Old 97’s – American Primitive
This alt-country band’s been plying their trade remarkably well for 30 years & this effort is their 13th studio LP. Produced by Tucker Martine, the set features guest appearances by R.E.M’s Peter Buck (guitar/mandolin on 3 cuts) & Scott McCaughey of the Young Fresh Fellows & Minus 5 (piano on “Honeypie”). The 13 tracks cut a vigorous slice through some rowdy melodies & upbeat jaunty ones that include “Somebody,” that lifts a tempting big band/swing tune’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” tribal beat that’s applied respectfully well to this pop tune.
But the Old 97’s know how to simmer when it’s necessary (“Where the Road Goes”) & still percolate with charming words & melodies. There’s tone, taste & class to spare. Like The Band, Little Feat & maybe even the Bottle Rockets they know their limitations, understand their signature sound & blossom like morning roses bright & aromatic on their wonderfully composed pieces that make up their American Primitive (Drops April 5/ATO Records/41:00).
The music, as always, is consistently exciting & rambunctious. It’s alt-country with a little garage-rock grunge to it, but not too much. The album’s moments capture true roundhouse musical punches through sheer experience, skill & instinct. And what comes through is like when a clever actor improvises a scene with brilliance & elevates the dialogue.
Some songs even resemble a grungier Byrds with their chiming guitar attack (“American Primitive”) & that’s an attractive modern rock recipe. The tune itself is well arranged & driving with drummer Philip Peeples relentless snappy punctuating beats. Coming closer to country inspired charm is “Honeypie.” A touch of country in the way Aztec Twostep used to glide across it briefly themselves (“I Wish I Was In Texas”).
Cruising into noir country darkness with a drizzle of whistling on “By the End of the Night,” & reminiscent of “Man From China,” by Vivabeat the musicians provide an appealing, effective mood-altering subtle drama. Very likeable.
Old 97’s then slide remarkably well into “This World,” — a jangly English pub rock turn ala Rockpile, Brinsley Scwartz/Nick Lowe with its pulsating guitars, whip snap drums & unified vocals. Excellent ear-candy stuff.
The 4-panel CD package is fairly plain though artistic with a single folded insert with credits & images.
Highlights – “Somebody,” “American Primitive,” Where the Road Goes,” “Honeypie,” “By the End of the Night,” “Masterpiece,” “Western Stars” & “This World.”
Musicians – Rhett Miller (vocals/guitar), Murray Hammond (bass), Ken Bethea (guitar) & Philip Peoples (drums) with Jeff Trapp (flamenco guitar/e-bow guitar), Annie Crawford (piano) & Richard Hewett (additional drums).
Color image courtesy of Jason Quigley. CD @ https://old97s.bandcamp.com/album/american-primitive & https://shop.atorecords.com/product/ATCD306/old-97s-american-primitive-cd & https://old97s.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Old 97s New Album “Twelfth” Emphasizes Enjoying the Moment With Nostalgic Tones