Album Backlog: Rhett Miller, The Instigator

Posted over 5 years ago

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Rhett Miller

I grew up in a college town. We had this great radio station (ran completely by students) and because we actually have a few great venues and a recording studio or two we got that perfect sector of the music society. We got Jason Mraz on his first tour (when he was super laid back and amazing), we got Ozomatli, we got all of those 'oh my gosh they're amazing you should hear about them' sort of bands.One of those was the Old 97's. For my tastes, a bit retro, but when our local radio station started playing Rhett Miller? I was a 16 year old on a mission -- to find this album. I played one song so much I tired of it and within a month or so I regarded the CD as good, but not great.Then I grew up.When I digitized my music (a few years later, upon purchase of the first ever ipod, my senior year in high school) I debated whether to put the whole CD on there. Thank god I did. I discovered that 'dallas glam rock' (what I call him, Ryan Adams at times, among a few others) is amazing. The album defined my summer. I know every single word to every single track and I started to actually listen.Rhett Miller is a great lyricist and a great composer (the blends of these songs are just great) and I can't get over how much I love this album. So, even though it came from the past (with a blast) and isn't a new release I thought I'd put it out there, making it clear that it makes my top ten. Maybe even my top five.Give 'er a listen.

Comments (4)

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chucky says I'm really behind on Rhett Miller. I have two Old 97s cds but I haven't listened to any Rhett Miller solo stuff. This is being bumped to the top of my list - thanks!

Permalink posted 11/21/2006
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mister gary at work again says Yeah, when I was in college in the mid/late 90's, I was one of a few folks who programmed the music library for the campus station. We had a lot of folks clammoring for Old 97s and Whiskeytown, so we'd add a track here and there. I didn't think the bands as a whole were anything special at the time, though I did like a track here and there. Fast forward to now, and I can't possibly get enough Rhett Miller/Old 97s/Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams; this is all some of the most fantastic music I've ever heard. Sometimes it just takes a bit for things to set in, ya know?

Permalink posted 11/21/2006
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Lowdown says I only have Old 97's-Drag It Up and I love it. I have been neglecting Rhett's solo stuff and now it makes my official Christmas List. Thanks for the posty

Permalink posted 11/21/2006
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doublecluster says The Instigator is an awesome album, so many great lyrics and hooks - it reminds me of walking back from the office on dark November/December evenings in 2002 when it cheered me up no end! Have you heard his latest, called The Believer? It's pretty much The Instigator Part II but hey, you're not going to find me complain about that!

Permalink posted 11/21/2006