Lucero – Among The Ghosts

Long running Memphis alt-rock and Americana quintet Lucero has always been the odd man out.  Too punk-and-tumble for the country scene, and aside from being associated with Chuck Ragan on the revival tour, too committed to their country craft for punk faithful.  Yet the response by committed fans have ensured that the band has spent at least some deserving time in the spotlight with brief tenure on Universal Records and ATO Records.  After a number of high profile years under the latter, Lucero has returned to their self-run label, Liberty & Lament.  

If their latest full length, Among The Ghosts, is any indication, the band is grateful for the opportunity to write something a little lower key, and emerge from the shadow of record execs and deadlines (disclaimer: I have no idea how the folks at ATO operate).  The album feels like a sonic sigh of relief from the band, and probably marks Lucero’s most intuitive output over the past few years.  Ben Nichols’ vocals are as swaggered as ever, aided by the casual and skillful insertion of organ and piano keys that just sort of round out the clear country overtones.  

Among The Ghosts is built upon weathered, grim, and menacing narratives, ranging from self-destruction to adoration and conflict.  Songs like “Cover Me” are about as high as the album reaches, channeling Nichol’s raspy, gravelly tones, as they tower over an otherwise soft-edged soundscape.  In this regard, the album is calmer than those by like-minded Americana-inspired peers Arliss Nancy and Tin Horn Prayer, but no less expressive.  Minimalist front porch ballads like “To My Dearest Wife” effectively communicate the day-to-day plight of small town troubles in lines like, “tomorrow’s battle will not wait.”  Striking passages like “the devil’s drinking angel’s rye” conjure imagery and emotion through rich literary style. More iconically, “Back to the Night” features a bone chilling, heavily descriptive monologue of personal destruction and loss by guest vocalist and actor Michael Shannon, that feels almost cinematic in scope.  Apparently Shannon is a regular in Nichol’s brother’s film projects, and it’s not hard to see why. The track is unique amongst Lucero’s body of work, and is an absolute pleasure to devote one’s undivided attention to.

Twenty years into their career and Lucero remains one of the most remarkable and underrated bands to straddle the punk-Americana-country scene.  The only hangup fans may have is that Among The Ghosts’ gothic narratives leave behind most opportunities for the anthemic crowd-pleasers that Lucero has become oh so proficient at churning out over the past several years.  But really, faulting Among The Ghosts for not being catchier would entirely miss the point.  Lucero has offered fans an altogether engrossing experience sure to move listeners to their core.  Gentlemen, bring on the next twenty years.