The Grand Theatre Volume Two

The nature of rock `n roll is that we fall in love with our favorite bands, only to be disappointed when the inevitable decline sets in. We watch the release calendar and buy the new albums hoping for that most elusive of creatures, an excellent album from a band after the shine of youth wears off. How often does it happen? Almost never. No, really. Take a look at your collection; the norm is a painful, slow decline, yielding ever increasing disappointment on one release day after another as your interest slowly wanes.But the core fans keep buying, hoping to find that one album that will buck the trend and deliver the goods after all those years of singing along in the car, cramming into hot, sweaty nightclubs for shows, and hunting for information on upcoming releases. Lately I had begun to suspect that we were chasing a unicorn, a fantasy. Despite ubiquitous, overly optimistic, and unreliable "they're back" reviews in the music press regarding every band past their 30s, the decline of our favorite bands seems inevitable.Old 97's fans have been wondering for a while which way their beloved--and chronically underappreciated--band was going to go. The live shows have always delivered; this is a band that is throwing gas every night. But the lifeblood of a band is new music--lest one devolve into a greatest hits band.The Old 97's albums from 1999's Fight Songs to 2008's Blame It on Gravity had a lot of good tracks, but not as many great ones as Old 97's fans have grown to expect. There certainly were great ones, such as "Murder (Or a Heart Attack)," "Valentine," "Can't Get a Line," "Won't Be Home," "Adelaide," and "No Baby I," to name a few; but, it was not uncommon to run into another fan who grumbled about the "new stuff."That is not to say they were bad albums--the Old 97's have never put out a bad album. Perhaps it was because the band's sound was getting away from its roots and venturing into territory where there is a lot of competition and a band like the Old 97's could get lost in the noise. True greatness seemed to be in danger of fading away, the old story perhaps playing out yet again, as it always seems to do.Then came 2010 and the release of The Grand Theatre, Volume One. Suddenly things started to get interesting. The standout tracks were not just good, they were great. The band was back to the swaggering, growling, tuned-down, stomping Texas sound that nobody does as well as the Old 97's. Could it be? With interest piqued, fans eagerly awaited the second half of the set.The wait is over. Bucking the odds, with the release of The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 the Old 97's have accomplished what very few bands have ever done. Eighteen years in, these guys are making some of the best music of their careers. This album is not good; it's great.The band lights the fuse with "Brown Haired Daughter," which lets you know right out of the gate that this is going to be a great one. It rumbles into the riotous "I'm a Trainwreck" and then rolls down the tracks with one solid song after another. The arrangements are outstanding. "Ivy" is vintage Old 97's, done as well as ever. The instrumental "Marquita" is excellent; guitarist Ken Bethea is in top form. "Visiting Hours" is another track that shows off the songwriting skills these guys have honed. Like many great albums, it even has a fine coda in "You Call It Rain," an optimistic and fun acoustic wrap-up.But it is not just a few great songs. This is a great album, a really great album. These guys are as tight as anyone would be after eighteen years, but the strength here in the songwriting. They nailed the perfect smirking tone that the Old 97's have mastered, the attitude, the harmonies, the rhythm, the Beatles-esque sharing of lead singing duties, the clever lyrics, the stories. At the recent shows I found myself hoping the band would play more songs from the new album. It is one of those albums I wish I could see played live from start to finish. When was the last time the fans of any well-established band remember that happening? Whether the masses are listening or not, this is one of the best bands out there, and after eighteen years they are getting better. That just does not happen. I cannot wait to hear what comes next.

Like others have said, this sounds quite a bit like an older Old 97's record. I also agree that it's stronger than Vol. 1. There's plenty of haunting twang here, but also a nice range of songs like most of the 97's discs released in the past 10 years or so.And, this comes with an interesting twist in that the two Murry Hammond-led contributions are both absolute standout tracks, and amongst the very best stuff Murry has ever contributed to the 97's.This is a band that's been going strong for almost 20 years now, and while I'll probably always view Too Far Too Care as one of the best records made in my lifetime, it's incredible to see the Old 97's continue to deliver unique, sometimes surprising (hints of Ireland & a 79 second instrumental!) & overall just great new music.Highly recommended!

didnt purchase volume 1 bc I was so bored with the preceding records and solo stuff. amazon sent me a notice that this one was due out soon and bc these guys are one of my all time favorite bands I decided to pull the trigger. In reality they've given me more listening pleasure over the years than I could ever give them back buying their stuff, though mostly on the back of recordings from 01 and prior.Bottom line this is a great record and I soon will order volume one bc of it. It is really nice to enjoy such greatness from the Old 97's, kind of a deja vu to 1996. I don't know how they did it bc it seems once you go stale you rarely get your groove back (wilco, stones). but they did. Kudos to murry, philip, ken and rhett

When a band has been around long enough their later output always gets compared to their watershed album (in this case Too Far to Care). Over the years every new album has been compared favorably or unfavorably to that high bar. This time I can say without reservation that this is their finest album since 'Too Far to Care'. Even better than the excellent 'Satellite Rides'. I play this CD over and over, something I haven't done with even the best Old 97s releases of the last 10 years. These songs pop along at a brisk pace with typically great lyrics and are so hooky you'll be singing them for days. The only slightly weak track is Manhattan (I'm Done), everything else is pure gold. Get it NOW!

How do these guys do it? Just when you think they can't have any more masterpieces in them they put this album out. It is incredible. It has it all. I have to admit that there are a few on here that are slightly different of the Old 97s formula and I might like them best (probably because they take me by surprise). When I listened to this the first time I actually stopped the CD and listened to White Port, Manhattan, and You Call It Rain twice. They really grab you. Even if you are not a big fan of Old 97s (though everyone should be) this album will have many things you are going to love. Get it right away!

There is not one bad Old 97s album. Just buy it.

I've been a fan of this band for a very long time. And this is an enjoyable effort. I don't really hear any destined to be classics on here but for a fan it is essential. If you are new to the band I suggest you start with "alive and wired"