Oh My Rockness

Lucero is a gritty Arkansas rock band whose front man sounds like a countrified Kurt Cobain. It's more appropriate to call them punk-country rather than alt-country. Ben Nichols probably tires of the Cobain comparisons but, hey, at least I didn't mention Ryan Adams.

Lucero put on sweaty, extended live shows that gradually turn into bleary-eyed boozefests. They are best seen in your local bar and they are best heard when you're obliterated (on whiskey or love). Nichols plays upon your drunkenness with lyrical, bittersweet songs about dreams, jealousy and heartache. There will be more than one tear in your beer by the encore. Be sure to drink plenty of water -- drinking and crying lead to hangovers and whining in the morning.

Published 09/06/06