Lucero To Release Major Label Debut

Lucero - "Smoke" (Stream Only)

1372 Overton Park, Lucero's sixth full-length record is slated for an Oct, 6 release. What makes this album special is that it will be Ben Nichols & Co.'s first LP on a major -- Universal Republic Records. After years of relentless touring through the Bible Belt and Southern states, Lucero emerge, still with dirt on their hands, whiskey in their blood, but with a major label in their pocket. As they say, Lucero now epitomizes the sentement, "hardworking band makes good." Their new record was produced by Ted Hutt (Gaslight Anthem) and features such guests as Cat Power, Al Green and Solomon Burke. Enjoy the newest track from the album titled "Smoke" for stream above. Our only concern is that Nichols' vocals come off a bit too over-produced. If the tune is any insight into how the rest of the album will progress, what we have on our hands is a rollicking-southern hybrid of Gaslight Anthem and the Hold Steady.

Here we go.

Tour dates after the jump.

October 9 - Cannery Ballroom - Nashville, TN
October 10 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
October 11 - The Pour House - Charleston, SC
October 13 - Cats Cradle - Carrboro, NC
October 14 - The National - Richmond, VA
October 15 - 9:30 Club - Washington D.C.
October 16 - Starlight Ballroom - Philadelphia, PA
October 17 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
October 18 - The Middle East - Cambridge, MA
October 20 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON
October 21 - The Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
October 22 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI
October 23 - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN
October 26 - Aggie Theatre - Ft. Collins, CO
October 27 - Ogden Theater - Denver, CO
October 29 - The Crocodile - Seattle, WA
October 30 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
November 1 - Mezzanine - San Francisco, CA
November 4 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA
November 5 - The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
November 7 - Longhorn Saloon - Ft. Worth, TX
November 8 - Fun Fun Fun Fest - Austin, TX
November 9 - Meridian - Houston, TX
November 10 - Alabama Music Box - Mobile, AL
November 12 - Club Down Under @ Florida State University - Tallahassee, FL
November 13 - Czar - Tampa, FL
November 14 - Lizzie McCormick Stage - Orlando, FL
November 15 - Cafe Eleven - St. Augustine, FL
November 17 - Visulite Theatre - Charlotte, NC
November 18 - 40 Watt - Athens, GA
November 19 - Valarium - Knoxville, TN
November 20 - Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
November 21 - Headliners - Louisville, KY

Al Green - Lay It Down

Widely hailed as a return to form for the soul legend, Al Green's latest offering Lay It Down comes out today on Blue Note Records. While much has been made of producer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, and guest artists John Legend, James Poyser, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Anthony Hamilton, the real story concerning this record is a stellar performance by Green.

Lay It Down is a slow burner. The title track opens the record, and sets the tone for the entire album. Green's pure vocals lay in a bed of strings, Dap-King horns, and delicate picking from late guitarist James "Spanky" Chalmers. Drummer, Thompson stays largely out of the way - letting his kick drum establish the feel and groove of the song.

Lay it Down succeeds in these subtle ways. Neither Green, nor any of the muscians feel the need to hit the listener over the head with their sound, singing, or playing. As always, that is the sign of true talent and maturity.

Although rare, some have criticized the production of the record as too reminicent of Willie Mitchell, Green's long-time collaborator and producer who worked on his last two records, Everything's OK and I Can't Stop. Taking nothing away from Mr. Mitchell, the production on Lay it Down captures the classic Green sound and feel absent on the last two Mitchell produced albums. The strong punch of the Thompson-lead rhythm section is all the updating Green needed. The sound is fresh, yet there is still just the right amount of dust in the grooves.

In a neo-soul world dominated by Winehouse and now Duffy, one can only hope that listeners pay homage to the true soul artist of our generation. Not only is Lay it Down one of the better releases of 2008, it is one of the better records of Green's career.

Al Green -"Lay it Down" mp3

AMAZON