Torn and frayed, the voice of Lucero singer Ben Nichols epitomizes a band that spends half it's time on the highway driving to the next gig. But judging by the fun the Memphis four-piece appears to be having on its fifth a... more »lbum, that road may go on forever. Produced by David Lowry (Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker), the record draws a parallel with its 2005 release Nobody's Darlings, meshing elements of English blues, Southern swamp rock and Bowery Street punk rock-all led by the crashing, thrashing twin guitars of Nichols and the venerable Brian Venable. While songwriter Nichols' can transform Mick Jagger-like between gentle ballads ("She Wakes When She Dreams"), moody love overtures ("The Weight of the Guilt") and straightforward pop songs ("She's Just That Kinda Girl"), his mettle (and the band's) is uncovered in rockers like "I Don't Want To Be the One" and "Sing Me No Hymns." --Scott Holter« less
Torn and frayed, the voice of Lucero singer Ben Nichols epitomizes a band that spends half it's time on the highway driving to the next gig. But judging by the fun the Memphis four-piece appears to be having on its fifth album, that road may go on forever. Produced by David Lowry (Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker), the record draws a parallel with its 2005 release Nobody's Darlings, meshing elements of English blues, Southern swamp rock and Bowery Street punk rock-all led by the crashing, thrashing twin guitars of Nichols and the venerable Brian Venable. While songwriter Nichols' can transform Mick Jagger-like between gentle ballads ("She Wakes When She Dreams"), moody love overtures ("The Weight of the Guilt") and straightforward pop songs ("She's Just That Kinda Girl"), his mettle (and the band's) is uncovered in rockers like "I Don't Want To Be the One" and "Sing Me No Hymns." --Scott Holter
"...pour me a tall glass of whiskey and let's have some fun rock n rollers. Lucero plays it on this album. It's a tasteful product all the way around from the album title, cover, art, pictures, song titles, song choruses, lyrics, guitar licks, lead licks right where you need 'em, f***in' lyrics again, f***in' cymbals with base and guts with f***in'...f***in'...vocals and drums! And 1, 2,3,4's! Let's pull out the fine china and f***in dance on it."
They keep getting better...
Cody | Cleveland, Oh | 12/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This band just keeps putting out better & better material. My favorite album is Tennessee, but this is as good... if not better. In a time of fall out boy (crap in my opinion) being played on radio, its a shame you dont hear these guys. Do yourself a favor (and the band too!) when they come to your city, go and support them."
Great album
Brian A. Rapp | colorado | 09/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Reminds me a bit of Uncle Tupelo with the rough vocals and country-rock. Great songs!"
Another Remarkable Effort
D. O'Brien | San Diego | 04/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I only recently picked up on this band, friend of mine was into Wilco and Uncle Tupelo and I was into The Replacements and Buffalo Tom and The Black Crowes and somehow we ended up finding Lucero.
smoky, raspy, whiskey-tongued and just about perfect. If emotion, passion and grace matter in your music you just might want to pick them up.
And why hasn't anyone drawn comparisons to The Pogues? I swear I hear Shane MacGowan on "On The Way Back Home".
These guys are really nothing short of remarkable."
Their best yet!
Kurt Tarvis | Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec | 01/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lucero has always put out awesome albums, but this is their best. A mixture between Southern Rock, Alternative Country, and Punk is a recipe for quality. Support them, they are awesome."