I'll give Chuck Prophet one thing: he doesn't slouch. He's like Tom Petty if Tom Petty wasn't just going through the motions for the last 20 years. I usually hate topical songs like "Credit"****, but Chuck is a little more creative than I'd expect, like he isn't just writing out of the newspaper. "You've Been Gone"**** makes the best of the dry production with the vocal, rhythm guitar, and wah playing off each other nicely. "Inside Track" makes a nice combination of Black Crowes with Wilco leads. "Last Dance With Mary Jane" clone "Ooh Wee" and the draggy title song derail the middle of the album a bit, but other than these the album has good range, from Sun Volt rockers "22 Filmore" and "Textbook Case", to WXRT radio-friendly "Whole Lot More" and "Till You Came Along", to a couple good slow burners "K-Mart Family Portrait" and closer "The Partying Song" unfortunately relegated to the back end of the album. The better moments on the album aren't going to launch any new musical movements, but as Prophet is driven to sputtering in "Inside Track", they show an artist that loves this music.
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