On Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now) from Cracker's 1992 debut, David Lowery delivered one of that decade's most memorable song lyrics: "What the world needs now is another folk singer/like I need a hole in my head." A decade later, after the resurgent success of groups such as Nickel Creek, Son Volt, Ryan Adams and the entire cast of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, Lowery and Cracker's Johnny Hickman triumphantly join forces with newgrass pioneers Leftover Salmon for new bluegrass interpretations of some of Cracker's best - and underappreciated - songs.
Both Cracker and Leftover Salmon employ sarcasm - sometimes subtle, sometimes overt - in their music. Although Cracker gave us the line mentioned above, Leftover has delivered a classic bluegrass send-up of the Grateful Dead's "Fire on the Mountain," instead titled "Pasta on the Mountain." So there's a degree of irony in these artists coming together to capitalize on the current popularity of bluegrass. But for all the humor inherent on O Cracker, Where Art Thou? the bands deliver great versions of the decade-old songs, giving them a personality distinct from Cracker's original take.
