Lucero - 1372 Overton Park
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Record Label: Universal/Republic
After six albums and enough praise to light up the Memphis skyline, Lucero is still jonesin' for more. Telling stories of dead-end lives over a haze of bar smoke and whiskey shots, the Tennessee quintet combines a bit of the familiar with a unique sound that ultimately lifts their major-label debut, 1372 Overton Park above their prior works. Yep, it might be hard to believe, but for a band who continues to earn respect and noteworthy acclaim with every impending record, it's good to know that after a three year wait and a big move to the majors, Lucero has yet to lose any ground.
Consider 1372 Overton Park as an unofficial love letter to the Memphis soul sound, driven by Ben Nichols' gruff vocals and odes to the hard-livin' ways of people heading down an endless road of pain. Okay, it's certainly nothing overwhelmingly cheery, but Lucero aren't here to lift spirits -- they're here to drink them. "Smoke" plays like a darker version of "Born to Run," and "What Are You Willing to Lose" is not only Lucero's best song, but contains a killer hook and some of Nichols' most memorable lyrics ("So what if all my heroes are the losing kind?"). This is heavy stuff Tom Waits or Bob Dylan would be able to tackle any day of the week, but Lucero offer it up in such a unique fashion, full of blissfully robust lyrics and swirls of jamboree-themed brilliance.
"Sounds of the City" kicks through on an organ-tinged, horn-backed ode to where the band found inspiration, and if the title wasn't tribute enough to legends like Elvis Presley (the address is named after a building where the King took karate lessons in the 1970's), the inclusion of Jim Spake certainly is. Spake's arrangement of the newly-added horns breathe new life into Lucero's alt-country/punk sound that is no longer one of those on-the-fence genres people carelessly attach to bands such as Lucero -- they are distinctively their own, and this album confirms it. With some of the best musicians backing Nichols up, it sounds like Lucero isn't so a much a jam band; meticulously choreographed bar music is perhaps a more eloquent and rather fitting title. Although, to be fair, they are more than just a soundtrack to your nights swilling shots -- this is the type of music you put on the record player first, then go get your glass to sit with. Throw in producer Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly) to deftly balance the band between loose improvisation and tightened melodies, and you've got one of 2009's best offerings (and to top it off, it's on a major label -- I feel it's necessary to reiterate that point).
Full of vividly structured numbers such as "The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo" and "Johnny Davis," the band tells stories through not only words, but through musical tone. It's quite the accomplishment for a group who continues to play with their influences and independently grow away from them at the same time. Who knew Ben Nichols' could write such a tragically beautiful song such as "Mom," and then offer up anti-romantic tunes like "Hey Darlin' Do You Gamble?". Stained pits, cigarette butts and empty whiskey glasses may fill the room, but Lucero's pessimistic yet wildly soulful sound do what many records fail to in this day and age: truly connect with the audience and pump new blood into the heart of all-American rock n' roll built on storytelling of average folks who see and feel love & pain just like the rest of us.
"A bastard from the start but a charming one at that," Nichols slyly croons on "Can't Feel a Thing." Despite all the down-on-their-luck, anti-romanticism that hangs above Lucero's crooked halos, Nichols has never sung a line so ironic, one that punctuates the attitude of the best storytellers rock n' roll ever gave us. Add another legend to the playbook, because Lucero just made their mark.
Brian Venable is such a good guitar player. Anyways, I've always thought this band was overhyped. I mean the music is my bread and butter, but I still feel others do it just as well, if not better. That being said, there are some great songs on this disc and I respect what they do. And Chris, truly A plus review. Incredibly well-written and just never once veered off point. Super stuff, man.
I've only heard Nobody's Darlings and Tennessee and neither really did much for me. This disc however, is something I play often. Production of this album is a bit more clean then the past works I've listened too and actually, I prefer it that way. "Darken My Door", "Hey Darlin', Do You Gamble?" and "Johnny Davis" are my favorite tracks.
Really nice review, although I'm a little curious what you thought of "Sixes and Sevens." It's such a cool song and gives me a Rolling Stones vibe, especially during the bridge. I also agree that "What are You Willing to Lose" is one of Lucero's best songs -- the chorus just kills.
Great review and incredible album. My first listen I didn't think this CD was top 10 material but it is. Yes, it is this good and my favorite track is mom, especially the last part, mama, you know we might make some mistakes if we should falter, it's us should be blamed. I just love how I can relate to like every song in here, great album.
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