Customer Reviews

Mimeograph EP [Explicit]

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4 star:		(1)
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Let me start by admitting I'm a longtime Old 97's fan. With Wilco, they are one of my favorite live bands of all time. This release, while brief, shows their flexibility in moving from alt-country to power pop, much as their excellent album "Satellite Rides" did. Song by song:

Rocks Off - The original version is my favorite Stones' song off my favorite Stones' record, "Exile on Main Street." I was apprehensive about how the 97's would treat this classic, buit I need not have been. The bass, drums, and guitars all bring something new to the song, while remaining thematically true to the original. I was very happy they retained the horns that bring so much punch to the chorus. The vocals are a bit muddy, but I have to think that was deliberate. Mick's original loose and rambling style couldn't be topped anyway, and Rhett's version works very well. I enjoy this track very much.

For the Girl - A cover of a fine Fratellis' song - very tight, changing tempos and trading off "la-la-la's." The exuberance exhibited in this song makes it a perfect summer driving song, especially if traffic is cooperating and you can lower your foot on the ol' gas pedal some. Just a fun song.

Driver 8 - A true to the original version of the REM classic. I actually like this version better than the original - it may be considered blasphemy by REM faithful, but I think Rhett has a much better voice than Michael Stipe. The Old 97 version prompted me to pick up my guitar again after neglecting it for a few months and play along. I don't know if there's higher praise than that.

Five Years - A Bowie cover. Sadly, I don't like this song. It's covered quite competently, but I just don't like the song (primarily for the lyrics. Something about a girl crying, a soldier, and the whole world dying just seems unneccessarily emotive.) I don't blame the 97's for this, but I've only listened to this version a couple times.

I would give five stars to the first three songs on the EP. I give the release four stars overall just because I'm not a fan of the last song. The band sounds like they're having fun, and are as tight as they always are in live shows. A very nice appetite whetter before their next full length release!