The Interpreter (Live at Largo)
Artist: Rhett Miller
Label: Maximum Sunshine
Website: rhettmiller.com
Home on
the stage
The live
stage has always been a place that Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller has
shone and on this 14-song set, recorded during his final two live
performances at the original location of Largo in 2008, Miller gives
you a sincere show of cover tunes.
The
album gives you some insight of
why the Old 97's have never stayed in the Americana genre, as Live At Largo lets you in on
Miller's favorites, which include artists like Tom Petty, David Bowie,
Elliott Smith, The Beatles, The Pixies, The Ramones, The Kinks and Bob
Dylan.
Most of
the songs are played acoustic while five
of them features producer/composer Jon Brion (Spoon, Robyn Hitchcock)
and a solid bonus version of "Wave Of Mutilation" even has Pixies Joey
Santiago helping out.
Everything on here is taken at the most
lighthearted, which is driven by the fun attitude of Miller.
Some of
the songs like "American Girl" and "Queen Bitch" struggle a bit in this
format but still are enjoyable listens while Elliott Smith's
"Happiness" is excellent along with The Beatles "I'll Cry Instead".
The Interpreter: Live At Largo is a record that both Rhett Miller and Old 97's fans both will enjoy from beginning to end. It is not an album that you will revisit often but when you do, it will definitely give you something to smile about as you hum along with every tune.
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews, check out The Fire Note