Half Past Never
Self-Released, 2023
10/10
The Minneapolis native and resident Kevin Bowe has an excellent resume that includes working with the Replacements, Jonny Lang, Etta James, Joe Cocker and Communist Daughter, and here with his excellent band he creates a diverse and accomplished 10 tracks of indie-rock ideas.
The listen leads with the rootsy flavor of “California Sober”, where Bowe’s soft vocals are met with summery melodies and bright vocal harmonies, and “(Put Me Out Of Your) Misery” follows with dreamy folk-rock that’s as harmonic as it is warm.
The halfway point belongs to the rugged yet tuneful “Half Past Never”, where the fluid drums and Ian Anderson’s precise bass give the tune a hint of crunch, while “If I Was You” carries a bit of jangle amid the subtle punk nods of the album’s best.
“Hurt Me Beautiful” and “Another Word For God” exit the listen, where the former comes with some garage rock spirit that benefits from Tim "O’Reagan’s vocal harmonies, and the latter finishes in a intimate moment of soft guitar and poetic storytelling.
The rest of the Prophets include Peter Anderson and Noah Levy on drums, Gordy Johnson (upright bass), Paul Mayasich (slide guitar) and Jeff Victor (keys). Together with Bowe’s guitars, bass, harp, mandolin, keys, vocals, and other odds and ends, they make for a multifaceted version of modern rock that you’re not going to forget anytime soon.
Travels well with: The Lowest Pair- Horse Camp; Jesse Norell- Aorta Borealis