Labels: Suburban Home
Review by: Andy B
I’m in a bit of a weird dilemma with this CD, before reviewing it, I did my
research, and it seems that none of Austin Lucas’ past releases have been
reviewed on Collective, which would make this one the first. Now, for those
who don’t know, Austin is the son of the “legendary” Bob Lucas, who I’d
never heard of past his connection with Austin, but he’s on the Bristle
Ridge collaboration with Chuck Ragan, and that he recorded Austin’s earlier
albums. Austin himself has been playing guitar in crust punks Guided Cradle
and living in the Czech Republic for the last couple of years, but these
solo albums are testament to his roots or something.
Which brings me to my main issue with this review, I really love Austin’s
stuff, I love his voice, the way the songs flow and generally his albums
are a good mix of upbeat country / bluegrass rockers with a couple of
country ballads thrown in, for a fan of this genre, it doesn’t get boring.
However, in my opinion, this is his weakest release to date, mostly because
4 of the songs on this album are re-recordings of songs found on his
previous solo release “at war with freak folk”, I don’t know whether that
release was euro only or something, but i’m a bit miffed by it, I’d like
some new songs please.
It does however have some cracking new songs, the title track is a vicious
stab directed at an un-named racist, its quite aggressive lyrically for
someone like Austin. Go West is easily my favourite song on this album, or
indeed any album, so that kind of rescues it, its not a bad record, it just
wouldn’t be my first choice recommendation for someone wanting to
investigate Austin’s stuff. Better to start with “The Common Cold” or
“Putting the Hammer Down”.