Album Reviews

What started out 15 years ago as a country-punk outfit, has since evolved into something else. Still country, not so much punk. Which is not a bad thing as the Old 97’s prove on their latest full-length, “Blame It On Gravity”. Which almost didn’t happen what with families expanding, solo releases, relocating people and record labels that were traded in. But luckily we are once again treated to some fine songwriting courtesy of these Dallas, TX natives.

Picture a bunch of dudes growing up on equal doses of The Beatles’ pop and Johnny Cash’s country tunes and then getting it in their heads to mix them up. The result are great alt-country songs like “No Baby I”, a song that could’ve been written by Mike Ness if he was ever in a mellow mood. The lyrics on this album won’t help you if you’re already battling a depression but the great melodies might just do the trick. You decide but you might not want to have anything sharp lying around near you. Just to make sure.