Link: Rhett Miller
The Inside Pulse:
Rhett Miller, former (and future?) lead singer of the Old 97’s is now on his third solo effort, and second since anyone cared. I’m honestly at a loss as to why, other than he believes this is what he is supposed to do.
The vibe is strictly southern California (the one from 70’s sitcoms, not the one from the O.C. or rap albums). This album has more in common with Bread than the Old 97’s, despite the fact that two of the songs were formerly released on Old 97’s efforts. It’s not bad, exactly, but it fails to stand out in any significant way and there is no point at which he made the risky decision. Remember the Silver Platters, the band that the Brady Bunch kids formed? They could have done any of these songs. His execution is more earnest, but the content is pure bean bag chair.
Positives:
– There seems to be a market for this kind of adult album alternative, not-so-challenging singer-songwriter music. Among that genre, this is a really good album.
– Ok, so it mostly doesn’t rock (even the mildly rocking “Ain’t That Strange” seems over-thought), but the lyrics are fine and he’s happy, so sue him.
– There’s a stretch of worthwhile tracks hidden in the middle that points to a better future.
Negatives:
– The first verse of the first song says “get out on the dance floor” but little else does.
– I listened to this version of “Singular Girl” trying to see if he had entirely dispensed with the T. Rex quote “you’ve got the teeth of the hydra upon you” and after about 10 listens, my mind had drifted every time and I still wasn’t sure. That’s a bad sign.
– Rhett has proven he can pull off grown up music, but rather than exploring that and finding another “Question” he simply re-recorded “Question.”
Cross-breed:
The Sneeches with the Brady Bunch
Reason to buy:
For your sorta hip mom on mother’s day.
