Review: Roots rock and historical topics from Chuck Prophet

Chuck Prophet, 'œThe Land That Time Forgot'ť (Yep Roc)

Chuck Prophet goes history channeling on 'œThe Land That Time Forgot,'ť and not just with his roots-rock sound.

'œJust last night I fantasized I was in a time machine,'ť he sings, which may explain songs about the Great Depression, Presidents Lincoln and Nixon, and the New York Dolls' late guitar hero. There's even a reference to a stereo. The effective thematic thread serves as an argument for albums as delivery systems even in 2020.

The subject matter pushes Prophet more toward pop. His wise-guy tenor hasn't changed, and is the perfect match for lines like, 'œYou're headed for prison, you know.'ť But retro horns and chiming guitars provide sunny support as Prophet remembers his father on 'œBest Shirt On,'ť and the ode to escape 'œWaving Goodbye'ť features one of several arresting melodies.

The mood becomes melancholy when Prophet sings about Lincoln on 'œPaying My Respects to the Train,'ť while dark humor fills 'œNixonland.'ť Prophet turns to the current president on the final cut, 'œGet Off the Stage,'ť and concludes Donald Trump is also history.