Search - Rhett Miller :: Instigator

Infectious and Fun

BA | Pennsylvania | 03/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first introduction to Rhett/Old 97's was through this CD. I read a review of "The Instigator" in a local independent newspaper and it sounded promising so I decided to check it out. From the first few seconds of "Our Love, " I was hooked and "The Instigator" stayed in constant rotation in my car CD player for months, at the least. Rhett's music is poppy and infectious, with great lyrics to boot. Rhett is able to sing about his favorite subject, love, without sounding cliched and cheesy. My favorite tracks on the CD are "Our Love," "World Inside the World," and the wonderfully twangy "The El." Living in Philadelphia, I like to pretend the song is about our very own El. I read that "The Instigator" was written as a response to Rhett's having to leave NYC after 9/11, and references to this tragic event can be found in the songs. Another reason I love the CD (as an English major) is that he name drops author Don Delillo and "Point Shirley" is based on the Sylvia Plath poem by the same name. Smart, talented and cute - Rhett rocks."

Rhett delivers solid stuff

tweedyfarrar | here | 04/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rhett is still delivering inspired lyrics with great melodies. "Our Love" is a cool opener with great lyrics and "Come Around" is a great pop song and "Nervous Heart" has a great sentiment. "World Inside a World" is a little repetitive with the lyrics and doesn't really match up to the similar "Question" on the Old 97's Satellite Rides release, yet it is still instantly hummable. That said all the songs are catchy with just enough jangly guitar to keep it respectable. This doesn't really have the jagged edge that the Old 97's manage to nurture through even their poppiest moments, but that doesnt mean its bad."