Well, it's been some time since my last music post. Those who know me well understand the love I've had for "alternative country" dating back to junior high. After a couple years of listening to Lucero, I believe they are the best this genre has to offer - better than Uncle Tupleo, Whiskeytown and Son Volt. Lucero is alt. country, but they are also rock at its best.
I have this theory about rock and roll and why, as we age, we tend to leave the noise behind in favor of the softer rolling pastures of folk, jazz and bluegrass. We don't move on due to some silly notion that our tastes have matured past the appreciation of a simple three-chord charger. In fact, I'd bet there isn't a soul among us that would balk at the chance to blast "Misty Mountain Hop" or "Rise Above" given the proper traffic condition. What really happens is, at some uncertain age, we come to learn that 95% of what is called rock music is, and always has been, awful and embarrassing to hear. It's not that we've become too sophisticated to get our rock out, instead we just tire of being burned by a bunch of twenty something idiots with yet another boring, noisy axe to grind.
Well, fear not rock and roll stalwarts and holdouts. Lucero is our salvation, three furious chords at a time. I dare anyone who loves, or once loved, that music called rock to try to get one of their discs out of the player. Not only will you be unable to do it, but I'm pretty sure your stereo, upon realizing how good Lucero is making it sound, will zap you with 120 well placed volts if you try to yank the disc. Hell, stick 'Tennessee' in for your ancient grandma and she'll say, "See...See, that is what in the hell I'm talking about. Now turn that up and go get me a six pack, junior!"
They're that good.
Right away one thing becomes clear. Lucero is not just another group of rock and roll dandy boys taking a stabbing dalliance at the rock and roll life. Unlike bands such as the Strokes or Kings Of Leon (to name just two), Lucero play as if their lives depend upon it and given a hard listen one realizes that they are doing exactly that-- playing for their lives. While those other bands play like they couldn't be bothered by passion, one gets the sense that if the whole rock and roll thing doesn't pan out for Lucero there ain't no silver spoon homestead awaiting these boys.
"Bloody knuckles and a broken nose
Goin back before I ever left home
I fought and boxed
Fought in the streets
Four years of fightin' till they're done with me
Leave it till the morning to say goodbye
Ain't in the mood to watch no one cry
Tonight it's whiskey so buy another round
Drink it up boys it's my last night in town
It's too late to turn back now, ah-uh-huh"
Ah-uh-huh, indeed.
They're playing the Masquerade on June 20th - anyone want to go?
