Kerosene Hat, Cracker's second album, was an unexpected hit because of its off-kilter charm. Though Cracker rocked hard throughout the record, they also threw in fractured pop and country tunes that gave the album a broader appeal. The band's follow-up album, The Golden Age, tries to expand on that appeal by burying the weirdness inherent in David Lowery's songwriting with loud, grungy guitars and a more streamlined production. The change is evident from the record's leadoff track, "I Hate My Generation." With its pounding rhythms and grunge-drenched guitars, it may have been intended as a parody of '90s Generation-X angst, but the riffs and melodies are so slight that it fails embarrassingly. In fact, most of the louder numbers on The Golden Age are forced and underdeveloped. What saves the record is when Cracker turn the volume down, whether it's the country rock of the title track, the goofy pop of "How Can I Live Without You," or the dusty psychedelia of "Bicycle Spaniard." Once you dig past the surface of the loud guitars, it becomes apparent that there's an abundance of quiet gems scattered throughout The Golden Age, and that is what makes the album worthwhile listening. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
David Lowery (String Arrangements), Marc Mann (Engineer), Dennis Herring (Mellotron), David Lowery (Mellotron), Skidd Mills (Assistant), Johnny Hickman (Synthesizer), Bob Rupe (Vocals (Background)), Michele Richards (Violin), Paul Shure (Violin), Peter Kent (Violin), Bonnie Douglas Shure (Violin), Dennis Herring (Microcassette), David Lowery (Handclapping), Kristin Asbury (Vocals (Background)), Charlie Quintana (Drums), Richard Hasal (Overdubs), John Morand (Engineer), Suzie Katayama (String Contractor), Johnny Hickman (Vocals (Background)), David Immerglück (Pedal Steel), Joan Osborne (Vocals (Background)), David Lowery (?), Mike Snyder (Assistant Engineer), John Morand (Assistant Engineer), David Lowery (Synthesizer), Andy Wallace (Mixing), David Lowery (Guitar), Johnny Hott (Programming), Bruce Licher (Design), Bruce Licher (Package Design), Bob Rupe (Guitar (Bass)), John Hobbs (Piano), Steve Sisco (Mixing), Johnny Hott (Handclapping), Dennis Herring (Guitar (Acoustic)), David Campbell (Conductor), Chris Fuhrman (Overdubs), David Work (?), Peter Kent (Concert Master), Denyse Buffum (Viola), Steve Sisfco (Mixing Assistant), Steve Sisco (Mixing Assistant), Johnny Hott (Percussion), Sid Page (Violin), Skidd Mills (Assistant Engineer), Sid Page (Concert Master), Howie Weinberg (Mastering), Dennis Herring (Producer), Joe Chiccarelli (Recording), Bob Rupe (Synthesizer Bass), David Lowery (Producer), David Lowery (Vocals), Csaba Petocz (Engineer), Larry Corbett (Viola), Johnny Hickman (Talk Box), Johnny Hickman (Guitar), Bob Becker (Viola), David Lowery (Arranger), Chris Fuhrman (Engineer), David Immerglück (Vocals (Background)), Dennis Herring (Handclapping), Dennis Herring (Arranger), Bob Peterson (Violin), Dennis Herring (String Arrangements), Amy Hughes (Assistant Engineer), Armen Garabedian (Violin), Danny Clinch (Photography), Tony Maimone (Guitar (Bass)), Suzie Katayama (Cello), David Lowery (Vocals (Background)), Eddie Bayers (Drums), Dennis Herring (?), Rob Hajacos (Fiddle), David Immerglück (Guitar), David Work (Digital Manipulation), Paul Shure (?), Dennis Herring (Amplifiers), Katia Popov (Violin), Charlie Gillingham (Organ), Larry Corbett (Cello), Johnny Hickman (Harmonica), Joe Chiccarelli (Engineer), David Campbell (String Arrangements), Tony Maimone (Bass), Bob Rupe (Bass), David Campbell (Arranger), Paul Shure (Theremin), Shannon Worrell (Vocals (Background)), Bob Rupe (Synthesizer), John Morand (Assistant), Jim Labinski (Assistant Engineer), Mike Snyder (Assistant), Richard Hasal (Engineer), Wayne Cook (Engineer), Dennis Herring (Programming), Jim Cox (Piano), Suzie Katayama (Celli)
Tucson (1993) ·Low (1993) ·Get Off This (1994) ·Euro-Trash Girl (1994) ·I Hate My Generation (1996) ·Nothing To Believe In (1996) ·The Good Life (1998) ·The World Is Mine (1998) ·Shine (2002) ·Merry Christmas, Emily (2002) ·Something You Ain't Got (2006) ·Give Me One More Chance (2006) ·Everybody Gets One For Free (2006)
Compilations
The Virgin Years (1995) ·Garage D'Or (2000) ·Hello, Cleveland! Live at the Metro (2002) ·Get On With It: The Best of Cracker (2006) ·Greatest Hits Redux (2006) ·
