Forever

Cracker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 29, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Emd/Virgin
• ASIN: B00005V5PH
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,904 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In many ways, Forever has been a long time coming. The fifth album from Cracker finds principal songwriter and frontman David Lowery finally and fully integrating his more recent leanings with the sound of his previous band, Camper Van Beethoven. So, in addition to the garage-rock Americana that defined Cracker's preceding albums, Forever adds a healthy dose of Camper Van's eclecticism, especially on tracks like "Guarded by Monkeys" and the Johnny Hickman-penned "Superfan." Lowery's wit is still in top form ("God gave you life / So stay out of mine / And take your sorry ass back to Florida" he spits on "Don't Bring Us Down"), and Hickman's guitar work is as fierce as ever. Some old friends turn up on some of the best tracks (Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous contributes guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals to album opener, "Brides of Neptune"). And even though they do occasionally stumble (the band's attempt at rap on "What You're Missing" is more pathetic than funny), Forever features some of Cracker's best work since Kerosene Hat. --Robert Burrow

Product Description

Forever by Cracker

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty, hip alt rock from Uncle Dave & Co., January 30, 2002

By 

William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forever (Audio CD)

David Lowery and his merry band continue to impress and entertain. This is their first new studio album in awhile, and it's loaded with strong examples of the rock songwriting craft as well as comfortable, engaging performances by the band. This is an album that sounds even better each time I listen to it. I find myself singing lines from the songs like "take your sorry a** back to Florida" from "Don't Bring Us Down." Besides the usual reliable work from guitarist Johnny Hickman, the instrumental star of Forever is keyboard player Kenny Margolis, whose resounding piano and organ presence adds force to nearly every song. I always enjoy hearing Mr. Lowery's tart singing style (I'm often reminded of Ray Davies), but Hickman sings a song or two this time too, and the entire band takes turns on the humorous "What You're Missing" -- which also by the way includes a good explanation of the difference between Cracker and Uncle Kracker. What's Dave's thing about monkeys, though? Both "Guarded By Monkeys" and "Brides of Neptune" contain references to monkeys guarding things. Anyhow, this is one excellent CD, and it gets even better if you pick up the limited edition, which includes an entire bonus disc with a live recording from Chicago in late '99.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Rock Band On The Planet, February 7, 2002

By 

johnny wilson (Bristol, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forever (Limited Edition Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

By and large I am a Classic Rock fan. I like rock music all the way back to the late 60s, from Hendrix to the Doors to Neil Young to Led Zepp to the Allman Brothers to Pink Floyd to U2.
However, after five or six years of torture trying to like the Hair Bands, I was looking for some new music as the 1990s began.
Got into some blues under the Alligator label, but by 1993 or 1994 I was bored again.
Discovered the Grunge movement a couple years late, and I got into Pearl Jam, STP and the like. But Grunge wasn't the answer either, so then I caught on to Radiohead and Live in 1995, and thought I'd found keepers with them.
But Live has gotten too commercial in the last couple years, and Radiohead ... well, I don't know what's come over Radiohead. Too "out there."
In 1996 I was recommended to Cracker by a friend, and picked up its Golden Age CD in a used bin. BINGO. Excellent!!!
Cracker offers it all - a GREAT, rockin' guitar; some beautiful ballads (no wimpy stuff, however); some countryfied efforts; some blues, lots of great lyrics, and a violin, a mandolin and an accordian at times.
A fun band, too, one which perhaps requires you to acquire a taste for them.
There are those who would argue with how I've entitled this entry, "Best Rock Band On The Planet." But to those people I say, "Try it!" You would find out that Cracker is at least the most versatile band on the planet.
Although I doubt that its fifth studio album, "Forever," will be able to measure up to its second (and best) album, "Kerosene Hat (1993)," I have no doubt that this 2002 release is a good effort to most Cracker fans.
And Cracker has a base of FANatics. Cracker isn't the Dead or does it have that kind of following, but those who love their music will drive hundreds of miles to see a live show.
Leadman David Lowery (vocals) and guitarist Johnny Hickman have been together with this band now for 10 years. They blend like coffee and cream.
This album has much of the diversity this band is known for, although I would've liked to have seen a countryfied song in there (like a Mr. Wrong or a Eurotrash Girl). Basically, it's a rock album, but not really a hard rock album.
And the bonus CD, recorded live in 1999 in Chicago, is a delight. Many Cracker "staples," like Low and Teen Angst, and its concert favorite, its cover of Pictures of Matchstick Men.
On the Cracker website, regarding the studio album, the fans all talk about One Fine Day, Guarded By Monkeys, Miss Santa Cruz County, Brides Of Neptune, Merry Christmas Emily (which was performed on the Craig Kilbourn Late Show on Dec. 21, 2001), Don't Bring Us Down, and Shine (performed on Letterman on Jan. 28, 2002).
My favorite cut, however, is Sweet Magdalena Of My Misfortune. Great song. Reminds me of something Dylan would do.
That's the thing about Cracker: This band has something for everyone.
And like the quirky, tongue-in-cheek closing song on the CD, it is Cracker with a C not a K, and lots of music fans out there don't know What They're Missing if they haven't tried this band.
Be one of the COOL, and get to know this band.
Cracker ... Forever!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cracker's latest a real value, January 29, 2002

By 

Shaun Stief (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forever (Limited Edition Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

I saw that Cracker had a new album out, after several years of nothing new from the band. After listening to the album, I'd have to say that I am really impressed with the quality. With Rock anthems like 'Don't Bring Us Down' and a quirky 'Shameless', you can't go wrong with this album. With several diverse tracks, there is a taste of something for nearly everyone on this disc. Camper Van Beethoven fans will appreciate the gem cover of Status Quo's ever popular 'Picture's of Matchstick Men' that is included on a bonus disc. Also of note is the song 'Merry Christmas Emily'. The song is not what you'd expect, but more of a tribute to ex girlfriends of sorts. 'Ain't That Strange' is another very catchy tune, that is immediately 'stuck in your head' so to speak. I hope this review helps everyone that is curious, and or wondering what the band still has in them. An excellent effort, and well worth the money.