Courtesy of Lucero
Memphis country-punk rockers Lucero embark on a cross-country tour, and enter Canada, supporting their latest full-length album Among the Ghosts.
Courtesy of Lucero
Lucero kicks off their most recent endeavor with eponymous rockin’ epic country track “Among the Ghosts”. It stands out hauntingly between the delicate yet brash guitars of Ben Nichols and Brian Venable plus the breathtaking keyboards of Rick Steff, as well as the marvelously memorable vocals of Nichols. The band takes a dark turn on punk-spirited country rocker “Everything Has Changed”. Bassist John Stubblefield delivers a mellow yet melodic bassline while drummer Roy Berry pummels out a steady beat as Nichols informs the listener that “somewhere down in Hell, they call my name”.
Lucero heads down an intriguing path with epic country ballad “Long Way Back Home”, which Jeff Nichols (Ben's brother) made an eponymous short film around featuring Michael Shannon. Nichols and Venable conjure some mystifying guitars while Steff provides atmospherically somber keyboards. The album closes by picking up the pace on country-punky rock tune “For the Lonely Ones”. Keyboardist Steff uplifts on this song as Nichols and Venable soar, playing high-spirited guitars alongside some soulful saxophone. Among the Ghosts smacks of Lucero's early energy while trailblazing forward momentum for the band that throws back to the country and Motown that has surely influenced them.
luceromusic.bandcamp.com
Lucero plays The Fillmore, located at 29 East Allen Street in Philadelphia, with L.A. Celtic folk punk rockers Flogging Molly on February 23rd.
~ Garyn Klasek
