Forever
In many ways,Foreverhas been a long time coming. The fifth album from Cracker finds principal songwriter and frontman David Lowery finally and fully integrating his more recent leanings with the sound of his previous band,Camper Van Beethoven. So, in addition to the garage-rock Americana that defined Cracker's preceding albums,Foreveradds a healthy dose of Camper Van's eclecticism, especially on tracks like "Guarded by Monkeys" and the Johnny Hickman-penned "Superfan." Lowery's wit is still in top form ("God gave you life / So stay out of mine / And take your sorry ass back to Florida" he spits on "Don't Bring Us Down"), and Hickman's guitar work is as fierce as ever. Some old friends turn up on some of the best tracks (Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous contributes guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals to album opener, "Brides of Neptune"). And even though they do occasionally stumble (the band's attempt at rap on "What You're Missing" is more pathetic than funny),Foreverfeatures some of Cracker's best work sinceKerosene Hat.--Robert Burrow