Forever is the fifth record from alt-rock veterans Cracker, and how refreshing it is to say they’ve finally gotten one totally right. After some good early work and the passable The Golden Age and Gentleman’s Blues, the band have regrouped to record the eclectic, anthemic and infectious album of their career.

Cracker mainstays David Lowery and Johnny Hickman have broadened the group’s linear, amped-up Americana approach as traces of Sparklehorse, Marah and Oasis can now be heard in equal parts. Fittingly, Mark Linkous collaborated on the record, which also includes some backing work by Lowery’s old band, Camper Van Beethoven.

This is Cracker’s biggest sounding record to date, and an exaggerated, sing-a-long emphasis on every chorus is clear, with “Merry Christmas Emily” and “Miss Santa Cruz County” being prime examples. “So let’s all be someone else/I’m tired of being myself,” sings Lowery on the latter, declaring rejuvenation.

Trading their patented teen angst for an unflinching optimism, Cracker, like they sing here, have “come into the light of one fine day.”

“Shine” and “Brides of Neptune” may be the most optimistic moments of the band’s cynical career, and fittingly round out what “Get Off This” always hinted at.

After twelve focused, uplifting numbers, Lowery just had to throw in “What You’re Missing” as an over-the-top finale to such blatant optimism. It’s a total throwaway, but at the same time, the most jubilant moment on Forever. An apparent jab at Kid Rock’s DJ Uncle Kracker, “What You’re Missing” is a rap song featuring verses from all five band members. And when Hickman takes to the mic to address his resemblance to Richard Greico, we laugh, knowing the rest of the band was doing the same thing.

So Cracker has figured that what the world needs now is a little bit of lunacy, and Forever provides just that. Anyway, Cracker has always been best when leaving those true words of wisdom to someone wiser. Grade: A-