“My ears were ringing from some fifty basement shows.” The sentiment in this line from the title track of this release is perfect. Austin Lucas’ brand of traditional folk and country filtered through the punk aesthetic may not leave your ears ringing, but you will feel like your at a basement show in Jersey as you listen to The Common Cold, a release from Magic Bullet that documents the early days of one of the best songwriters around. Although the album doesn’t sport the perfection of Somebody Loves You, the talent and skill is immediately evident. Steeped in intimacy and lacking some of the polish that would come later, The Common Cold is another stellar release from Lucas and one that helps us see where this powerful performer has come from.
“Anything for the Baby” is the track that grabs here. A perfect, slow, front porch burner that inspires emotion I had thought music was beginning to forget. Maybe it’s Lucas’ voice; so clear and powerful. It’s definitely the adept guitar playing, which any accomplished picker can appreciate. It’s also in the words and delivery, which are crafted with a care and thoughtfulness that many writers confuse with simplicity these days.
There are two missteps here; “Corn Husker” and “Cruel Brothers” just feel out of place. The first tries to drive a sullen, southern groove and never really finds it. The second is an a capella tune, which few can ever pull off. While Lucas’ attempt is listenable (mostly due to the story told), I just have a hard time with unaccompanied voices. Lucas smartly stayed away from both these mistakes on Somebody Loves You, showcasing a growth and maturity as he moves from release to release. If you have enjoyed Austin Lucas’ output to this point, this collection from his early days will serve only to enhance his already noteworthy body of work.
Label: Magic Bullet
