Kerosene Hat, Cracker's second album, was an unexpected hit because of its off-kilter charm. Though Cracker rocked hard throughout the record, they also threw in fractured pop and country tunes that gave the album a broader appeal. The band's follow-up album, The Golden Age, tries to expand on that appeal by burying the weirdness inherent in David Lowery's songwriting with loud, grungy guitars and a more streamlined production. The change is evident from the record's leadoff track, "I Hate My Generation." With its pounding rhythms and grunge-drenched guitars, it may have been intended as a parody of '90s Generation-X angst, but the riffs and melodies are so slight that it fails embarrassingly. In fact, most of the louder numbers on The Golden Age are forced and underdeveloped. What saves the record is when Cracker turn the volume down, whether it's the country rock of the title track, the goofy pop of "How Can I Live Without You," or the dusty psychedelia of "Bicycle Spaniard." Once you dig past the surface of the loud guitars, it becomes apparent that there's an abundance of quiet gems scattered throughout The Golden Age, and that is what makes the album worthwhile listening. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
All Music Guide Review
Track Listing
Credits
- Tony Maimone
- Bass, Guitar (Bass)
- Csaba Petocz
- Engineer
- Katia Popov
- Violin
- Charlie Quintana
- Drums
- Michele Richards
- Violin
- Bonnie Douglas Shure
- Violin
- Paul Shure
- Violin, ?, Theremin
- Steve Sisco
- Mixing, Mixing Assistant
- Andy Wallace
- Mixing
- Howie Weinberg
- Mastering
- Joan Osborne
- Vocals (Background)
- Bob Rupe
- Synthesizer, Bass, Synthesizer Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Bass)
- John Morand
- Engineer, Assistant, Assistant Engineer
- Suzie Katayama
- Cello, Celli, String Contractor
- Kristin Asbury
- Vocals (Background)
- Johnny Hickman
- Synthesizer, Guitar, Talk Box, Vocals (Background), Harmonica
- Johnny Hott
- Percussion, Programming, Handclapping
- Bob Peterson
- Violin
- Shannon Worrell
- Vocals (Background)
- Amy Hughes
- Assistant Engineer
- Bruce Licher
- Design, Package Design
- Jim Labinski
- Assistant Engineer
- Skidd Mills
- Assistant Engineer, Assistant
- Danny Clinch
- Photography
- Marc Mann
- Engineer
- Mike Snyder
- Assistant Engineer, Assistant
- Steve Sisfco
- Mixing Assistant
- David Work
- ?, Digital Manipulation
- Bob Becker
- Viola
- Cracker
- Main Performer
- Sid Page
- Violin, Concert Master
- Eddie Bayers
- Drums
- Denyse Buffum
- Viola
- David Campbell
- Arranger, Conductor, String Arrangements
- Joe Chiccarelli
- Engineer, Recording
- Wayne Cook
- Engineer
- Larry Corbett
- Cello, Viola
- Jim Cox
- Piano
- Chris Fuhrman
- Engineer, Overdubs
- Armen Garabedian
- Violin
- Charlie Gillingham
- Organ
- Rob Hajacos
- Fiddle
- Richard Hasal
- Engineer, Overdubs
- Dennis Herring
- Guitar (Acoustic), Programming, Arranger, ?, Microcassette, Amplifiers, String Arrangements, Mellotron, Producer, Handclapping
- John Hobbs
- Piano
- David Immerglück
- Guitar, Pedal Steel, Vocals (Background)
- Peter Kent
- Violin, Concert Master
- David Lowery
- Synthesizer, Vocals, Handclapping, ?, String Arrangements, Mellotron, Producer, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Guitar


















Plus