The Land That Time Forgot. Chuck Prophet

The only years that Chuck Prophet has not been on this blog has only two reasons: 1) There's no new album to write about; 2) He wasn't touring here in the years in between. Yes, I'm a fan since somewhere in the late 90s when I discovered his solo albums.

The last one was one of the better ones. Melodies and words were on great heights, with 'Jesus Was A Social Drinker' as the top of the pops. All this lauding sounds a bit ominous you might think for The Land That Time Forgot and in a way that is true.

The Land That Time Forgot is a mellow album. The album misses a few songs that will stand out immediately as live staples for Prophet's great live shows. This is however only the start of the story. Chuck Prophet is a great songwriter and songsmith. In the American camp I rate him very high. His songs seem so easy flowing, so simple, so natural, in other words so brilliant. The Land That Time Forgot is full of songs like this. Some slower, some a little faster but always full of these fine details and great melodies. So without hesitation I can state Prophet's 14th solo studio album is another success. Now in his late 50s, he's still at the top of his game and his voice is great. Probably because of his relaxed way of singing and never over doing himself here.

Promo photo

This relaxed feeling is all over the album. It invites to just sit down, throw all other business out of my mind and just listen to Chuck Prophet sing and those who assisted him with recording the songs in San Francisco and after a change of scenery in upstate New York. While listening you will notice that most songs are very elementary. And then comes 'Nixonland'. You will find another elementary song but of the kind that makes it a arch typical Chuck Prophet song. A great, great lyric about that conniving president presented in such a way that it sort of makes him look a bit sad as well. Something that will never happen for the current president. He's beyond saving. The music makes it a great song and at the same time it is less important somehow due to the great lyrics. Something only the true great songsmiths get away with. And without a doubt Chuck Prophet is one of them.

Nearly in every song Prophet manages to strike the right tone and melody. His voice always has that hint of sadness due to the way it sounds. That unavoidably sets a part of the whole. In his music he can easily avoid the sadness when he wants and change into a history lesson, 'Nixonland', a longing for, 'Womankind' or a what if song, 'High As Johnny Thunders'. They all sound convincing. I personally would have loved to have two songs with a little more oomph in them but am fully happy with the twelve songs on offer. It truly seems like the older Chuck Prophet gets, the better and free flowing his songs become. The 10s were a great decade for him musically. The opening of the 20s is just as good, holding a promise for things to come.

Wo.

You can listen to and order The Land That Time Forgot here:

https://chuckprophet.bandcamp.com/album/the-land-that-time-forgot


or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g