Artist bio

Cracker formed from the ashes of indie paragons Camper Van Beethoven, as lead singer/guitarist David Lowery looked toward a future in more rootsy rock. He and guitarist Johnny Hickman (part-time CVB contributor) formed the core of the new group, which released its debut, full of basically country rock alternative (not alt.country) music, in 1992.

"Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)" introduced the group to the public alongside a number of less visible, but superior songs on the group's debut like "St. Cajetan" and "Another Song About The Rain." But it was Cracker's second album, Kerosene Hat, that proved to be the group's finest hour. Preceded by an impressive EP, Tucson, which distilled and expanded Cracker's talents, Kerosene Hat was a breakthrough of sorts, highlighted by the hits "Low" and "Get Off This," but also featuring such stellar tracks as "Nostalgia," "Take Me Back To The Infirmary," and an inspired cover of the Grateful Dead's "Loser."

Cracker put out two more albums in the '90s, The Golden Age and Gentlemen's Blues, both of which found the group retreating further into its country-rock roots and diminishing any sort of alternative fan base it had grown. Then came a greatest-hits album, usually the sort of thing that would accompany a band's announcement of breaking up. But lo, in 2002, a fifth album, "Forever" seemed to wake Cracker up again. And perhaps Lowery and Hickman's tale is not yet fully told.

Albums by this artist

Garage D'Or (2000)

Gentleman's Blues (1998)

Cracker

Gentleman's Blues

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» JEFF ROSE | STAFF WRITER

Cracker Gentleman's Blues Virgin, 1998 RiYL: Camper Van Beethoven, Wallflowers, Wilco, Son Volt

Gentleman's Blues, Cracker's 1998 attempt to regain the glory of its 1993 release Kerosene Hat, is best described as consistent. Unfortunately, the album is consistently mediocre.

The 16-song album lacks intensity. Nearly every song misses in its attempt to capture emotion, whether it slips musically, lyrically, or through the rapid degeneration of singer/songwriter David Lowery.

Lowery: What the fuck happened to Lowery? His songs used to have a wicked sense of humor, mysteriously vacant on this album. The insight that proliferated in songs such as "Low," "Teen Angst" and "Movie Star," seem further away now than ever before. His voice has become deeper and less playful than during his days as Camper Van Beethoven's frontman, and the music itself lacks depth.

In the song "My Life Is Totally Boring Without You," Lowery sings "My life is totally boring with you around" in the first line and at the end of every stanza. The chorus repeats "My life is totally boring without you around" interspersed with the occasional " My life is totally empty without you around."

The result is empty and exhaustingly repetitive. It is sappy pop, void of Lowery's caustic wit, lacking originality and, yes, totally boring.

Songs such as "Star," "James River," "Been Around the World," and "Lullabye" are slow songs by Lowery, trying to reclaim the blues. But the songs are too simple. Under the weight of the predictable chord changes and riff-based songs, the rest of the band falters without direction.

The only highlights are the songs penned by guitarist Johnny Hickman. "Hold of Myself" and "Trials & Tribulations" put the blues on edge. The listener can hear Hickman's resourcefulness as he plays simple counter melodies.

But these songs are lost between lame attempts by Lowery such as "The World is Mine" and disasters such as "I Want Out of the Circus." These are not Lowery's best songs: they speak on a personal level without revelation. Words without revelation lack retribution. Blues without retribution becomes cliched and worthless.

Cracker is known for its product-oriented CD covers. Instead of sardines or the kerosene hat, this album boasts a whiskey label. For fans of David Lowery and Cracker, this bottle is empty. Even Hickman's few highlights cannot save this disk from being completely uncompelling.

JEFF ROSE |