Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey

Cracker | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 5, 2009
• Release Date: May 5, 2009
• Label: 429 Records
• Copyright: (C) 2009 SLG, LLC
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0028GK16W
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Show me how this thing works, May 5, 2009

By 

Howlinw (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunrise in the Land of Milk & Honey (Audio CD)

It's hard to believe that it's already been three years since Cracker released their "comeback" album, Greenland. Greenland picked right up where their better material from the 90s left off, adding a newfound maturity and some sonic diversity to the mix. The album quite frankly blew me away and to this day is one of my favorites. However, I think they just may have upped the ante yet again.

Whereas Greenland seemed very much like a product of the studio, SITLOM&H is a harder-hitting collection of songs that sounds like it was recorded by a seasoned touring band. The group sounds focused and energetic, playing it tough and loose on new classics like "Hand Me My Inhaler," "Time Machine" and "Show Me How This Thing Works." Other reviewers have correctly pointed out that the band owes a debt to the classic-era Stones, but there is also a punky streak here that hasn't surfaced quite so strongly since 1996's The Golden Age. However, this album also contains the band's best outright country song since "Mr. Wrong" (from their debut) in "Friends" as well as two wistful ballads, "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me" and the surprisingly unironic "Darling One." I had missed Lowery's balladry and am glad that it has resurfaced. Each song is distinctive and superbly crafted, yet together the whole is still greater than the sum of its parts. The album has a natural, unforced flow stretching from the vaguely apocalyptic opener "Yalla Yalla (Let's Go)" to the edgy title-track closer.

David Lowery's lyrics, a key part of every Cracker release, are in finest form here. He is funny and ironic as only he can be, but some of his lyrics display a newfound weight and gravity which first became fully evident on Greenland. Take for example the following, from the title track:

"Sunrise in the land of the Pharaohs

I see my broken arrows scattered

cross the plain"

There is nothing as self-consciously ridiculous as "Everybody Gets One For Free" on this disc, although "Friends" has that same over-the-top quality. Lowery also seems to be paying attention to world affairs, as references to the Middle Eastern world pepper some of these songs (especially the opener). It's probably his most consistent set of lyrics yet, and with the short length of these songs there is nothing that wears out its welcome in any way.

Even the guests are a perfect fit for the band's sound and approach. The contributions of John Doe, Adam Duritz, Patterson Hood and Brooke Fauver (among others) blend in seamlessly, never hijacking any of the material. That the band has fans of such great artistic credibility speaks strongly of their status as elder statesmen of truly classic rock n roll.

Cracker has come a long way since their early days, and each successive release has been nothing short of engaging and deeply satisfying as only pure rock n roll can be. This is easily the best rock n roll record I have heard yet this year, and will likely top my 2009 list (or tie with the new Wilco release, if it's as good as the pre-press seems to indicate). I think this one will vie for best of the decade too. This is the kind of album you can listen to many times in a row, take on a road trip, keep beside you for decades and never stop digging. Yeah I'm getting gushy. C'mon it's a great new Cracker disc. Get excited fans, it's everything you've ever hoped for and more. Play it LOUD.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best., May 5, 2009

By 

J. D. Rogers (San Rafael, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sunrise in the Land of Milk & Honey (Audio CD)

I don't care what else comes out this year. This is one of the best Rock and Roll records of 2009, and probably 2008 and 2007 for that matter. Cracker has revisited their roots -- leaving a little taste of their country side, but mostly just straight ahead rock and roll. Great songwriting. Driving, passionate, skillful performances, flawlessly recorded. A must-have. I am really impressed. This could possibly be my favorite Cracker album. It left me wanting more.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cracker Classic, May 8, 2009

By 

Hamster Army - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sunrise in the Land of Milk & Honey (Audio CD)

The internets are full of Cracker groupies who, literally, don't dislike anything they have ever done. I'm not afraid to say that I did not care for Greenland much, nor a number of tired songs they play live regularly. I was down on Cracker for a few years now and couldn't be happier with this new release, it's brilliantly fun, classic, and Hickman shines again. Lowery's voice is still in great shape, showing guys in their mid-40's can still rock with the best of them, if they want to. They could play this album from start to finish live and I'd be perfectly happy.

There are legitimate singles here, the title track, "Hey Bret," and the already released "Tune In, Drop Out."

"Friends" produces a chuckle or two, but would be my least favorite, but wow I can't believe how good this is as a whole. Absolutely a top 5 Cracker album.

I am an objective Cracker fan, you don't see that often, and I love this album as much as anything they've ever done. What a surprisingly fun, old school Cracker album that just makes you happy.