Cracker
The Golden Age

(Virgin)

First Appeared in The Music Box, September 1997, Volume 4, #10

Written by John Metzger

Cracker has a history of making mediocre albums containing a few decent (and radio-friendly) songs. Yet, despite the lesser airplay for its latest effort, The Golden Age is the band's strongest effort, thus far, partially due to the fact that the group took a mellower approach to its music.  The album begins with a high-powered pairing of I Hate My Generation and I'm a Little Rocket Ship, but the group quickly falls into a relaxed and easy-going groove. On Dixie Babylon, Big Dipper, and the faster-paced Useless Stuff, the ensemble employs a sound that is similar to Wilco; on the country-leaning title track, front man David Lowery borrows the vocal stylings of World Party's Karl Wallinger; and Grateful Dead fans will love the Estimated Prophet-like wah-wah guitar of How Can I Live Without You. As an added plus, both Joan Osborne and the Counting Crows' Charles Gillingham make appearances on the disc and help to make it a keeper. ½

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 1997 The Music Box