Once described as "the only band to ever open for both The Grateful Dead and the Ramones," Cracker blends country, punk, psychedelia, folk and roots-rock to create a version of Americana that's as intoxicating as it is original. Fronted by David Lowery — whose cryptic, witty lyrics helped propel Camper Van Beethoven to the forefront of the '80s indie-rock scene — Cracker been mixing warped pop hooks and classic American music for 15 years. The group performed live from WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on July 28.
Formed in 1991 after Camper Van Beethoven's dissolution, Cracker followed its self-titled 1992 debut with the hit Kerosene Hat, which spawned the smash single "Low." The rest of the decade saw the band continue in much the same way, as Cracker expanded its fan base and toured tirelessly.
On its new Greenland, the group sounds stronger and more confident than ever, focusing heavily on Lowery's storied past, with a wistful air that can be felt in even the album's brightest songs. The disc also features touches of blues and Eastern-influenced raga, especially on Greenland's hazily majestic centerpiece, "Sidi Ifni."
Copyright 2006 XPN