:: Johnny Hickman ::

:: Avogadro’s Number :: June 24 :: (CD release) ::

Johnny Hickman Tilting Campstove Records 3.5 out of 5 stars Johnny Hickman and his fellow Cracker co-frontman David Lowery have had one simple rule in place since they started playing music together — don’t suck. In the two decades since Cracker’s self-titled debut release, the group has earned multiple gold records and toured worldwide. Hickman, who in recent years has made Fort Collins his home, will release his second solo album on July 3, but will host a CD release party in late June, before he again hits the road with Cracker for a massive tour. Tilting certainly has some Cracker overtones to it — Hickman’s brand on that band is too hard to escape. But much of this album shows Hickman stretching his musical boundaries by exploring Dust Bowl-era jazz (“Papa Johnny’s Arms”) and more modern rock flavors (“Takin’ Me Back” and “Another Road”). In a press release about the album, Hickman said that he didn’t plan on writing material that was this personal, but admitted that the album was quite autobiographical, and “honest as hell.” Hickman also credits producer Jason Larson of Backbone Studios with significantly shaping the album. He said that the two took turns behind the board, shifting back and forth between musician and producer, and that while it was an unorthodox way to make an album, the experience was a blast.                                                                      — BFJ :: Johnny Hickman :: :: Avogadro’s Number :: June 24 :: (CD release) ::