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- Summary: 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.
- Record Label: Elektra
- Genre(s): Rock, Alternative, Singer-Songwriter
- More Details and Credits »
Top Track
Come Around | |
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I'm dressed all in blue and I'm rememberin you and the dress you wore, When you broke my heart I'm depressed upstairs and I'm rememberin where and... | See the rest of the song lyrics |
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 10 out of 14
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Mixed: 3 out of 14
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Negative: 1 out of 14
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One of the year's best pop albums.
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Offers 12 diamonds that aren't quite total pop or total rock--but fall in a wonderful zone somewhere in between.
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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.
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The songwriting is self-assured and thoughtful; the album is unified as a pastiche of romantic musings.
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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.
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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.
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MagnetShallow and superficial. [#56, p.101]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 2 out of 3
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Mixed: 1 out of 3
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Negative: 0 out of 3
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jameslOct 6, 2002a pop gem
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BenCOct 5, 2002
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S.E.JohnsonOct 3, 2002
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