Rhett Miller's new CD shows growth, maintains roots

* A familiar perspective

Rhett Miller has historically done a superb job of mixing catchy riffs with an original, raw sound and lyrical style, whether he was playing with his band, the Old 97s, or pursuing a solo career.

On his first album, "The Instigator," Miller made a transition from the more hard-edged, almost borderline country tone of the Old 97s to a more polished, mainstream style of music.

However, this change was not necessarily for the worse, as the songs still boasted the many great hooks and lines that Miller has become so adept at writing.

"Come Around," the best song on the album, is a perfect representation of his prowess at building momentum during the verse before a chorus that pounds the theme of the song into the listener's head.

"The Believer," Miller's newest release, may not have a song quite at the level of "Come Around," but it does have much more variety than "The Instigator," his previous album.

"The Believer" arguably possesses a better aggregate of good songs, such as "Fireflies" and the opening song of the album: the pop-influenced, but well-written, "My Valentine."

While Miller is not a country singer, he definitely takes a more Southern route on this album, which can be heard through the guitar lines in "Fireflies" and two Old 97s remakes, "Question" and "Singular Girl."

The album also features more acoustic song selections, such as the aforementioned "Question" and the personal, reminiscent "The Believer."

All in all, though Miller appeals to the mainstream pop crowd more in "The Believer" than he ever has previously, the album has a greater variety of sounds and plenty of good songs that do not become repetitive.

The Dallas native again proves that he has loads of musical ability, a great singing voice and the capacity to put together multiple quality albums.

--John Fountain

* A new look

In time, nearly any CD can grow on me.

Though some of them soon grow old, I am rather confident Rhett Miller's "The Believer" will someday find itself among my collection of college classics.

Admittedly, Miller's genre of poppy folk-rock is certainly one of my favorites.

"My Valentine," the first track of "The Believer," resounds with harmonious vocals comparable to Rooney. The waltz-like "Brand New Way" flows with the mellowness of a Jeff Buckley or Elliot Smith tune.

Guest vocalist Rachael Yamagata adds a Sheryl Crow touch to "Fireflies" by joining Miller in a slow tale of departed lovers.

Though Miller's sound is reminiscent of many other artists, the variation between each track on this second solo album is a testament to his unique versatility.

Bouncy upbeat tracks such as "Singular Girl" and "I'm With Her" are immediately followed by the harsher-sounding "Delicate" and the soft, ballad-like "The Believer."

Most of Miller's songs are, indeed, about one thing: love.

However, he leads listeners on a journey with the many up and down tones, slow and fast paces and all-over-the- place emotions that often characterize real romances.

Miller is also lead singer and guitarist for the Old 97s, an alternative country band formed in 1993. His first solo recording, "Mythologies," goes back to 1989.

This acoustic folk CD received mixed reviews, but Miller demonstrates resounding confidence in "The Believer" on his Web site, www.rhettmiller.com.

"I always secretly fantasized about making the perfect record and then faking my own death, but none of my previous albums seemed quite good enough. Now, if I disappear, you should check the beach in Bora Bora because I feel pretty strongly about this one," he states.

Miller's feelings come with audible rationality. This album is catchy enough to lure and sustain listeners of all sorts.

Its pop beats are dance party material. Its slow folk rhythms make it nice background music for a long drive. Its fast-paced rock parts provide good adrenaline for an exercise playlist.

Even Miller's heartfelt lyrics alone make "The Believer" entertaining enough to simply sit and listen to.

In the CD's last track, "Question," Miller sings, "Someday somebody's gonna ask you/a question that you should say yes to/once in your life."

In this song, Miller suggests that everyone should at least try marriage.

Likewise, I recommend that you at least sample "The Believer."

This enjoyable CD is bound to please even the most noncommittal of listeners.

--Lacey Schauwecker