Chuck Prophet

As co-leader of trailblazing Americana outfit Green On Red, Prophet was successful more times than not in his attempts to restore American rock to its pre-new wave glory. Now more than a decade since the end of that band, he has become an in-demand collaborator and steadily built a cult following for his solo career. This outing, his sixth, is a diverse but rocking affair, with plenty of styles vying for attention. That's probably a result of the experience he has gained in the meantime, but it's also clear that Prophet still wears his fondness for Dylan on his sleeve. A mid-'60s crackle dominates the overall sound, punctuated by Acetone organ and other vintage instruments. Yet there's also a strong classic Memphis soul vibe apparent in the occasional string and horn parts, as well as Prophet's own tasteful guitar playing. It may be unfair to say the Prophet doesn't seem to believe in any music made outside of his 1965 to '72 frame of reference, but one certainly gets that impression from listening to this album. That's not a bad thing, at least once in a while.