Fight Songs

Old 97s | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B00000IL0L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,404 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Barely into the second track of Fight Songs the Old 97's, who've made cantankerous sore-heartedness a virtue, sound harmonically mellow and sweet. "Lonely Holiday," on first pass, is edgeless, but then you get "19" and yet more polished eschewal of this old band's incisive penchant. Does it bring Fight Songs down? A bit, but clean production aside, the Old 97's show tremendous growth from the scrappy twang of Wreck Your Life and even Too Far to Care. These are pop tunes, no doubt, and the twang might be somewhat eclipsed in spots. Guitarist and singer Rhett Miller's hardly budged an inch on his confessional pissing and moaning, still keeping it clear that he's bent out of shape. And the band's decided to trim its instrumental colors in the production process, which leads to a vaguely compressed feel in the guitars and an even more up-front occasion for Miller to sound off. --Andrew Bartlett

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sour grapes from the old-timers February 19, 2001

By Michael Hann

Format:Audio CD

I was on holiday in Seattle in June 1999. In a record shop I flicked at a copy of No Depression, with Old 97's on the cover. They'd had nothing released in the UK and so, curious, I went over to the racks and picked up 'Fight Songs'. I didn't get to hear it until I returned home - which meant I foolishly not to go and see Old 97's playing in Seattle the night I bought the album. Because what a corker it is. Once I became aware of the 'the old stuff is much better' argument that seems to beset the band, I bought all the other albums, too. And this shines head and shoulders above them. Instead of the scuffed, adequate y'awlternative of those first few records, 'Fight Songs' is a delightful excursion into country-inflected pop. Those who argue otherwise are, presumably, embittered - as so many Wilco fans were - by 'their' band refusing to stay in the box that had been designated for them (we've all been guilty of this - I felt that way about The Smiths when they started breaking when I was a teenager - and we are all wrong to do so). There can be no other explanation for the ire directed at this record. It doesn't sound like the Eagles, it's not bland, it's not a sell-out (it doesn't sound like a chart album). It's just not a badly-produced hoedown record. It is, in fact, a crisp, clear statement of pop intent, with several wholly delightful songs ('A Murder Or A Heart Attack' being just the crispest, cleanest and catchiest) given terrific arrangements and a great production job. To read the knockers, you'd think Rhett Miller had started ripping off Poison. Dear God, fellas, get over it. Why encourage your heroes to wallow in mediocrity just so no-one else gets to like them?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Songs about love and loneliness August 26, 2001

By Damon Navas-Howard

Format:Audio CD

Yes, "Fight Songs" is a radio-friendly album and not so honky tonky as their other albums but it still is a great album. I don't really listen to the Radio anyways so I could care less if these songs are overplayed or not. This album has an all around certain mood that brings the listener back to the mood of a Johnny Cash or Tom Waits record. It's the feeling of loneliness, desolation, last cigarette and shot of whiskey, my girl's just left me, ands I'm stranded in this God forsaken boring town. The music style is Alternative (I hate using the term but it is) with Country tones. It isn't fully Country so don't worry. The lyrics and mood are what make this album so great. Take for example this beautifully chilling lyric from "Lonely Holiday": "I've thought so much about suicide, parts of me have already died. Lonely, baby I'm not lonely, baby I'm not. I got my imaginary friend..." I don't know how many times I've listened to "Lonely Holiday" when I've been depressed. Other great songs include: "Oppenheimer", "Murder (Or Heartattack)", and "Nineteen." There are a few dragging parts at the end but the songs listed above make the album worth buying. A lot of fans consider this a "Sell out" album but I think it may be their best. Give it a chance on a moody day.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I adore this album... November 21, 2001

By Sheri

Format:Audio CD

I cannot stop lstening to this CD. I had not heard of them until about three months ago, now they are on constant rotation on my cd player, in my car, at work....I am an addict. This is a fun, singable, listen all the way through type of CD. My only regret is that I only recently found the Old 97's. If you are in the mood for something different than what is on the radio, but still fun, this is the CD to have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Alt-Country, but not really March 22, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Audio CD

The Old 97s, members of the alt-country movement spearheaded by Uncle Tupelo and its offshoots Wilco and Son Volt, have achieved greatest commercial success to date with their fifth (?) album, which is, not surprisingly, also their least country-sounding record. Despite generous amounts of twang and occasionally morose lyrics ("I've thought so much about suicide, but parts of me have already died"), this is clearly a rock and roll album. In fact, it's reminiscent of days when the general music-listening public was not so afraid of country music and its trappings; when a number of mainstream rock acts (the Byrds, the Eagles) sounded far more like authentic country than a lot of commercial C&W these days (Shania Twain and her ilk.) The most immediately arresting song here is also the first single, "Nineteen," an ode to late-adolescent listlessness and lovelornitude which is as catchy as anything Tom Petty ever wrote, but the album is chock full of crunchy guitar hooks and rootsy head-bopping grooves, including the bright, propulsive "Murder (Or A Heart Attack)" and poppy shuffle "Oppenheimer." The lyrics are well-crafted, but have a familiar ring ("me and this girl, we've been falling in love..."), and lead singer Rhett Miller's voice is distinctive and appealing. While this release hardly brings anything new to the table, it's a great reminder of how fresh and enjoyable music can be when it sticks to the bare essentials; the elements that have been around since rock began.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pop Music For Now People February 23, 2000

By Dave

Format:Audio CD

It seems like you can divide these reviews for the Old 97s' "Fight Songs" into two categories -- negative reviews from longtime listeners who think it pales in comparison to the band's older material, and mostly positive reviews from relative newcomers to the band. Don't let the griping from so-called "fans" keep you from buying one of the best pop albums of 1999. This is a terrific album. Anytime a band seeks a bigger audience, there are always going to be people who want to brag about they knew the band before anyone else and what a tragedy it is that the band is reaching out to the unwashed masses. Blah, Blah, blah. Just listen to the CD.