Introducing Austin Lucas is, I think, wholly useless. Many of you have heart about him or in the better case have seen his performance. Emited CD version of „The Common Cold" by german label Sabotage Records gives me the chance to write a few words about him. I am keen on it, of course, because I can say about the album that it is great, full of emotions and author's personality. Austin gave in it a large piece of himself…

At first time I met this American guy, which lives in Prague, a few years ago at the concert (I think it was Remains Of The Day ). I was griped by his unreserve, friendly, heartful behaviour. In that time I set up the singl of his band K10 Prospect. Two acustique songs played on electric guitar were a bonus on this singl. There you can feel his great potential and talent. Time was passing and some time later he came with record for his debut solo album. Electric guitar was replaced by spain guitar which gave his production more personal dimension. Meanwhile I saw several of his live concerts and I have to say, that he very often played for different audience. I felt the fact, that his music was listened by people, that I would never guess. At last, the first sight on tatooed guy in jeans jacket with the patch Terorrizer only few of us would anticipate what we can expect from him. Probably on similar wave of surprise, tones and frankness I could tell to myself- as most of the others- "What the hell, It was really good.". This point of captivation by Austin is important, because there is his heartiness and his person is experessed in his music and lyrics. They are personal expressions of his life or of the things which he lived or he was touched by. They are pieces from the life, played without dissimulation and in the way he felt them. This is their strength, they are real stories.

The album "The Common Cold" is his solo debut. Nevertheless it is mature and finalezed to absolut perfection. In its own way it brings the limits. It is possible to write that it is a folk & country album. It is possible, but it wouldn't express enough its depth. Austin is weaned by punk and he has the heart, and these two parts are evident on his record. His freshness is hidden in his sincerity, Austin doesn't make any image, he is himself! As a songster he joins the elements of classic American country with whiff from Plant-x Records or Against Me. His production doesn't lack a detached point of view and facility, which he sings about uneasy things. Something similar I love on genius Johny Cash.

Austin's singing is a chapter for itself. Austin sings from his childhood and his dominant and captivating voice is simply wonderful. Personally I consider him as the best singer who I have ever seen.

I often ask myself , how it is possible, that with his style he finds audience among so many listeners of hardcore, metal, crust, indie scene. I have no answer! Maybe it is because he is an amazing person and he has the talent. Simultaneously he is a person of several music faces. He passed through a lot of groups and except of K 10 Prospect we can know him from Prague-American formation Guided Cradle, where he plays the guitar. I am curious what a visitor of folk festivals would say on his show or album .

Lyrics and music are two things which go hand in hand, but we can judge them separately too. Lyrics are very strong and intimate statements. I don't know how much pertains to him, but it is served in the way that you can't escape.. I recommend you to give attention to his lyrics. On "The Common Cold" we have a chance to listen nine pieces- nine stories. Child's fear, family problems, loves, vagrancy, searching and hopes… There's no bad piece! I must enthrone "The Common Cold" after that the album is named. It is amaizing and I can only assume that I am finding there K 10 Prospect on tours and with Austin I feel the same tiredness, that he could feel after fifty played concerts as he sings there. Don't be afraid, I won't write about particular lyrics and deprive you of thi searching….

I would like to be unprepossessed and write about this album objectively. But I listened to it so many times that I can't write about it in other way. I had the luck to know Austin personally and it confirms me in feelings which I have from this album. I think, it is an amaizing album strong and frangible together. According to my knowledg a similar record in the Czech Republic or in Germany has never been emited.

-HONZA SAMUEL CZECHCORE.COM

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