Old 97's out with new disc again
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – The Old 97's are out with their ninth disc, "The Grand Theatre Vol. 2," a follow-up to their disc from October 2010. The new CD has 13 new songs and was produced once again produced by Salim Nourallah ("The Grand Theatre Volume One" and "Blame It On Gravity").
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CD reviews for Old 97's
The Grand Theatre Volume One
For their eighth album, The Old 97's went into the recording process with the intention of capturing all of the fire and fury of their live show in a studio setting. Anyone who has seen Rhett Miller and the band play live knows what a lofty goal that was. The Old 97's have been burning down stages for years with their signature mix of energetic pop, rock, and twang.
From the opening salvo of the album starting title track, it's clear Miller, guitarist Ken Bethea, bassist Murry »»» |
Wreck Your Life ...And Then Some: The Complete Bloodshot Recordings [Limited Edition]
![CD review - Wreck Your Life ...And Then Some: The Complete Bloodshot Recordings [Limited Edition]](/files/images-cd/B002QF31GW.jpg "CD review - Wreck Your Life ...And Then Some: The Complete Bloodshot Recordings [Limited Edition]")
In the middle '90s, Old 97's was finding it's footing amidst the burgeoning alt.-country scene, particularly among groups like The Jayhawks, Wilco and Son Volt. Old 97's - guitarist Ken Bethea, singer Rhett Miller, drummer Philip Peeples and bassist Murry Hammond -found a niche in the Dallas music scene .
In 1995, they released "Wreck Your Life," an album they recorded for next to nothing up in Chicago. The Chicago-based label Bloodshot Records released it and helped »»» |
Blame It On Gravity
Perhaps the Old 97's have fallen off your personal music radar. If so, the group's new album - its first in four years and seventh overall - should snap you right back to full attention. This is a career highlight for the Texas quartet.
Produced by Salim Nourallah in his Dallas studio, the disc captures the camaraderie and joy of the longtime friends and an energy that was not really lost on 2004's "Drag it Up," but not in abundance nearly as much as it is here. Chestnuts abound. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
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Wilderness
"Wilderness" is another twisted menagerie of The Handsome Family songs. Once again, husband Brett Sparks sings their songs, sometimes in a bellowing gravedigger voice, after adding music to wife Rennie's lyrics. This time out, each and every tune is named after an animal, insect or other such nature creature. However, Rennie studies animals the way Flannery O'Connor wrote about humans, which is with the weirdness and character flaws in primary focus. »»» |
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