To the uninitiated Cracker might seem to be just another ’90s alternative rock band. However, fans recognize that the band is much more than that, having skillfully explored a wide array of styles over nearly 35 years. Regrettably, when newcomers hear a Cracker song and wish to learn more about the band, they often start with algorithmic streaming playlists. These playlists are typically limited to the dozen or so tracks with the most streams. As a result, these playlists are dominated by a few albums from the early 1990s, the heyday of alternative rock radio. There are also a few “greatest hits” compilations for Cracker available, but these, at best, cover only the first third of the band’s 35-year career. Both of these sources overlook some of the band’s most critically acclaimed and fan-favorite work.
In response to this, the band started a discussion with Cooking Vinyl to see if they could rectify the situation by producing a retrospective that would encompass the band’s entire career. Unfortunately, it became apparent that the cost of licensing tracks from the Virgin and Concord catalogs would be prohibitive. Undeterred, the band began to catalog the recordings they controlled, and a more promising idea emerged. They realized they had a collection of re-recordings, demos, outtakes, collaborations, and live tracks that told an alternate history of the band. And this collection would not only serve as an introduction to the band for new fans, but also provide long-time, hardcore fans with access to some rare and unreleased recordings. Thus, “Alternative History” was born.
What’s in this collection? Well, it starts with a mellow country-rock reinterpretation of “Sick of Goodbyes.” The recording features members of Drive-By Truckers, Brad Morgan and Jay Gonzales.
Next is the 2005 re-record of “Teen Angst” from the Redux album. This stays pretty true to the original because, like all the tracks on the Redux album, they were re-recorded so that when the band receives licensing requests, they can use their own masters.
“Mr. Wrong” is from a collaboration with Leftover Salmon in 2003, a reinterpretation of the song with a sort of bluegrass feel.
“I See The Light” is also from the Redux album and thus stays quite true to the original, except the end has more of a rave-up because, after years of performing this song live, that’s how the band plays it.
“Almond Grove” is a re-record with John Keane engineering, mixing, and playing a number of instruments. The story is that David was never totally happy with his vocals and banjo playing on the original version of the song. After the album was released, he initiated a new recording with John, who lives just down the street. This recording has some cool little arrangement quirks not in the original.
“Low” is a re-record from the Redux album. If you’ve heard the song in a film or TV show lately, it’s likely this is the version. The tonality of the song owes a lot to the Middle Eastern music David, Johnny, and Davey were listening to on the first Cracker tour. On this recording, Kenny Margolis further amplifies this with a short Middle Eastern accordion solo.
“Merry Christmas Emily” is a new recording, a reimagining of the song featuring Megan Slankard and Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd and the Monsters). Megan adds an ‘Emily’ counterpoint to the song, making the already unreliable narrator even more unreliable.
“The World is Mine” is another re-record from the Redux album, worth it just for the moment drummer Frank Funaro kicks into double time.
This “Sweet Potato” recording is from the 2003 collaboration with Leftover Salmon. Many fans prefer this to the original.
“Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me” is a live version from the legendary German concert TV show Rockpalast. This performance predates the album version and has a fairly different feel.
“Seven Days” recorded live at Teatro Lara in Madrid is a barn burner.
“Big Dipper” is also a re-record from the Redux album. It sticks very close to the original because it’s a damn near perfect recording.
“Eurotrash Girl” is redone as a bluegrass waltz featuring Leftover Salmon.
Then, a recent mostly acoustic performance of “King of Bakersfield” with some nice Southwestern accordion work by Jeremy Lawton follows.
There’s nothing new about “I Need Better Friends.” It’s a hidden gem from an often overlooked album, and people need to hear it.
“Father Winter” is a demo that David Lowery recorded for Johnny Hickman before they formed Cracker. In some ways, it’s the Cracker ur-song.
Next are a couple of fantastic live performances from Cracker’s appearance on the Rockpalast TV show: “One Fine Day” and “Gimme One More Chance.”
Then there’s a live performance of “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey,” slowed down and stripped down.
“River Euphrates” is a track from the out-of-print Tucson EP. This recording is a live performance from a show in Germany.
“I Want Everything” is from the live show in Madrid 2021.
And to showcase the bands punkier material “Movie Star” and “Don’t F*ck Me Up With Peace and Love” from that same Madrid show.
“Ain’t Gonna Suck Itself” is also from the Redux album, but it’s an original track, not a re-record. It was meant to be the ultimate record company ‘kiss-off’ song. Essentially, the meta-meaning is, “Hey, we re-recorded our greatest hits, so screw you, Virgin Records.”
– Boo Haggerty, Tybee Island, GA
