Lucero

Lucero isn’t the first punk band to go country, but it’s done it better than most. After more than a decade together, the Memphis, Tennessee band hasn’t changed much in personality: The group remains a hard-working, hard-touring bunch and frontman Ben Nichols a charming, (usually) heartbroken country-rock crooner. But, of course, no one who starts out as an alt-country band seems to stay there, do they? Lucero’s major-label debut, 2009’s 1372 Overton Park, ditched the blatant Son Volt-isms of its early work, and in their place is more nuanced and compelling roots-rock with big-label flourishes—like lots of horns, courtesy of soul legend Jim Spake. The band’s new follow-up, Women & Work, looks to continue that trend, utilizing more horns, keyboards, and even a gospel choir.

Updated 03/23/2012