Soap and Water

Chuck Prophet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B000URDE4C
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,635 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Much like his work with seminal L.A. band Green on Red, Chuck Prophet's first new album in three years, Soap and Water, defies categorization. Soap and Water moves deftly from Americana and rock to R&B, molding styles at will. A true renaissance rocker, Prophet is a writer, producer and musician who helped define Los Angeles' Paisley Underground scene and open the door for alt.country's rise to prominence in the 1990s. Prophet's dark undercurrents and mythic persona have coupled with his seat-of-the-pants creative philosophy to make him one of the most sought-after songwriters in music today. He's laid down sessions with Warren Zevon, had his songs recorded by Solomon Burke and produced/written for Kelly Willis, yet Prophet is at his most potently distilled when writing and recording for his solo projects. "When I get some kind of inspirational virus, I follow it through to its conclusion." In the case of Chuck Prophet, it's the Soap and Water that's contagious.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great listen, December 14, 2007

By 

A. Helfer (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Soap and Water (Audio CD)

Chuck Prophet's had a pretty big year. He produced and performed on Kelly Willis's excellent Translated From Love, and he pulled together this collection of gems.

Another reviewer here panned this release because it apparently isn't high art on a par with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony or Picasso's Guernica. (But that reviewer is also a Sade fan. 'Nuff said.) Keeping things in perspective, however, this is a fun and diverse bunch of songs to listen to. Those familiar with Prophet will not be disappointed. His impressive songwriting skills continue, and each song is distinct and engaging. Prophet's vocals--while distinctly his own--recall the school of Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Frank Zappa. Nothing showy, but he conveys real feeling, not just spit and polish. The production is pretty low key, but it's above bare bones, with basic synths and strings tastefully supplying additional texture to some of the tracks. And then there's his playing. Great stuff. I'm digging it. It's well worth checking out Soap and Water. If you want to hear more, search for his name on NPR's website -- he's done a few interviews, etc., and played a few tunes in the NPR studios with his band; you can listen to some tracks via their website. I'd say the world's a better place with this album and Chuck Prophet in it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever, catchy lyrics paired with great tunes, January 26, 2009

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Soap and Water (Audio CD)

The idea of calling an album "Soap and Water" seems so obvious as we all use soap and water for all manner of things, and the music that Chuck Prophet has included here likewise encompasses all manner of things.

Mr. Prophet, who somehow has eluded becoming the next big thing, writes clever, catchy lyrics and pairs them great tunes--again, a classic pairing like soap and water. This is the kind of CD you can put on for a group of friends and keep a smug air as one by one folks drift over to ask what's playing. There is much to enjoy here: great guitar, just-right background vocals, bright melodies, and twisted humor.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique sound and original lyrics., January 11, 2009

By 

D. V. Overturf (Murphysboro, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Soap and Water (Audio CD)

Prophet's "Soap & Water" is a terrific collection of songs from an original voice. The casual recitation of the very personal lyrics, laid over the plucky, catchy tunes, makes for a great combination. I listen to the CD regularly and truly enjoy his wry take on relationships. "Soap & Water" is in the top 5 of CDs that I have heard in the last year.