Cracker

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.

Album reviews

Garage D'Or
Virgin (2000)
Garage D'Or is a solid summary of Cracker's career that may help their reputation even if it fails to make them back the money they no doubt owe their label after Age and Gentleman's bombed.

Gentleman's Blues
Virgin (1998)
Gentleman's Blues, Cracker's 1998 attempt to regain the glory of its 1993 release Kerosene Hat, is best described as consistent.