Rhett Miller: An Old 97 starts anew

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 | musiX

Those in the know know that I love the Old 97’s—however I’ve never been the biggest fan of vocalist Rhett Miller’s solo work. As I’ve said before Miller needs his bandmates as much as they need him. Obviously the Old 97’s wouldn’t be the same band without his vocals and sardonic wordplay. Likewise, when Miller ventures out on his own—as he has on three records (four if you count his pre-97’s release Mythologies)—he loses some of that twang and grit. Yes, the point is to not sound like the Old 97’s, BUT (there’s always a but) Rhett Miller shouldn’t be making records that sound so … how can I put this—VH1-y.

On his latest solo outing Miller teamed up with Salim Nourallah, who produced (kooky use of apostrophes alert!) the Old 97’s’ Blame It On Gravity album. A good thing. Bells and whistles have been scrapped for warmer, hazier production. It’s not only his best solo record, it’s his most varied. Of course, Miller’s proclivity for Brit-pop is all over songs like “If It’s Not Love” and “Caroline.” But “Happy Birthday Don’t Die” is a sci-fi tale that is sonically the weirdest and most unhinged song he’s ever written, while “Another Girlfriend” finds familiar ground in his band’s outlaw-country leanings. But it’s little things like well-placed hand claps (those in the know also know I’m a sucker for hand claps) along with sweet and understated harmonies, organ and tambourine that make Miller’s pop songs … well, pop.

More important (to me, anyway) is the fact—with the exception of “I Need To Know Where I Stand”—there’s no chance of Miller sidling up to Rob Thomas and Daughtry on some silly countdown. PLUS (there’s always a plus) with this record there seems to be less of a push to showcase that angelic face of his. Although it is angelic, isn’t it?

“Caroline” - Rhett Miller

“Happy Birthday Don’t Die” - Rhett Miller

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