The Golden Age

Like their forerunners, Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker have always flirted with the fine line between pleasantly and annoyingly quirky. The Golden Age balances on that tightrope more times than it falls off. Lusher backing (including Joan Osborne on vocals and the occasional string section) fills out David Lowery’s typically eclectic vocals. And while the fuller sound doesn’t save the self-conscious bits (”100 Flower Power Maximum”), when Lowery tearily wails, ”How can I live without you/If it means I’ve got to get a job?” much is forgiven.