Kerosene Hat
Cracker · 1993
67 min · 17 tracks · alternative rock
An eclectic blend of alternative rock and Americana, characterized by catchy hooks and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Low — This track served as Cracker's breakthrough single, featuring a memorable chorus that encapsulates the band's blend of humor and melancholy. Its infectious melody helped propel the album into mainstream success.
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Get Off This — The song showcases a raw, energetic sound combined with sharp lyrics reflecting disillusionment, representing the band's ability to fuse rock elements with thoughtful commentary.
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Movie Star — With its catchy hook and narrative-driven lyrics, this track reflects on fame and longing in a way that resonated with listeners during the era.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a blend of catchy rock tunes and introspective lyrics, but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a strong mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more reflective tone with its slower pace.
- Several tracks feature prominent use of slide guitar, which adds a distinct Americana flavor to the alternative rock sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- sardonic humor and wit
- for casual road trips
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- dynamic flow across tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate gratification
- seek polished, radio-friendly sound
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Kerosene Hat is Cracker's second studio album, released in 1993 following their debut, which had already established them in the alternative rock scene. The band capitalized on their growing popularity, building on the success of their breakout hit 'Cracker' from the previous year.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Counting Crows· Gin Blossoms· Toad the Wet Sprocket
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Nostalgia
The verse shifts between wistful memories and a biting critique of idealization, contrasting fondness with reality's harshness.
This transition reveals the complexity of reminiscence, showing how nostalgia can be both comforting and deceptive.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Low 4:36
- 2 Movie Star 3:33
- 3 Get Off This 4:26
- 4 Kerosene Hat 5:36
- 5 Take Me Down to the Infirmary 4:05
- 6 Nostalgia 3:34
- 7 Sweet Potato 3:16
- 8 Sick of Goodbyes 3:10
- 9 I Want Everything 5:53
- 10 Lonesome Johnny Blues 2:48
- 11 Let's Go for a Ride 3:08
- 12 Loser 6:11
- 15 Hi-Desert Biker Meth Lab 0:41
- 69 [Euro-Trash Girl] 8:04
- 88 [I Ride My Bike] 6:34
- 98 [silence] 0:05
- 99 [Kerosene Hat (outtake)] 1:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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