Catchy, Classy Rock n'Roll
In summer 2008 Chuck Prophet set out to create an album that examined the state of the American Dream, creating raw, guitar-based tunes that summon up the spirit of modern day rock. In order to realize this dream he headed to the world’s biggest city, Mexico City with a group of musicians and recorded ‘!Let Freedom Ring!’ in eight days.
The result is an album of soulful rock music with plenty of integrity and the fabulous, visceral guitar playing that the former Green on Red musician is best known for. There’s plenty of grit supplied on tracks like ‘Where The Hell is Henry?’ a two minute bluesy tune that steamrolls through your head with verve and gusto, and opener ‘Sonny Liston’s Blues’ which rocks and rolls its way along with bold assurance. The riffs come thick and fast, ready to rip up your expectations and get you on your feet.
Real rock n’roll can be a pretty formulaic affair, and tunes like ‘You and Me Baby (Holding On)’ embody that well-worn formula but give it enough of a sense of purpose for the sentiments to seem just as urgent and spirited as they did in Springsteen’s glory days. ‘Barely Exist’ adds in that rock n’roll necessity, a harmonica, over a fairly minimalist vocal melody that shows off Prophet’s most expressive and emotive vocals as he passes down his learned wisdom to the younger generation. ‘Hot Talk’ struts and swaggers with retro attitude and proves itself to be one of the catchiest and most memorable tunes on the album. There are some less noteworthy numbers, for example the slightly simpering ‘Love Won’t Keep Us Apart’ but there are certainly enough strong tunes to overpower them.
As for the concept album itself, the lyrics do contain some discussion of the state of the US today, but it’s subtle enough to be intelligent rather than overpowering. ‘American Man’ for example describes, “American man with a gun on his brain, on a bloodstained sheet in the Macy’s parade” over whooping vocal harmonies.
‘!Let Freedom Ring!’ is another great musical work from Chuck Prophet, filled with feisty and memorable tracks that will please lovers of real rootsy rock n’roll.