The fifth LP from roots rockers, Uncle Lucius, is a solid slab of blues-driven guitar rock that hits its mark more often than not. Like It’s The Last One Left is the band’s first album since 2018, and their song “Keep The Wolves Away” was featured on the hit TV show, Yellowstone, recently that helped reinvigorate an interest in the band. Flash forward to 2023, and Uncle Lucius have returned with a record worthy of the legacy that they have built before them. The album was recorded to analog tape, with everyone playing together in real time, and you can really feel the energy of the band coming back together here. Uncle Lucius is back for all the right reasons, and I think we’re all better off for it.
The album opens up with the Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats-esque modern groove of “Keep Singing Along,” that finds Uncle Lucius getting their footing back rather quickly. “Civilized Anxiety” is a pure, bluesy rocker that is sure to translate well into the live setting, especially considering how the entire LP was recorded with that “live feel” in mind. The picturesque single of “All the Angelenos” is a great encapsulation of what Uncle Lucius does well on this entire record: sticking to their spots and finding the beauty in every note.
The middle section of the album never sags under its own weight with great, sweeping ballads found on the campfire rocker, “I’m Happy,” the mostly-instrumental “Tuscaloosa Rain,” and the country-tinged “Love in Kind.” The back half brings more tempo changes into the mix with “Holy Roller” that picks up momentum much like a train picking up steam rolling down the tracks. Other late standouts like “Draw the Line” and my personal favorite, “Trace My Soul,” reminded me of early Black Crowes-stylized rock with equally pleasing results.
By the time you reach the beautiful conclusion of “Heart Over Mind,” you’re wondering why Uncle Lucius decided to disband in the first place five years ago. This band should feel reinvigorated by Like It’s The Last One Left, because they’re certainly make it feel like they’re playing their hearts out as if it was their last rodeo.