Hello, Cleveland! Live from the Metro

Personnel: David Lowery, John Hickman (vocals, guitar); Kenny Margolis (keyboards, percussion); Frank Funaro (drums).
Recording information: Metro, Chicago, IL (11/20/1999).
Photographer: Danny Clinch.
Despite its title, this disc was recorded in Chicago in November of 1999, and was originally available as a limited-edition bonus disc accompanying Cracker's 2002 Forever album. Reissued as its own entity, and including four music videos of Forever tracks like "Guarded by Monkeys" and "Shine" among others, the disc captures the band in top form on their radio anthems "Teen Angst" and "Low." While the latter highlights the fluid guitar riffing of Johnny Hickman, frontman David Lowery shines on the emotive ballad "The Big Dipper" -- culled from 1996's The Golden Age. If the crowd-pleasing cover of Status Quo's "Pictures of Matchstick Men," (popularized by Lowery's other band, Camper Van Beethoven), seems like an ill fit here, Hello, Cleveland! Live From the Metro captures a strong band tearing through an equally muscular set. ~ John D. Luerssen