The Believer
by Rhett Miller
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9

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  1. Stan
    Apr 8, 2006
    8
    I like this a lot more than the last 97's album too. I like Singular Girl at least as much here, and you can't blame him for rerecording "Question" which should be a hit somewhere. Put him in the long tradition of artists like Matthew Sweet, Marshall Crenshaw and The DB's who put out perfect pop songs and will never make it on the radio. What's wrong with this world?
  2. TomW
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    This album, like The Instigator is the kind that makes you wish you were a sad, out of love pop singer. Yeah, the songs are safe, but why does an album need to be always need to push some new button, or for that matter, change in sound and content from the last work. These are great songs written by an artist that I hope will continue coming out with solo stuff. I really enjoy the Old This album, like The Instigator is the kind that makes you wish you were a sad, out of love pop singer. Yeah, the songs are safe, but why does an album need to be always need to push some new button, or for that matter, change in sound and content from the last work. These are great songs written by an artist that I hope will continue coming out with solo stuff. I really enjoy the Old 97s, but to be honest, I enjoy fight songs and Satellite Rides more than any of the twangy albums. This is RM's chance to continue where Old 97s left off before they back peddled on their last album (not that I don't enjoy it). Finally, I do believe that Rhett Miller is headed more on the right path to making the perfect pop album than Rivers Cuomo could ever hope. Keep it up!… Expand
  3. SteveM
    Mar 3, 2006
    10
    This guy is a master songwriter! It amazes me that he's not bigger than he is in terms of public recognition.
  4. Presto
    Feb 28, 2006
    7
    If I wasn't an Old 97's completist I don't think I'd even give Rhett Miller's solo stuff much of a chance but this album, which doesn't sound that different from his last one, is pleasant enough not to offend and catchy enough to stick around. I guess I like it but more than anything it just makes me miss the Old 97's and the Rhett Miller who wrote songs If I wasn't an Old 97's completist I don't think I'd even give Rhett Miller's solo stuff much of a chance but this album, which doesn't sound that different from his last one, is pleasant enough not to offend and catchy enough to stick around. I guess I like it but more than anything it just makes me miss the Old 97's and the Rhett Miller who wrote songs like Bel Air and Timebomb.… Expand
  5. KeithH
    Mar 24, 2006
    9
    A catchy,sometimes thrilling album that grows with repeated listening.
  6. Matt
    Mar 7, 2006
    9
    Less rocky than the last album, and more alt-country - but just as satisfying. Lots of good, basic song structure here.
  7. JDSaint
    Apr 4, 2006
    8
    Better than the Old 97s Drag it Up or the 1st Rhett Miller solo The Instigator. This one continues the evolution from alt country to power pop though the re-recording of Singular Girl is actually twangier than the Satellite Rides outtake - and Question is inferior to the all acoustic original.
  8. StephenV
    May 19, 2006
    9
    Rhett Miller understands how to write catchy songs that get better with repeated listens. I can't understand the low ratings. To me it is one of the top five recordings of 2006. Having said that I still prefer the Old 97's.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Blender
    70
    There's a little too much goop here. [Mar 2006, p.113]
  2. NOW Magazine
    40
    Miller's compositions are typically well crafted and slightly artier than what you'd hear on, say, a Josh Groban disc, but this isn't too far off that sort of pouty boy bellowing.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    A few more quirks and blemishes might've made it more memorable. [3 Mar 2006, p.100]
See all critic reviews »