UNCLE LUCIOUS : LIKE IT'S THE LAST ONE LEFT

UNCLE LUCIUS : LIKE IT'S THE LAST ONE LEFT

Keep Singing Along
Civilized Anxiety
All The Angelenos
I’m Happy
Tuscaloosa Rain
Love In Kind
Holy Roller
Draw The Line
Trace My Soul
Heart Over Mind

Label : Boo Clap Records

Release Date : 2023

Length : 36:22

Review (American Highways) : Uncle Lucius returns from its five-year-hiatus with the highly anticipated Like It’s the Last One Left, and fans new and old will not be disappointed in this magical journey of soulful, mindful, mesmerizing Americana music. The Austin band is reinvigorated, celebrating a resurgence brought by 2012’s “Keep the Wolves Away,” which achieved platinum status after its appearance on “Yellowstone,” the most watched cable series on TV. Kicking off with “Keep Singing Along” and ending with “Heart Over Mind,” Like It’s the Last One Left is a genre-bending record full of prolific lyrics, many of which give listeners sound advice on how to handle these hard times (“Hold on slow, now take it easy, be gentle with yourself”). Produced by the band’s co-founder, former bass player and honorary seventh member Hal Jon Vorpahl (who also wrote several of the tunes and plays bass on a number of them, as well as guitars, keys and percussion), Like It’s the Last One Left is an ambitious, uplifting album that gives all members of this Texas juggernaut an opportunity to shine. Vorpahl on bass really drives the first track, “Keep Singing Along,” which also features a tasty guitar lick by Mike Carpenter and a fantastic build on keys by Jon Grossman, who switches to organ to take the track to church. “Civilized Anxiety” is next, a rocker in the key of Creedence Clearwater Revival, with a riff reminiscent of “Fortunate Son.” Frontman Kevin Galloway holds nothing back, sharing his societal frustrations: “There’s too many people/with too many places to be/And this concrete cannibal coffin is suffocating me.” It’s relatable no matter where you live – what’s the deal with the stress level? The best part of this song is the bridge, where Galloway really wails, and the progression gets heavier, merging CCR with the Black Crowes. Drummer Josh Greco is outstanding on this – as well as the other nine tracks – but this one really allows him to let loose. Too many people? Where are they coming from? On the third track, Galloway has some fun with the Lone Star State’s overpopulation, calling out “All the Angelenos.” It’s a playful Texan lament about the women and men coming from L.A. to Austin: “I’m from Texas, and I’m telling you, I ain’t never seen the likes of them.” It’s catchy and fun, and features sweet back-and-forth guitar solos by Carpenter and Doug Strahan (his first album with the band). Cody Braun of Austin’s Reckless Kelly joins in on fiddle. Every band member gets a spotlight on this album. For Grossman, his accordion work on “I’m Happy” is what makes this song (what he considers an “odd cosmic waltz”) so joyful. It’s irresistibly pleasant, and is the perfect compliment to Vorphal’s lyrics, delivered with conviction by Galloway: “We’re lettin’ the world spin how it’s gonna spin/don’t worry about knowin’ which way I’m goin’/don’t worry about where I’ve been.” “Tuscaloosa Rain” is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It’s tremendously well-produced, with gorgeous backup vocals by Uncle Roy and Spice and a captivating 70s-soul-inspired bass line by Drew Scherger that would get a nod of approval from Motown bassist James Jamerson. The climax of this song is one of the best moments of the album, as Galloway and crew pay tribute to Elvis Presley’s “Kentucky Rain.” Galloway’s howl is matched by gorgeous harmonious riffs by Carpenter and Strahan. “Holy Roller” is the big jammer, where Carpenter really lets loose, putting his Southern rock and Texas blues roots to use. Grossman really comes alive on organ here, and Greco’s percussion and drums elevate the tune, taking it up another gear. It’s Zeppelinish. You know this is stretching over five minutes live, and I can’t wait to hear it. Following the hard-rockin’ “Holy Roller,” which is intense in its musicianship and impassioned lyrics, the band cleanses your palate with a gorgeous instrumental, “Down the Line,” then transitions smoothly into “Trace My Soul,” another one that has a bit of a Black Crowes feel, and some of my favorite lyrics: “Let my tragedy give way to comedy, ‘cause that shit’s funny.” And the last track, “Heart Over Mind,” is one that stays with you. It’s a Texas lullaby with a haunting, contagious melody, a gorgeous string arrangement and a chorus you can’t help but sing along with (when you do, it sets you at ease).“Heart Over Mind” is a mindfulness meditation in song, with a message we could all use right now: “Remember to breathe. Just breathe.” Like It’s the Last One Left was recorded by James Stevens at EAR Studios in Austin, Texas and mastered by Jim Wilson Mastering. Additional musicians include Tracy Seeger (violin), Andrew Corral (violin), Bruce Williams (viola) and Matthew Gustafson (cello). Kelley Mickwee and Alice Spencer provide backup vocals on “Love In Kind” and “Trace My Soul.” Uncle Roy and Spice sing on “Holy Roller.” Highlights: “Keep Singing Along,” “Tuscaloosa Rain,” “Heart Over Mind”.

Review (Americana UK) : AUK’s Rick Bayles called Uncle Lucius “one of Texas’ finest” in 2021, hoping that they would return one day. How right he was on both counts. Their reunion, with new members bassist Drew Scherger and guitarist Doug Strahan joining Mike Carpenter, Josh Greco, Kevin Galloway, and Jon Grossman, was some of the happiest music news this year. (I’m not crying; you’re crying). Uncle Lucius released four studio albums between their formation in 2002 and their breakup in 2018, but garnered their biggest hit after they broke up (‘Keep The Wolves Away’). This unexpected viral hit, which was everywhere after its inclusion on the show ‘Yellowstone,’ was a consideration when the band discussed reforming. Galloway, who released two fine solo albums in the interim, says, “There’s a new perspective that comes with stepping away from something for a while, then coming back to it. You can see it with new eyes.” ‘Like It’s The Last One Left’ was recorded at EAR Studios in Austin, where the band recorded ‘Pick Your Head Up.’ There is still the backwoods cool, and the combination of sleazy East Texas blues, outlaw country, psychedelic rock, and a touch of Muscle Shoals grooves temporarily relocated to The Big Pink, but somehow everything is better this time. The first track ‘Keep Singing Along’ starts off immediately letting everyone know that it is above all else, a huge party. There might be contemplative moments outside the party house with a smoke (‘I’m Happy’), and maybe some heavy existential discussions in the kitchen (‘Trace My Soul’), but the revelry doesn’t stop for long. The stand-alone tracks for Spotify and radio only tell part of the story. Uncle Lucius are among Texas’ iconic artists, and Austin fans have felt rather protective of them. The band have been spokesmen of sorts for the original native Austin scene, in one case gently mocking the affluent LA carpetbaggers described in ‘All The Angelenos.’ Galloway recorded the phone demo for the manic stomp ‘Civilized Anxiety’ at the Lightnin’ Hopkins statue in Crockett, Texas. With heart-palpitation drums, it captures the atmosphere of trying to just get around in an overcrowded city with nightmarish traffic and wanting to escape to the woods. ‘Tuscaloosa Rain’ is a beautiful strings-soaked track, thanks to Tosca String Quartet, with harmonies from vocal duo US. Along with ‘Heart Over Mind,’ it would make a great over-the-top Vegas live number. US also appear on ‘Holy Roller,’ a gospel jam that highlights the band’s impressive musicianship. Southern rocker ‘Trace My Soul’ is a take on the sentiment of ‘Let It Be’, letting things go, and a continuation of that sentiment from ‘I’m Happy’ (“let the world spin how it’s gonna spin”). “Let it sing the song it’s gonna sing / Let that pendulum swing the way it’s gonna swing / Let it be a natural thing / Let my tragedy give way to comedy / ‘cause that shit’s funny.” ‘Like It’s The Last One Left’ is unlike any Uncle Lucius albums that came before it. They may well have outdone their previous, already fantastic, body of work.