The Believer

Rhett Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B000E1NX3G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,584 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With a title track inspired by the death of friend Elliot Smith, The Believer finds singer/songwriter Rhett Miller striking a balance between regret and optimism (he became a first-time father since the last album). On his third solo effort, after 1989's hard-to-find Mythologies and 2002's nifty power-pop nugget The Instigator, Miller changed labels and joined forces with rock producer George Drakoulias (Tom Petty, the Black Crowes). Consequently, there are a few rave-ups here, like the not-so-delicate "Delicate" and the T-Rex-inspired "Ain't That Strange," but for the most part, The Believer is a lush, orchestrated affair--more mid-1980s Elvis Costello than mid-1970s Rolling Stones. Players include the multi-talented Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Punch-Drunk Love), who manned the boards for The Instigator, along with Gary Louris (from the Drakoulias-produced Jayhawks), and Rachael Yamagata. On the wistful "Fireflies," the sultry songstress and Miller trade verses like a modern day Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris. Most of the material on The Believer is new, with the exception of the Old 97's compositions "Singular Girl" (a B-side) and the aching "Question"--presented here in a tender acoustic version--and "I Believe She's Lying." Ironically enough, on this Brion and Aimee Mann-penned number, Miller sounds a little like the Believer himself: The late, great Smith. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Verve Forecast is proud to announce the release of Rhett Miller's second solo album, The Believer. A follow-up to the highly acclaimed The Instigator, the new record is brimming with, as Blender said, "knock 'em dead songs." Already widely-loved for his work as frontman and main songwriter of the hard-charging rock 'n' roll quartet the Old 97's (of which he is still a member), The Believer takes its predecessor's achievements several steps further, with a dozen deeply felt, craftily melodic tunes that demonstrate the Texas-bred artist's knack for using accessible songcraft to address complex emotional issues.

"The songs on The Believer are about sex, war, love and death...but mostly sex." Miller says. "Before going into the studio, I thought I'd be making a punk rock Ziggy Stardust, but I wound up with George Gershwin does T. Rex's The Slider."

The Believer was produced by George Drakoulias (Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, Tom Petty), and features an all-star cast of musicians including guitarist Lyle Workman (Sheryl Crow, Beck), drummer Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam, Tori Amos, David Bowie), multi-intsrumentalist Jon Brion (Kanye West, Fiona Apple), keyboardist Patrick Warren (Aimee Mann) and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks on background vocals. Rachel Yamagata lends a hand as well.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I believe in "The Believer", February 28, 2006

By 

Sarah "Sarah" (Soddy- Daisy, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Believer (Audio CD)

Rhett Miller's second solo outing is a brave one. This disc is unlike anything he has ever done before. The lush arrangements on the album might turn a few Old 97's fans off, but the Miller's lyrics continue to impress. The strongest tracks on the album for me are "Brand New Way", "Meteor Shower", "The Believer" and "My Valentine". I'm always impressed with Miller's ability to capture human emotions in his songs, the strogest example on this disc being the title track. In part written for late great singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, this song is the most venerable track on the album. There are a few tracks that Old 97's fans might recognize, "Fireflies", "Singular Girl", and a new arrangement of the female fan favorite "Question". While some fans of the Old 97's might brush these songs off as a rehashing of old material, I think the new arrangments give new life to the songs. "Fireflies", featuring Rachel Yamagata, is hauntingly beautiful, and is in the running for the twangiest song on the album. There are, of course, songs about love, the most straightforward being, "I'm With Her", pop melody at its finest. "Ain't That Strange" conjures up glam-rock and is sure to make the concert audience nod and bob thier heads. Overall, I this this album is very good, and won't be leaving my CD player for a very long time, and I hope it gets some time in yours too.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rhett Miller - The Believer, April 27, 2006

By 

T. Snyder "TS" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Believer (Audio CD)

I've never figured out why Rhett and his band, the Old 97's, are relatively unknowns. I am not sure what the label is trying to do with his solo career (go the Rob Thomas route?), because Rhett is way more talented of a musician/ songwriter. I would hate to see him completely sell out and go soft...

That said, Rhett Miller (Old 97's) makes catchy, upbeat Americana-rock songs. And he's been doing it for quite awhile now. Luckily, "The Believer" continues the trend.

The songs are mostly acoustic-guitar driven, upbeat, happy songs with catchy choruses. You'll be singing the choruses before the songs are finished.

I would recommend this to fans of the Jayhawks, Son Volt/Wilco, Jack Johnson, Pete Yorn, Ryan Adams, Ray Lamontagne, Fountains of Wayne, etc. Recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars near perfect, April 11, 2006

By 

G. Vickers "music guru" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Believer (Audio CD)

do NOT believe the naysayers below who are saying the record is ho-hum or needs to grow on you -- this album is a classic from first listen!

rhett miller explores his more Pop side with his solo work, sanding down some of the rough edges often left so gloriously intact with his other band and bringing the melodic end of things up to a sparkly shine. but don't let that make you think miller has gone solo-and-soft ... there's plenty of upbeat rockers on the album, reminding you that yes this is a solo record from the man behind the old 97's.

like a young ryan adams, miller is a man who's songrwriting cannot seem to escape being memorable and catchy. much of the album offers a variety of stylings for miller to hang his songs on, from lonesome balladeering to electric altcountry to jangly powerpop. he does it all with able talent and aplomb, seemingly simple and breezy but with a real knack for bringing a passion and honesty to his work that is often missing in pop.

this album hasn't left my stereo since i got it.