aquarium drunkard: Lucero :: Like A Memphis Rendezvous

Memphis, TN :: Lucero

Caveat Emptor: Until this past week, my knowledge of Lucero was based solely on reputation and word of mouth alone -- give or take the odd MP3 track here or there. Shit-fire, consider me all educated up -- instant-expert like. Savvy.

In the mail I received both the band's latest full length release, Nobody's Darlings, as well as their documentary DVD Dreaming In America. I must say (not surprisingly) it was my cup of tea. Raw-nerved, punky, rural, southern rock & roll. Watching these guys live their art, seemingly hand-to-mouth, made it that much sweeter when they land not only a label contract that meets their needs, but the opportunity to work with legendary producer/musician Jim Dickinson at his Zebra Ranch studio.

Lead vocals/guitarist Ben Nichols works a Farrar/Westerberg-like vocal snarl if the former Replacement had grown up in the rural deep South instead of MN. Recommended to fans of: Son Volt, early Whiskeytown, Steve Earle, Drive-By Truckers, Slobberbone, et al.