The Old 97’s live at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta review

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As a seasoned gamer who has clocked countless hours immersed in the digital worlds of music, I can confidently say that witnessing the Old 97’s performance was like leveling up in real life. Their 25-song set felt like an epic quest, with each song serving as a new challenge to be conquered. The band’s tight chemistry and unwavering dedication to their craft were evident, making it a truly captivating experience.

On Saturday evening at the Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points, it wasn’t hard to see why the Old 97’s were in high spirits. They had performed in Athens on Thursday and were supposed to head to Columbia, SC the next day. However, Hurricane Helene disrupted those arrangements, causing the cancellation of their show in Columbia. As a result, the band found themselves stranded in Atlanta with no immediate plans, which might have contributed to their lively demeanor.

Luckily, Atlanta isn’t the most unfortunate spot to find oneself during a hurricane. The band from Dallas waited patiently and then delivered an energetic 25-song performance that was rich in their older songs, yet made room for several tracks from their recent album titled “American Primitive“.

For over three decades now, The Old 97’s have been consistently creating music together, making them a truly enduring band. Their latest release, American Primitive, marks their 13th studio album. What sets The Old 97’s apart is the unchanged lineup over these years – Rhett Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea, and Philip Peeples have remained the core members of the band, with only rare instances where they’ve used additional musicians in live performances or recording sessions. Essentially, it’s always been the four of them.

The Old 97’s put on another can’t-miss show

The level of proficiency among Bethea, Hammond, Peeples, and Miller is what you’d anticipate given their rich background in music. Bethea, Hammond, and Peeples are all top-notch musicians, while Miller, with his witty canine humor, unconventional windmill-style rhythm guitar playing, and infectious enthusiasm, is simply an exceptional entertainer. Notably, he also composes a significant number of exceptional songs, either independently or collaboratively with his bandmates.

On Saturdays, they kicked off their performance with “Falling Down,” a fresh track off the album “American Primitive“. While often categorized as an alt-country group, the Old 97’s have always transcended genre boundaries. This song could easily fit on a ’90s Soundgarden album or perhaps it leans more towards a grungier Matchbox Twenty. Regardless of your interpretation, it highlights the dramatic flair that is common in many of Miller’s finest compositions. It was one of three songs from their new album that they performed during the show.

Prior to playing “Somebody,” a dark western pop track, Miller had expressed his appreciation for their latest album by saying it’s “absolutely fantastic.” However, he also reminded the audience that they understand the rules and wouldn’t play too many songs from the new album. Such insight seems to be something one gains with time.

Approximately half of the collection originates from their early albums, primarily released during the ’90s, which marked them as pioneers of the emerging alt-country wave. However, the term “alt-country” has broadened over time, and its founding acts like Wilco and Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt have evolved far beyond those beginnings. Nonetheless, a track such as “Doreen” retains remnants of its roots, embodying western swing rhythm with Peeples’ unyielding drums and the authentic twang in Miller’s vocals.

Despite his knack for composing moving and captivating tunes, Miller’s character was encapsulated when he interacted with the crowd below the stage. Expressing joy over the numerous younger fans who enjoyed their music, he acknowledged that “many of these songs revolve around adults making poor choices.” He proceeded to guide the band in performing “Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On.

Later on, Miller granted a pass to those who might miss church the next morning by playing “Jesus Love You”, a lively rock song from 2017’s album Graveyard Whistling. Its lyrics include “He’s got the whole world in his hands – I’ve got a Lone Star in cans”. The same record also offered a down-to-earth perspective on religion with the apocalyptic track “Good With God” (co-written with Brandi Carlile). It ponders aloud, “All’s I know’s I’m good with God – I wonder how she feels about me.

Bass player Hammond, who has been recording with Miller since before the Old 97’s officially formed back in the early ‘90s, peppered the set with three of his own songs, and his higher tenor and old-school garage pop sensibilities provided a nice contract on songs like “W TX Teardrops,” “Valentine,” and “Can’t Get a Line.”

Miller and his bandmates performed many of their popular tunes that had the audience up front grooving. Songs like “Rollerskate Skinny,” “Barrier Reef,” and the heavy-hitting “Four Leaf Clover” (which was the finale for the show’s main set) are top-notch rock tracks.

During the initial encore, Miller performed “Question” solo on an acoustic guitar, singing the poignant lyrics, “Some day someone will ask you – A question you should answer with a resounding yes – Once in your life.” It’s evident that he isn’t only about partying and flings.

Afterward, the band played their signature tune by The Old 97’s – “Time Bomb” – which was a relentless burst of punky rock, an ideal method to alleviate stress following the cancellation of a show due to a hurricane.

On Saturday night, the Old 97’s wrapped up their current tour, with Kimmi Bitter serving as the opening act. Kimmi Bitter, a captivating artist reminiscent of Patsy Cline yet infused with the spirit of the Yardbirds, provided a unique blend that meshed surprisingly well with Willis Farnsworth’s electrifying blues-rock guitar solos. As a country band hailing from SoCal, they offer contemporary interpretations of classic country music.

Kind of the way the Old 97’s have been doing for more than three decades.

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2024-10-02 16:00