Lucero

Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers

[4/5] Lucero have made a career of playing folksy, punk-tinged rock n’ roll set off by vocalist Ben Nichols’ cigarette-charred crooning. For their sixth album, Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, the Memphis-based hell raisers decided to return to their Southern roots at the expense of their elemental angst. While Nichols’ lyrical preoccupation with heartbreak, young girls and the state of California remains, the band have traded in their distortion pedals for generous helpings of piano, accordion and organ courtesy of Rick Steff. Sometimes, the results are pleasing (“Sing Me No Hymns,” “I Can Get Us Out Of Here”), and other times the embellishments backfire, like on “I Don’t Want To Be The One,” where guitarist Brian Venable’s beloved hooky guitar sound is sacrificed to maintaining the jam vibe. Rebels also lacks a fast-paced, bro-down anthem (à la Nobody’s Darlings’ “Last Night in Town”), but Lucero fans will have no reason to break their allegiance. (LIBERTY & LAMENT) Zena Tsarfin