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“I don’t know what the world may want but some words of wisdom could comfort
us / Think I’ll leave that up to someone wiser.”
“Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)”
Cracker- 1992
Following the 1990 demise of Camper Van Beethoven, David Lowery bolted
California for Virginia, where he joined forces with Johnny Hickman, unknown
guitarist extraordinaire whose countrified electric axe was equal parts pickin’,
grinnin’ and squealin’. The two formed Cracker and stormed the modern rock
airwaves with their 1992 self-titled debut, propelled by the titanic diesel
engine Virgin Records. Stepping into the ring back then with industry
juggernauts Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Lowery and Hickman (in front of an
ever-evolving rhythm section) forged their path with a string of worthy
contenders, including “Teen Angst” (initially thought to be an answer to the
Nirvana landmark), “Low,” and “Get Off This.”
In reading the above lyrics from “Teen Angst” nearly 15 years later, one could
draw a sense of standing in the shadow of giants (tongue firmly in cheek, mind
you) and opting to throw everything two middling Davids had at the almighty
Goliaths. Unfortunately, the most detrimental Goliath to the ongoing Cracker
career would become Virgin Records themselves. An untimely and vicious split
from the label three years ago left Cracker directionless and on the verge of
extinction.
Virgin had to get in one final payday with the release of Get On With It: The
Best of Cracker, even though a double-disc greatest hits package, sanctioned by
the band during more amicable times (Garage d’Or), was released in 2000. For its
part, this latest collection is unshakeable, a pure gold documentation of a
truly great career. Though impossible to jam all the essential Lowery/Hickman
collaborations into a 15-song set, every effort is made to encompass a decade
and then some. The big radio hits (“Low” and “Get Off This”) give way to
underground gems like “Mr. Wrong” and “Sweet Thistle Pie,” and all creative
periods are represented, except for 2003’s batch of vintage country covers (Countrysides),
which did not come on Virgin’s watch.
In true Cracker fashion, the Virgin release is forced to do battle with Cracker:
Greatest Hits Redux, which hits stores the same day as the aforementioned. Just
to spite their former label, the band re-recorded a greatest hits ensemble of
their own (slightly different track listing, plus new cut “Something You Ain’t
Got” and the ultimate middle finger tribute “Ain’t Gonna Suck Itself,” penned
especially for the former employer). Stay tuned, as a new Cracker album,
tentatively titled Greenland, is slated for June. One can only imagine what
enlightened themes and jovial dialogue might flow from it.
~Red
Rocker
redrocker@bullz-eye.com
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