There are a number of artists I’ve been meaning to talk about ever since I started the blog. One of those is the Old 97s, the very best of the many many alt-country bands of the last decade or so. Well, now I’ve got an excuse to post about them, since they just released a greatest hits album Hit by a Train: The Best of Old 97s.
Now, this is not usually a good sign, as bands that are still consistently producing good albums don’t need to roll out the greatest hits disc. I wish I could say that wasn’t the case here but sadly, Rhett Miller and company haven’t produced a great album since 2001’s Satellite Rides, and Miller’s solo albums have been decent but nothing special. That said, I have still bought (and enjoyed) all those recent albums and if they haven’t reached the peaks of their earlier work, they’ve still been better than most other music out there.
As for the greatest hits album, it’s a fairly good selection of their songs, demonstrating different styles and moods, running the gamut from almost pure country-western of their early albums to the pop-country of “Nineteen” and “Rollerskate Skinny” to the tender beauty of “Valentine” to the raging drunken brawl of “Four Leaf Clover.”
However, there are a number of songs that I certainly never thought of as candidates for “best of” and a few glaring omissions. In particular, two songs are omitted that defy all explanation.
Salome
This is, by far, my favorite Old 97s song, the highlight of Too Far to Care, one of my all-time favorite albums. Packed with emotion without being overwrought, it showcases Miller’s wonderful voice, with just enough twang to keep you honest. Lovesick, heartfelt, and beautiful–I can’t recommend this song highly enough.
Wish the Worst
This perfectly sloppy drunken anthem epitomizes their early career for me. The chorus alone would make it a classic:
I hope you crash your momma’s car
I hope you pass out in some bar
I hope you catch some kinda flu
Let’s say I wish the worst for you
It’s the sort of song you can’t help but sing along to, and you find yourself empathizing all too much. Miller’s voice is once again a highlight, sounding about as Texan as you can get.
One song that is included on the collection, but is still worth talking about is:
Rollerskate Skinny
This song exemplifies some of their more recent work with a much more pop-oriented sound. The title is taken from Catcher in the Rye, which is great, and it includes one of my all-time favorite lines from any song ever: “How can you have everything and nothing to lose?” It just so perfectly describes the sort of person who can live their life carefree and happy, for whom happiness is overwhelming, and never tainted by the fear of loss. It’s not realistic, of course, but it’s still a nice idea.
Anyways, if you aren’t familiar with the Old 97s, picking up either Hit by a Train: The Best of Old 97s or Too Far to Care wouldn’t be a bad place to start.