Chuck Prophet

Temple Beautiful (Yep Roc)

Chuck Prophet’s last disc, 2009’s Let Freedom Ring!, had a sociopolitical spine informed by the city he chose for recording, Mexico City. Now comes an homage to San Francisco, the guitarist-singer-songwriter’s hometown for nearly 30 years. Temple Beautiful is a long-defunct punk club where he attended his first shows, a place among a list of city references scattered throughout: Willie Mays, Harvey Milk, the Castro District. As with any Prophet effort, themes are at times tangential to the rock, and he rocks in a way that seems almost anachronistic these days. For instance, Roy Loney of the Bay Area’s Flamin’ Groovies adds vocals to the title track and it’s glam enough to sound like a long-lost Mott the Hoople cut. “Who Shot John” builds to a torrid conclusion, while “The Left Hand and the Right Hand” sounds like Tom Petty without the edges sanded off. Another glittering accomplishment from a hell of a consistent artist. (Sat., 12mid, Continental Club)

***.5

This article appears in March 16 • 2012.

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