Rhett Miller

Don't tell fans of the Old 97's, but Rhett Miller's solo material is stronger than his work with the band. Miller offers up power-pop hooks, witty lyrics and a melancholy streak a mile wide. The tunes are tougher, dirtier, quieter and more despairing than before. "Caroline" and "Like Love" are undeniably catchy sing-alongs with bittersweet vibes. "Haphazardly" is the heart-on-sleeve ballad that Miller excels at. His unhip, unironic stance is part of what makes him unique -- he's like an Elvis Costello without the bile, an Aimee Mann who doesn't blame and a Josh Rouse who rocks hard.

Boozy hyperactivity aside, what makes Old 97's a great country-rock band is the tug of war
between Rhett Miller's love for rough honky-tonkin' and Sixties pop. Playing to the latter,
per usual for his solo work, he's made his strongest set yet. Aided by Jon Brion on bass and
guitar, Miller brings plenty of hooks. But his wise, barbed lyrics are what elevate things,
whether addressing a striver "killing in a comedy club in Hollywood/After years... More >