Old 97's

Old 97's fans who found Satellite Rides overproduced and Rhett Miller's solo foray into adult alternative disappointing will be stoked to learn that the band has returned to glorious Americana form. Drag It Up revisits all the lovelorn songwriting, harmonies and galloping rhythms that made us first love the group.

In the three years since old 97's' outstanding Satellite Rides, frontman Rhett Miller put out a
slick but lackluster solo album. Now he's back with his cow-punk compadres to muss things
up a bit. But Drag It Up is . . . well, kind of a drag. Rather than build on the charging guitars,
harmonies and Brit-rock backbeats of Satellite, the band delivers a muddle of average
country rock ("Won't Be Home"), early-R.E.M.-style whine ("Smokers") and wobb... More >

The new kids have Rhett feeling down ("Moonlight," "The New Kid," "Bloomingtown"). (Grade - ***)