Cheese and Cracker: Review of Cracker (1992)

Back in ‘92, rock music had become full grunge; If you weren’t cranking out music like PJ or Nirvana or trying for a solo career like Morrissey, you probably were wasting your time trying to hit it big. But then steps in the band Cracker. Formed from the ruins of the 80s band Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker’s lead singer David Lowery got his new band running with their self-titled debut. It’s an album that introduces the quirks of Lowery as a writer and the off-beat bluesy alt sound that comes off this record. But it doesn’t live up to its potential. The opener “Teen Angst” is a catchy rock tune that is timely with its topic about the changing landscape that is happening with rock, not wanting “another folk singer”. The next two songs, “Happy Birthday” and “This is Cracker soul” bring it down to a slower vibe that sets the scene for the rest of the album. “I See the Light” is the first song that offered something a little fresher with its blues-infused riff and soulful backup singers. Right after, “St. Cajetan” builds upon this by its smokey, southern guitar opener. This song is the high point for the album, successfully combining Lowery’s raspy voice as he questions “Can you hear me” with solid guitar solos and layered backup singers. The next song “Mr. Wrong” is a simple rock song that sounds like something the Stones might have played in the late 60s. However, after “Mr. Wrong” the rest of the album blends together like a drawn-out song; All the songs begin to sound the same and feels uninspired. The band doesn’t seem to have their knack yet with Lowery’s poetic rhymes the band is known for, neither is there a standout single on this album. It’s a plausible first record but doesn’t stand out enough to be considered a great debut.