Chuck Prophet

It's easy to think that Chuck Prophet wouldn't trade the many ups and downs his career has undergone since he co-fronted Green On Red in the '80s. Still, it doesn't seem right that his name is rarely mentioned alongside his rightful peers: Alejandro Escovedo and Lucinda Williams. Let Freedom Ring, Prophet's 11th solo album, is easily his best since '02s soulful No Other Love. Recorded in Mexico with a band anchored by Ernest "Boom" Carter ― Springsteen's Born To Run-era drummer ― Prophet is at the top of his game throughout, crafting each track around subtle yet resonant guitar lines, and witty, Dylan-esque observations. It's the kind of American heartland rock that Tom Petty has made redundant, yet Prophet thankfully hasn't gotten the message. He simply keeps getting better, as songs like "Barely Exist" and "Love Won't Keep Us Apart" attest.