumming of Mr. Bosher.

On “You Are a Comet,” Franco sings “it shocked us all when you faded.” It is a tribute to inspiring, but self-destructive writers Spading Grey and Elliot Smith.

Some of the songs were recorded just after the tour, in April 2007. They are presented as raw and live tracks untouched by overdubs. They were recorded by Bob Frisbee in Auckland. Another song called "Reg" is a Neil Young meets The Minutemen inspired indie rocker. It is a song about Greg's grandfather whom he never met, but Franco says he somehow feels his presence.

Also included are out takes from the 2006 "Wandering Bear" sessions. On this remix, Bob Scott plays thunderous bass on "Guarantees." It is a instrumental version, with hip shaking drumming by Tane Tokona, and slither-y Wah Wah guitar by David Kilgour. D.K. who also sang a bit, and played a steady handed tambourine. It has a up tempo sixties feel, relaxed and layered by David's guitar. It surrounds the listener with a kind of psychedelic ether. Lastly, there is a acoustic guitars and harmonica laden instrumental version of "Absolution Song," this time the emphasis is on a sojourn of stark natural sound and space.

What a trip it is for us, as it has been for Franco and friends. Greg Franco's Rough Church and Wandering Bear have taken us on an all encompassing journey. They have collected these songs at various cities and recording studios in Los Angeles, and New Zealand. Rough and Wandering? maybe, but somehow it all comes together sounding more carefully guided than not. It has a natural ending, landing and resting place by the last track called "Sparks From The Universe."

"The White Dove Of The Desert," is solidly in the spirit of indie rocking and mature song writing. It hits "above the mark," with completeness and competency.

Greg Franco returns to New Zealand on May 21st through June 8th to play 20 dates with with Otis Mace. He is coming on to bring his "White Dove of the Desert," solo tour. Mainly he will sing and play acoustic and electric guitar, plus some electronics. He will also read some of his short stories. Greg says he reserves the right to employ a band with bass and drums anytime, if the crowd demands it. Thus on hand to play will be Andrew Mai Tai, drummer for "Otis Mace", plus perhaps Otis himself joining in at the end. Also featured in some towns will be Kedron Parker on viola, melodica and vocals. "The White Dove" is finally yours.