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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

The Instigator
by Rhett Miller


8.7

based on 14 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 11 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The Believer

This solo set by the frontman of the (still intact) Old 97s was produced by Jon Brion, and ventures away from the alt-country sound of that group's work.

LABEL:	Elektra
RELEASE DATE:	24 September 2002
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, Rock, Singer-Songwriter

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Sung with the versatile confidence of a star, and impeccably assisted by ace producer Jon Brion, The Instigator's songs feel instantly familiar in the best way possible.

Launch.com

Offers 12 diamonds that aren't quite total pop or total rock--but fall in a wonderful zone somewhere in between.

PopMatters

One of the year's best pop albums.

Blender

Miller ups the melodic ante, staking his claim to becoming his generation's answer to Nick Lowe or Marshall Crenshaw. [#10, p.123]

CDNow

Miller explores his usual subjects -- getting out of places and into relationships -- with more unusual touches.

Entertainment Weekly

Though much of Instigator is merely pleasant, its fantastic first five cuts have the feel of the most happily heartbroken radio station on earth.

Flak Magazine

Any imperfections Miller has on this album were already there in Old 97's and shouldn't deter fans. The chances he takes are slight but bold -- a little more sincerity, a little more musically risky.

Neumu.net

The songwriting is self-assured and thoughtful; the album is unified as a pastiche of romantic musings.

Pitchfork

Miller offers more than enough quality material here to justify stepping out on his own: what he's occasionally lacking in energy, he largely makes up for with craft.... That said, it's unlikely to instigate much beyond some afternoon head-nodding, and even some of Miller's fans will be somewhat put off by the album's borderline MOR sound.

Austin Chronicle

Fans of the Old 97's most recent work will surely snap The Instigator up with glee; in fact, anyone who likes their guitar pop sprinkled with a little angst will be pleased with what Rhett Miller has come up with on his own.

Billboard

These tracks lack the magnetism of Miller's material with the band.

All Music Guide

Hearing Miller's unmistakable singing and songwriting style without Murry Hammond's backing vocals and the rest of the 97's chunky country-rock-pop behind him seems a little less than it could be.

Rolling Stone

Too self-consciously crafted for its own good.

Magnet

Shallow and superficial. [#56, p.101]

The average user rating for this album is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Gary O gave it a 9:
World Inside the World is a timeless classic, the rest of the songs are just great.

Fred K gave it a 9:
great guitar work, excellent drumming, well-produced. one of those discs I look forward to hearing.....happy-feet city....

Matt M gave it a 10:
Maybe not so lyrically strong (Four-Eyed Girl come to mind) as Old 97's material, the pop hooks are incredible and songs like "This is What I Do" "Our Love" and "Come Around" will definitely keep you wanting more. "The El" seems to be a song geared towards diehard Old 97's songs.

matt e gave it an 8:
a lot of these critics are saying that it is the lack of the rest of the old 97s that make this record seem off; however, it is on the sweeter tracks like 'terrible vision", "world inside the world", and "your nervous heart", songs that dont fit the band's style, that the album shines.

Brian C gave it a 10:
Seems like to me, the next logical step after Satellite Rides. Good that it came out under Rhett Miller as opposed to another 97s record since it only has one song with a train beat...fans would be outraged...

james l gave it a 9:
a pop gem

Ben C gave it a 9:
I am an old fan of the 97's, and of course was kind of bummed to see Rhett go solo for this album, but I bought it and I think it's great! Too Far to Care is my fav 97's CD, and while some of his songs on this album may seem kind of soft and poppy, if you imagine them with more aggressive instrumentation you know that Rhett Miller's songwriting has essentially remained the same. I give it a 9 because I don't want to seem like a fanboy. Rhett Miller is a great artist, and I hope he hits it big.

The Instigator by Rhett Miller

The Instigator
by Rhett Miller