Courtney Devores
July 24, 2008
Old 97's play Visulite at 8 tonight. $20. 704-358-9200. The band will also
appear at Manifest Records at 6 p.m.
The Texan foursome is in fine form once again, following 2004's somewhat
disappointing, rough-edged Drag It Up. More on the “alt” side of alt-country,
Old 97's boast an incredibly well-rounded collection of jangle-pop, driving
rock, surf guitar, and Tex-Mex swing.
The disc begins with a twangier take on the Who. In fact, Gravity evokes
the legendary band's “Pinball Wizard,” as well as Soul Asylum and early-'80s
jangle pop.
Frontman Rhett Miller's lyrics are at once poetic, vivid, and awash in double
meanings. Combined with the crisp Telecaster riffing of Ken Bethea and diverse
arrangements, the stories and clever reflections (“You've got to be a fool to be
a fool in love” from “The Fool”) truly pop from the speakers.
With nary a misstep, Gravity is a welcome comeback.
The Charlotte Observer