Thursday, 10 Jul 2008
“Greenland speaks of times of great turbulence … of losing and finding oneself again, perhaps in the most unexpected place.”
Recognizing my ignorance in all things Camper Van Beethoven and the resulting offspring that is Cracker, MoB friend and contributor Dan properly hooked me up. Not really knowing where to start, I selected my starting point as Cracker’s most recent studio release, Greenland, which was released in 2006. I sadly missed their Summerfest performance, and the regret of that continuously grows with each record I am exposed to.
I’m sharing my favorite song (so far) from Greenland below and, as always, value your input on steering my listening towards your favorites. Has anyone picked up Cracker’s recently released live offering, Live in Berlin? Thoughts? If you’re just getting acquainted like me, no better place to start than by streaming Greenland in full here.
What are your favorite Camper Van Beethoven and/or Cracker records?
Myspace: Cracker
MP3: Cracker – “Something You Ain’t Got”
MP3: Cracker – “The World Is Mine” (Live in Berlin)
Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
July 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hi, I’ve never replied to any of your posts before, but I love the site.
For my money, you can’t beat Cracker’s first two records (the self-titled debut, often dubbed “Brand,” and its follow-up, “Kerosene Hat.” These are not as “weird” as the Camper stuff or even the later Cracker stuff, but I think the songwriting is the finest on these two records.
As for Camper, it’s all weirdly brilliant. Turning Sonic Youth and Black Flag songs into bizarre country-punk with ska and other avant gard world music influences must have been something to see in 1983. My personal favorites are their first album, “Telephone Free Landslide Victory,” the sophomore effort “II and III,” and their swan song, “Key Lime Pie.” Nothing they have put out is bad, though. Definitely check all of it out if you get a chance.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Here’s a loose list of favorites, but as Kirk mentioned, nothing they have put out is bad.
CVB:
ll & lll & Plus
Telephone Free Landslide Victory
Key Lime Pie
Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
New Roman Times
and the one-offs…
The Third Album Plus Vampire Can Mating Oven
Camper Vantiquities
Camper Van Chadborne (w/Eugene Chadborne)
CVB is Dead, Long Live CVB
Tusk
Cracker:
Kerosene Hat
Cracker (Brand)
The Golden Age
Greenland
Gentlemen’s Blues
Forever
Countrysides
July 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
The Cracker/Camper family has put out some great stuff throughout the years. Personally, Greenland is my least favorite Cracker album, but that’s not saying much considering, I love everything they’ve put out. Certainly Kerosene Hat and Brand are real gems, but each album has moved me in different times of my life.
The the best part about Cracker/Camper is the community – die hards fans, friends, and family that love each other dearly if only because they all love the same band. It’s good people. And the best way check them out is at the annual 3 day Pioneertown Campout in Pioneertown, CA (an abandoned Old West film set in the middle of the desert – home of Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace and the Pioneertown Sound Stage where Kerosene Hat was recorded). It happens in Sept. Check it out – they’ve always got plenty of other great bands there as well.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Here is the July 5th Summerfest show in full, from the sound board. Thanks to TAS aka morst for uploading these!
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2008-07-05.matrix
July 11th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Cracker’s Greenland is a great record. It’s a shame it didn’t get more coverage when it came out. I recently rediscovered it myself a few months ago.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:07 am
http://www.archive.org/details/CVB2008-06-28.matrix
Here is the CVB 25th Anniversary Show from June 28th, 2008 at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
An incredible recording.
April 12th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Heya Im trying to register for your rss ,, but it is not working . Whats happening ?