the type of album that changes your life... - The Old 97 s Wreck Your Life is an album that changes one s life. No matter what type of music you dig, there s somethng on the record for everybody. From the opening cut Victoria (This is the story of Victoria Lee/She started out on Percodan and ended up with me) to the closing salvo of Goin , Goin , Gone, Wreck Your Life is nothing short of a masterpiece. Most tended to label the 97 s as an alt-country/punk-country/whatever... sort of band at the time of this record, but I really think the 97 s defy genres. The country influence is definitely here-and it s a good, crisp, traditionalist sound rounded out by Rhett Miller s acoustic strumming and waltz-time tunes as well as Ken Bethea s Telecaster wrangling, but there is a punkish enthusiasm and bite to the songs as well as some pop leanings. Besides, Wreck Your Life is certainly, lyrically, the most memorable album of the 97 s career, yet. Just listen to Dressing Room Walls for proof.
It depends on what you like - If you like achingly clever lyrics, brlliantly-turned phrases, crunching guitar cords, driving drum tracks, mind altering hooks, and toe tapping fun, you will like this album. Seriously, this is as finely crafted pop/rock/twang-a-billy album as you are likely to find. Perfect.
a great album from a great band - The only reason I didn t give 5 stars is due to a couple weak songs- W-I-F-E and Goin Goin Gone. But everything else is pure joy with Over the Cliff and Big Brown Eyes my favorite. To crank the music and sing Please don d call me cool just call me a$$hole or I m calling Time and Temperature just for some company is the most fun you can have with your pants on. Highly recommended.
Good, but not as good as Too Far to Care, IMO. - This one is a little more Poppy than Too Far to Care. I like the more twangy country style of Too Far to Care. To me, that s what makes the Old 97 s great.
Fantastic - After falling in love with Satellite Rides and Fight Songs, I purchased Wreck Your Life on a whim. I immediately found that I was able to relate to the tunes and lyrics in a way that I d almost forgotten was possible. The album s absolutely packed with the irreverent innocence and frenetic (and often painful) love that I just can t get enough of. Wreck Your Life is my new favorite album.