If the common complaint about Rhett Miller's last two solo records is that they sound too ambitious or over-produced, then the opposite might be true on his latest effort. The self-titled, fourth solo album from the Old 97s' front-man fails to capture the energy that he brings to his live performances, both as a solo performer and when playing with the 97s. As with his previous two releases, The Instigator and The Believer, the country influence so apparent in the Old 97s takes a back seat to more of a straightforward singer/songwriter pop style on Rhett Miller.
The disc sets a dark, despondent, more introspective tone from the beginning with the album's opening track, "Nobody Says I Love You Anymore" – "Hollow your heart out and hold out your hope/god give me strength and a good length of rope/nobody says I love you anymore". Tracks like "Happy Birthday Don't Die" are equally ominous with the Miller imagining what the 100th birthday of his two-year-old daughter will be like – "nightfall is just an idea/ it's suppertime when she succumbs/the tiny pensioner's reel/plays on although she is done".
The record has it's share of upbeat numbers that will be more familiar to fans of Miller's solo work. "If It's Not Love", "Caroline", and "I Need To Know Where I Stand" are standouts and all possess the crafty, clever wordsmith skills that Miller is known for.
Ultimately the production on Rhett Miller leaves the record feeling unfinished. Miller has left out all of the bells and whistles, instead opting for a more personal and intimate release. While it is nice to see the introspective side of Rhett Miller, the CD leaves me wanting to experience the outgoing, energetic persona that emerges when he is on stage.
