Old 97’s

By Richard Abowitz

Thursday, May 22, 2008 | 7:01 p.m.

Determined and dogged are the two words that describe the Old 97’s music and behavior. The band formed in the early ’90s as part of the alternative country movement (albeit with a pop streak), releasing independent singles and discs and eventually winding up on a major label for a few years, before being unceremoniously dumped. By 2001, in commercial terms, the Old 97’s were past the point when a band has either made it or not. And, for the Old 97’s, destiny’s answer was that they were to remain one of the best bands that never had a hit.

But the band did not burn out, and instead began an ugly fade-away. Now, in 2008, the Old 97’s return with Blame It on Gravity, a disc which leans more to their pop than country or rock sides. And, if this means the tunage is not as combustible as the band’s previous work, Blame It on Gravity in exchange offers fantastic and mature songwriting focus from leader Rhett Miller and a band that does not waste a note in the presentation. There is no filler here. Tracks like “The Fool,” “My Two Feet” and “The Easy Way” stick at once affixed to the mind by the Old 97’s flawless precision.

Of course, there are no hits for 2008 on Blame It on Gravity. But still, one of the great bands of the past decade is back in top form, ready once again to be ignored by you.