Right off the bat, get it straight: Lucero is one of the best bands most people have never heard of. To be frank, that is about to change, and it had better. Following up two gritty alt-country records - "Lucero" and "Tennessee" - with their Tiger Style Records debut, "That Much Further West," Lucero is ready.
It's clear that Tiger Style is ready to take some chances in diversifying their portfolio. A roster that includes remarkable bands like the Appleseed Cast, the Album Leaf and Her Space Holiday now finds itself backing four country fellows from Memphis.
It certainly has deserved support though. Lucero plays a unique brand of alt-country that has so much rock and roll behind it, vocalist Ben Nichols had to have been born in Graceland. His growl is similar to that of Tom Waits, but his sincere vocals and poor "country" grammar recall a less secure Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon.
That said, the unique vocals may detract from a possible following, and that is a crying shame. Nichols' melodies underscore so much passion and heart that it is indeed a possibility that his voice transmits coronaries. He forces words and notes out at such a borderline irritating pitch and strain on his vocal cords, that not only is his sincerity unquestionable, it is beautiful.
In "Tears Don't Matter Much," Nichols croons odes to the singers who get him by each day, throwing much deserved respect to the likes of Cory Branan, Doug Deluca and Matt Bradley.
"My tears don't matter much/ when the boys sing their songs/ and the kids they sing along/ I'm just another Southern boy who dreams of nights in NYC/ and I sing along," he cries, seemingly ripping his vocal cords right in half with hope and heartbreak, somehow steering clear of clich?(c).
"That Much Further West" throws some punches away from traditional alt-country with the well-placed use of synth drums and samples. Those interested in a stricter country approach would be best suited to pick up 2000's "Tennessee" as well, which was released on Madjack Records.
Lucero certainly isn't for every ear, but for those in tune with them, the band is money in the bank; sonic currency.
This comes recommended for fans of Miracle of 86, Neil Young and Uncle Tupelo.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
