2009 release. David Lowery, the creative genius behind Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, is back with a great new set of edgy, innovative and original Rock songs. Features guest appearances from Adam Duritz, John Doe and P... more »atterson Hood.« less
2009 release. David Lowery, the creative genius behind Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, is back with a great new set of edgy, innovative and original Rock songs. Features guest appearances from Adam Duritz, John Doe and Patterson Hood.
"Love love everything David Lowery is involved with, but this is by far, one of his best ever. I highly recommend EVERYONE grab a copy of this cd to hear true wordsmithing and rhythm at it's best. Love, "Turn On, Tune In". Should be the national anthem for the year 2009."
One of the Best.
J. D. Rogers | San Rafael, CA | 05/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't care what else comes out this year. This is one of the best Rock and Roll records of 2009, and probably 2008 and 2007 for that matter. Cracker has revisited their roots -- leaving a little taste of their country side, but mostly just straight ahead rock and roll. Great songwriting. Driving, passionate, skillful performances, flawlessly recorded. A must-have. I am really impressed. This could possibly be my favorite Cracker album. It left me wanting more."
Cracker Classic
Brad | 05/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The internets are full of Cracker groupies who, literally, don't dislike anything they have ever done. I'm not afraid to say that I did not care for Greenland much, nor a number of tired songs they play live regularly. I was down on Cracker for a few years now and couldn't be happier with this new release, it's brilliantly fun, classic, and Hickman shines again. Lowery's voice is still in great shape, showing guys in their mid-40's can still rock with the best of them, if they want to. They could play this album from start to finish live and I'd be perfectly happy.
There are legitimate singles here, the title track, "Hey Bret," and the already released "Tune In, Drop Out."
"Friends" produces a chuckle or two, but would be my least favorite, but wow I can't believe how good this is as a whole. Absolutely a top 5 Cracker album.
I am an objective Cracker fan, you don't see that often, and I love this album as much as anything they've ever done. What a surprisingly fun, old school Cracker album that just makes you happy."
Wow. Seriously.
Jonathan Ringlefunkk | Daytona Beach, FL | 05/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I grabbed this album with some hesitancy - not because I've ever really disliked a Cracker album, but because I wasn't sure it was truly Cracker! The packaging (where identifying mainstays Lowery and Hickman was a little bit difficult) and the sticker about a "hit single" on the cover threw me completely.
BUT....
Wow. Easily the hardest rocking Cracker album yet, "Sunrise" is also a strong contender for the best. David Lowery can write lyrics about anything, literally, and make them intriguing, and Johnny Hickman is always an impressive guitarist, but everything just comes together at a whole new level on this album. In some ways, there are the best elements of what Cracker has done in the past, but "Sunrise" is more energized than anything I've heard from them before.
It's hard to pick stand-out tracks (though "We All Shine a Light", "Hey Bret" and "Darling One" would be my first choices if I had a gun to my head!). And the reworking of "Friends" (a track from Johnny Hickman's "Palmhenge" CD) is very cool; I always thought that would sound even better if Cracker took it on.
At every Cracker release, I wonder why this band isn't more popular. This one will probably get by largely unnoticed as well, but I think if any one of theirs since "Kerosene Hat" ever stood a chance of grabbing some well-deserved commercial attention, this is it!"