album reviews
Have you been an Old 97’s fan since their Hitchhiking days or did you Drag your feet coming here? What do you like better —the pop-y sound of Fight Songs or the alt-country tunes on Satellite Rides? Is there a particular track you can’t get out of your head? We want to hear what you think about the Old 97’s and we invite you to write your own review by filling out the form below. We may post it.
Thanks,
The Old97s.com Team
Old 97’s Still Have Something Left to Prove (Georgia Straight)
Mike Usinger
June 12, 2008
Because it’s one of those memories that couldn’t be grimmer, singer-guitarist Rhett Miller has no trouble recalling the first time the Old 97’s played Vancouver. The year was 1998, a time when live music in this city was deader than Kurt Cobain. Adding to the indignity, Miller and his bandmates—bassist Murry Hammond, guitarist Ken Bethea, and drummer Philip Peeples—found themselves booked into the now-defunct Starfish Room, a coffin-black shithole where the vibe ruined all but the most brilliant of shows. As if those two strikes weren’t bad enough, there was more.
“There was a U.S.–Canada Olympic hockey game on the TV right as we came on-stage,” the upbeat Miller says with a laugh from a Chicago tour stop. “Dude, I hate to say it, but there was a crowd of maybe six people who had driven in from Alberta, and that was about it.”
What a difference a decade makes. These days, the Old 97’s hang out with the likes of Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer, who stars in the video for “Dance With Me”, the first single from the group’s new album, Blame It on Gravity. On the high-exposure front, Miller and his bandmates got major silver-screen time in the 2006 hit comedy The Break-Up, a Vince Vaughn/Jennifer Aniston flick in which a long and pivotal scene takes place at one of their concerts. And if such good fortune doesn’t have the Old 97’s excited about life, consider the fact that Blame It on Gravity marks a strong return from a four-year hiatus. During that time off, kids were born, career goals were reevaluated, and, in the case of one member, work habits were radically altered.
“I used to have a tendency to micromanage a lot,” Miller says. “I was so excited that I wanted the other guys in the band to hurry up and do what I wanted them to do. So I had to learn to let them be themselves and do things at their own speed. And once I let go and stopped pushing so hard, I learned all over again that this band is a very fun thing to be in.”
That sentiment is certainly borne out by Blame It on Gravity, which finds the 15-year-old band sounding surprisingly revved up, considering how long it’s been in the trenches. “The Easy Way” makes a gritty return to the group’s garage-y early years, with Bethea turning in a smoking six-string clinic. Those mourning the demise of No Depression will find lots to love in the understated Americana of “Color of a Lonely Heart Is Blue”, while the band’s well-documented love of British Invasion pop surfaces in “I Will Remain”.
Proving that the Old 97’s are still willing to push themselves, Blame It on Gravity is also coloured by surf-country, second-wave punk, cool-kat jazz, and—most surprisingly—throwback hip-hop in “Dance With Me”. Miller is deservedly proud enough of the record that he’s been willing to make a difficult swap: life on the road versus time at home with his two young kids. Given that sacrifice, his mission is a simple one: to make sure that he never leaves the stage feeling like the tradeoff wasn’t worth it.
“I think we have something to prove, even now,” he says. “So I’m up there shaking my ass, which hopefully makes the people in the crowd realize it’s okay to shake their asses too. If I don’t make it all right, it becomes a thing where they stand there with their arms crossed, looking down their noses and evaluating things. That’s just not fun.”
No more fun, it might be argued, than the Starshit Room back in the dark days.
The Old 97’s play Richard’s on Richards on Friday (June 13).
06-12-2008
Blame It On Gravity
I've been listening to the new album for the better part of the last week and the songs continue to bounce through my head. Each day a different song works it's may into my mind and plays continuously. Fans of the band should like this one, as it strattles the line between alt country and pop. The clean, sometimes heavy on drums, production serves the record well. In a word: Infectious.
Tim H.
...
Old 97's new album, Blame It on Gravity, has evoked a feeling in me that is simply too rare. With each cycle through the songs, the deep desire to drive a convertible - pedal to the floor, stereo cranked, a dirty cowboy hat firmly situated on my head - is building to a frenzied state. It is the perfect storm of locomotive rhythms and clever verbiage that incites adolescent sensibilities in me. Sure, I might get a ticket or fly off the road, but who cares. It sounds too good to ignore.
rd
...
As a fan of late 80s alternative music (Morrissey, 10,000 Maniacs, Squeeze, etc.), this music feels like home.
April
05-23-2008
Alive and Wired
Just awesome songs. Rediculously good lyrics and music. You guys kick ass. I am 35 and wish I had heard of you sooner! Just got wind of you last month! (on XM) Gonna buy all albums. Pleeeeease make it to Ct!! How big are your shows? Plenty of venues here. All sizes. Ct needs old 97's!
Justin
05-23-2008
Drag It Up
I liked the build up of the songs. It was like a wave, follwed by another wave and then a crescendo wave of energy - all while telling a story one could hear and understand.
Jesse H.
05-23-2008
Satellite Rides
Coming down 2nd avenue on the M15 bus in Mahattan with the iPod digging Satellite Rides. The harmonies are perfect and the electric guitar sound is shimmering. And those acoustic numbers have some of the best sounding acoustic guitar recordings i've heard in a while. But it's the vocal harmonies that bring the tears. Brilliant!
Sonny
...
"Rollerskate Skinny" is an amazing song and really exemplifies the whole CD. Rhett's voice is in full form and one can't stop bouncing along at full volume. Satellite Rides belongs in everyone's collection.
Paul B.
05-23-2008
Too Far Too Care
From the opening explosion of "Timebomb" to the heavy metal of the remade "Four Leaf Clover", Too Far To Care has the Old 97s all over a Texas-sized road map of the rock and pop and country and western sound that the band invented and then defined. Broader than just alt-country, this album is full of hooks and just plain great songs, and like the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street, Rhett Miller and company have a little something for everyone on this album. "Niteclub" picks up where "Dressing Room Walls" (off of Wreck Your Life) leaves off, and is a tale of the road weary warrior who really doesn't know any other way of life. "Melt Show" is Rhett at his wide-eyed jaded innocent best, the guy who seems in a little over his head and knows he can still enjoy the ride.
Steve C.
...
In 1998, I probably watched the Old 97's appearance on Austin City Limits in 1998 about 50 times. It was remarkable. I recall that a lot of the performances on Austin City Limits around that time were outstanding, but the Old 97's stood out. For me, it was magic... It is hard to beat the personal connection that Too Far Too Care had for me. The tight songs. The stories. The characters. The band reckoning with success. It came together like a perfect novel... Today, I played Too Far Too Care to my 12 year old daughter and she was hooked... I am excited about the new album. I have loved each of the Old 97's records, but Too Far Too Care was my first. You know what they say about your first...
Jason
05-23-2008
Hitchhike To Rhome
"Love the early stuff. I am able to relive the angst and painful days of my misguided youth through classics like "Wish the Worst" and "Drowning in the Days". Other early albums are great too."
John L
05-23-2008
All of Them
I don't think there is a disappointing thing to say about ANY of the albums, even the first one! I love it! I am on the edge of my seat for the next one!! They all rock!
Melissa
05-23-2008