Tilting

Johnny Hickman is a key collaborator with Cracker, but while that band had some downtime he worked up a second solo album that captures the same loose feel of the best Cracker work. Producer Jason Larson plays whatever Hickman can't (a few other guests feature here and there), and together they explore the Americana feel that blows through so much latter-day alternative rockers' music. "Measure of a Man" boasts fiddle and easeful harmonies. "Destiny Misspent" captures the style of records made long ago, with an electric bass and organ sound that rolls back the decades. Modern-day social commentary sneaks into "Not Enough" and "Sick Cynthia Thing," which sparks up the amps and the hooks. "Papa Johnny's Arms" shuffles. "Takin' Me Back" grinds out the old-fashioned loud, stomping rock 'n' roll. "Another Road," with its heavily tremoloed guitar intro, ends things with the type of ramshackle rock groove that's always been what holds his other band together.