Customer Reviews

Hit by a Train: The Best of Old 97's

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I've been a fan of Old 97's for a while now, so it's easy for me to recommend "Hit By a Train: The Best of Old 97's." The only problem I'm having is trying to figure out exactly why this is considered a "best of." Quite frankly, each of their albums stand quite well on their own, and in many ways equals the overall quality of this collection. There are a few songs here that I personally would not have included, ("their rendition of "El Paso", for instance), while there are plenty of songs from each studio album whose inclusion would have been easily justified ("Wreck Your Life"'s "W-I-F-E" and "The Other Shoe," and "Too Far to Care"'s "Streets Where I'm From", for instance). Nevertheless, "Hit By a Train" is an entertaining listen from start to finish. In that sense, this is more of a sampler than a collection of their best hits.
Miller has a tendency toward song-title puns that don't do justice to the songs themselves ("Cryin' Drunk," "Crash on the Barrelhead" - not included here), but this only points out his self-consciously clever way with a phrase. The band has obviously mastered the two-step `train beat' (3 tracks here) and the hard-bouncing "Texas shuffle" (which accounts for eight of the CD's eighteen tracks), but it's Miller's lyrics that keep you coming back for more, even after repeated listens. Miller's albums as a solo artist certainly hold up well, but it's his work with Old 97's that is most effective, which is why this collection works as well as it does. How can you not love an album containing "Barrier Reef," "Lonely Holiday," "Jagged" and "Victoria," all on the same disk? "Hit By a Train" encapsulates some of the band's best moments, and hardcore fans of the band will want this if only for the non-album tracks (the above-mentioned "El Paso" and "Cryin' Drunk"), but casual fans would do well to continue exploring their catalog further. A- Tom Ryan

Buy this cd. You will love some of the tracks intensely. Then, go buy the original cd's those tracks appeared on. Soon you will love those cd's and every song on this one (except maybe 1 or 2) and you will have to own the entire Old 97's catalog. Maybe it costs you around $100 total. But it will give you years of intense listening pleasure. It's the best deal ever. Plus you can catch them playing a show and even though you know all the songs by heart, they will still make you smile ear to ear. Trust me.

If you're really head over heals after all that, get Rhett's solo stuff. You'll like that as well. And if you're a metro-sexual type, be sure to get his latest release "the believer" because you will like the picture on the cover.

If you have ever heard an Old 97's song, and have liked that Alt/Country/Rock sound. This CD is a good choice. My personal favorite song is,"TimeBomb". The songs are well written and performed. Its a different kind of music to listen to. But it is something to check out if you've never tried it. I don't know how anyone can listen to Top 40, other than 12 year old girls! So if you appreciate good solid music, this is something to check out.

I love this CD, especially breaking it out a friendly get togethers. It was perfect for our camping trip beach bonfire.

This is a great CD with some of their best works. If you want to sample the Old 97s, this is the best place to start.

I love the OLD 97'S. My number 2 son turned me on to them with this album. They are classified as "Alternative Country or Rock" depending how you look at them. They aren't for everybody, the more you listen the better you grow on them. They are for me, that's all that counts.

You can't beat this CD. If you like rockabilly and the Old 97's this is a great collection of some of their best work, in my opinion.

I agree with Ryan, any one of the 97's albums could be a best of on its own. These guys continue to produce consistently moving and fun albums. But if you are starting out, or if you want some of the songs you can't get anywhere else, buy this album. You will be glad you did.

If you like Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown or Ryan Adams or just great country tinged rock, youll love the Old 97's, although if you like any of the above you probably already know the Old 97's. Rhett Millers's songwriting is great. He has that lyrical ability that writers like Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and later on Ben folds have, which is to be completely funny and sarcastic in a profound and ironic way and he writes killer melodies with great hooks. Like any great songwriter he has a great band. ken, murray and philip are great. The old 97's are one of the most consistent bands around, if you like one cd youll probably like them all.This is definetly worth picking up. Even if you dont like country you might still like them, they have as much of a Replacements, Stones, Costello influence as they do The Byrds or Gram Parsons. My only complaint was that this Best of didnt contain the songs Big Brown Eyes, Wish the Worst or Wont be Home.

Bought this for my husband and he absolutely loves it. I'm sick of hearing this everytime we get into the car but he enjoys it so.

Highly recommend.