Lucero’s latest release has the same good ol’ boy lyrics of lead singer Ben Nichols, but his distinctively raspy voice is accompanied by a healthy dose of southern soul in the shape of gospel-like backing vocals and robust horn sections. The result is a melodic collection of, to quote Nichols, “sad old bastard songs” for the soul. By the final track Mom, it’s clear that this is their most determined effort to date.

—Anthony Smith, 10 December 2009