Ben Nichols of Lucero’s recently released solo Ep. is powerful and haunting. I have not had an album invoke this type of reaction since I first heard Tennessee. I find myself captivated from the first track to the last. The general tempo of the album is slow, much like Lucero’s “Tennessee”, but remains primarily acoustic apart from an occasional steel guitar. The album leans more towards a western, rather than southern feel which is appropriate, considering the theme. The album is a concept, centered around Cormac McCarthy’s novel “Blood Meridian.” If you aren’t familiar with McCarthy, you might recognize “All the Pretty Horses,” “No Country for Old Men,” or “The Road,” which have all been made into major motion pictures. I digress to mention this, only because his worth as an author warrants it. Ben’s heart wrenching voice and story telling ability have done great justice to the novel. If you are a fan of real country or folk music, or just a fan of Lucero, do not hesitate to purchase this album.
