Lucero-Women and Work
For those not familiar, Lucero is an alternative country band from Memphis Tennessee. Over the course of their nine studio albums they have moved from an alt country/punk sound to the current country soul of Women and Work. The mere fact that a band in a musical category that can be so pigeon holed and resistant to change-by its own fans-can be allowed to grow and evolve is an extraordinary achievement. This makes Lucero one of the more interesting bands out there and a new release is always highly anticipated. Each album is a little bit different, building on the record before it. The trouble is, sometimes they miss the mark.
So what about the new record then? Well, as mentioned the punk leanings are not on display here, except in look and attitude, which is quite noticeable. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it is missed. However, much of what makes the Lucero sound is still very much intact. Songs of longing, survival, frustration and the tetemporary fix? Check. Whiskey and cigarette vocals? Check. Whiskey drenched music? Check. Honest, from the gut lyrics? Check. So what's missing? Fire.
Every song on Women and Work is good, none are great. This is troubling because so many of them should be. The whole thing just sounds a little lax, like the band never quite found their groove. Maybe the sessions went on too long and the guys just got burned out. Or maybe they were trying too hard for a certain sound they never achieved. Perhaps Lucero are trying to reach that well deserved mass audience that 2009's excellent 1372 Overton Park inexplicably didn't deliver. I don't know what the reason is, but this material just falls a little flat.
Again, the songs are good. There are many bright spots, but nothing really shines. It may be a good place to start, and I am certain to revisit this disc. It's a great nightcap to a long day, and a good way to ease yourself into the morning after. I guess the long and short of it is that Lucero could do better, but you could do a whole lot worse.
Key songs: On My Way Downtown, Women And Work, Juniper, When I Was Young, Like Lightning.
31/2 Daves
visit http://luceromusic.com/
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Recent Release: Bruce Springsteen-Wrecking Ball
Okay, finally got a new CD to review. Let's go.
First of all, this is not an E Street Band release, it is Bruce solo. There are E Street elements, of course, but it's not that kind of record, so all you fanatics can consider yourselves duly warned. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about the new record, "Wrecking Ball".
I wasn't too excited when I first picked popped this in the player. I'd heard the first track/single, "We Take Care Of Our Own" and liked it, but found it to be Bruce by numbers. My fear was that the entire record would be more of the same. I found his last CD, "Working On A Dream" to be disappointing, not living up to its own potential or delivering as a follow up to the great "Magic" CD from a few years back. So I had a little bit of trepidation upon first listen.
Well, it turns out I needn't have worried. Bruce by numbers? "Wrecking Ball" is anything but. This is a powerful, direct, emotional slice of life that is exciting, thought provoking, and a grand artistic statement about our life and times. This album should be put in a time capsule to demonstrate to future generations what life was like in 2012. It's that good. Topical but not political, Springsteen explores the collective American psyche through topics such as patriotism, faith, economic woes, employment or the lack thereof, love, and the hope that lingers and shines its light even in the darkest times.
But it's not just the lyrics or songwriting prowess on display that makes this album stand out. Bruce Springsteen has managed to (finally) make a solo album that not only stands toe to toe with the E Street stuff, but becomes a whole other living breathing entity. He combines the rock stylings we're used to hearing from him with Celtic influence, Gospel, Americana, and cool drum loops and effects to make something truly unique. Yes, Bruce has taken us down some of these avenues before (with varying degrees of success), but this is where those roads all meet and reveal a destination greater than the journey.
Some may not care much for the departure in sound, but these are largely the people who believe that Springsteen hasn't done anything worthwhile since 1983. So if you can open your mind and ears, this is an album worth using both to explore. Genuine fans should love it and if you're not a fan, well. this just might do the trick.
Key songs: "Shackled And Drawn", "Death To My hometown", "Wrecking Ball", "Rocky Ground", "Land Of Hopes And Dreams"
Rating 5 out of 5 Daves
Visit: http://brucespringsteen.net/
P.S.-Due to possible changes in laws governing the Internet, I shall not be posting anymore songs until I know what's safe to post. I will link to official websites (as above) so the reader can investigate further.
First of all, this is not an E Street Band release, it is Bruce solo. There are E Street elements, of course, but it's not that kind of record, so all you fanatics can consider yourselves duly warned. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about the new record, "Wrecking Ball".
I wasn't too excited when I first picked popped this in the player. I'd heard the first track/single, "We Take Care Of Our Own" and liked it, but found it to be Bruce by numbers. My fear was that the entire record would be more of the same. I found his last CD, "Working On A Dream" to be disappointing, not living up to its own potential or delivering as a follow up to the great "Magic" CD from a few years back. So I had a little bit of trepidation upon first listen.
Well, it turns out I needn't have worried. Bruce by numbers? "Wrecking Ball" is anything but. This is a powerful, direct, emotional slice of life that is exciting, thought provoking, and a grand artistic statement about our life and times. This album should be put in a time capsule to demonstrate to future generations what life was like in 2012. It's that good. Topical but not political, Springsteen explores the collective American psyche through topics such as patriotism, faith, economic woes, employment or the lack thereof, love, and the hope that lingers and shines its light even in the darkest times.
But it's not just the lyrics or songwriting prowess on display that makes this album stand out. Bruce Springsteen has managed to (finally) make a solo album that not only stands toe to toe with the E Street stuff, but becomes a whole other living breathing entity. He combines the rock stylings we're used to hearing from him with Celtic influence, Gospel, Americana, and cool drum loops and effects to make something truly unique. Yes, Bruce has taken us down some of these avenues before (with varying degrees of success), but this is where those roads all meet and reveal a destination greater than the journey.
Some may not care much for the departure in sound, but these are largely the people who believe that Springsteen hasn't done anything worthwhile since 1983. So if you can open your mind and ears, this is an album worth using both to explore. Genuine fans should love it and if you're not a fan, well. this just might do the trick.
Key songs: "Shackled And Drawn", "Death To My hometown", "Wrecking Ball", "Rocky Ground", "Land Of Hopes And Dreams"
Rating 5 out of 5 Daves
Visit: http://brucespringsteen.net/
P.S.-Due to possible changes in laws governing the Internet, I shall not be posting anymore songs until I know what's safe to post. I will link to official websites (as above) so the reader can investigate further.
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