American Primitive is the thirteenth studio album by veterans Old 97’s. The record is arriving just months before the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Hitchhike to Rhome. The band, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Rhett Miller, bassist Murry Hammond, guitarist Ken Bethea, and drummer Philip Peeples, describes the album as a “de-evolution,” featuring big, loud, brutal, and dirty songs. Produced by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists, Neko Case) and featuring guest musicians like Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of The Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5, the album was recorded in whirlwind sessions at Flora Studio in Portland, Oregon, with zero pre-production. American Primitive finds Old 97’s in a familiar place, but its seamless transitions and concise songwriting contribute to the most free-flowing record the band has released in years.
The album merges an unvarnished sound with punchy storytelling, showcasing Old 97’s signature and staple blend of alt-country, rock, and punkabilly. It radiates a fun joy of just making music and being in a band while addressing complex themes of love, mental illness, and societal challenges. The tracks here have a more mature nature to them, like a more classic Americana, all the way down to the excellent instrumental closer “Estuviera Cayendo.”
American Primitive retains the raw and reckless energy of timeless rock and roll while showcasing a band more attuned than ever to their primal instincts. It represents a continuation of Old 97’s exploration of their musical roots while pushing their sound into new territories. This album really couldn’t have been released earlier in their career as it reflects all of their historical life experience knowledge and lessons from countless live shows. It’s all on display over its 13 tracks.
“Falling Down” opens the album with frenzied riffs and restless grooves, encapsulating a joy of living vibe from the start. “Somebody” is a thumping punkabilly anthem that has a darker edge to it as it addresses the hopelessness of intense relationships. “Where The Road Goes” takes on a more mellow tone that just rolls with its heartfelt vocal delivery from Miller. It is a true grower on the album as the more you hear it, the better the track gets. “By The End Of The Night” is a fun memorable track as it has a catchy whistling throughout the song that I could see played live or just sitting around a campfire!
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
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