Prophet's follow-up to
The Hurting Business finds him in excellent form, still making American roots music but casting his net a little wider to bring in a few more influences. For example, "Elouise" kicks off with a rhythm straight out of
the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" before evolving into something looser and less threatening, and "Summertime Thing" has the laid-back vibe of
the Young Rascals' "Groovin'" welded to some funky wah-wah guitar influenced by
the Isley Brothers. With a voice suggesting that he's training to be
Tom Waits when he grows older and occasional lyrics (as in "Run Primo Run") inspired by the vintage
Dylan songbook (the Farfisa organ that recurs in the album only furthers the connection), there's a strong romantic streak running through his work, most evident in "No Other Love" and even the growing-older wisdom of "Old Friends." His songwriting continues to grow and his guitar skills (which he tends to hide under a bushel a little), never flashy or grabbing the spotlight, have become mature and sophisticated, a long way from his days in
Green on Red. One of America's great underground artists,
Prophet's slowly blooming into a major figure.