What we’ve got here is the first solo offering from Ben Nichols, the front man of Memphis-based country-punk band Lucero and it’s called Last Pale Light In The West. Based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel Blood Meridian, the album features lyrics that are totally different than what you’d expect from Lucero. Now coming from me (a huge Lucero fan) it isn’t surprising just how much I love this record, but I am surprised at just how great it really is. As you might expect, most of Last Pale Light In The West is less raucous than what Lucero generally does and recalls their slower and more somber grandfather-inspired songs like “The War” and “Joining The Army.” Musically, the album is intoxicating and beautiful. Ben’s gritty vocals mingle with his lonesome acoustic guitar strums along with Todd Beene’s pedal steel, accordion, gentle piano, and other such instrumentation, but the music always feels spacious and open. It really has room to breathe. Last Pale Light In The West is easily among my favorites of 2008 (even though the physical release is slated for early 2009) but I do have one complaint with the album. Seven songs is far too few. At least this probably means that we will have a new Lucero album sometime next year, right? Let’s keep out fingers crossed and our shot glasses full. Until then, head over to
MP3 | Ben Nichols – Toadvine Last Pale Light In The West
