Hurting Business

Now five records into a solo career, the former guitarist for Green on Red leaves his stripped-down, bluesy past behind, adding a score of Mellotron, saxophone, synthesizer, and sampling for a more urban mosaic. The result is a soulful medley where Prophet continues to follow the Dylan book of songwriting, arming his characters with compelling story lines and clever wordplay. The title track's account of a broken relationship proves exultant thanks to a playful Farfisa organ and splendid backing vocals by Prophet's wife, Stephanie Finch. Prophet mimics Tom Waits over a fierce J.J. Cale riff on "La Paloma." And radio programmers looking for a hit should check out "Dyin' All Young," a mother's ode to her young son's death. It's an instantly catchy, though forever haunting ballad that propels Chuck Prophet up another rung on the ladder of underappreciated songwriters. --Scott Holter