I thought this show was a significant improvement over the last Old 97s show I saw (I think between Instigator and Drag It Up?).
He played a LOT of songs. Very little banter. Whether because Rhett has no confidence in the new stuff, or he knew the audience didn't, there was no "new stuff" part of the set. It was just sprinkled throughout a pretty wide selection of Instigator and Old 97s material. The new songs are pretty weak; straight midtempo adult contemporary with more not-quite-clever lyrical turns than the disarmingly nerdy stuff from his last album. I do like Singular Girl, but I think that was an Old 97s b side or something.
Most everything sounded very good, though. The acoustic version of Timebomb was a little weak, due primarily to aforementioned guitar playing. Maybe I have a weak ear, but I feel like he has a Tej Leo-esque way of getting carried away on guitar so that you don't really know if he's still playing in time.
Probably the best parts were lack of Murray and retarded-looking lead guitarist from Old 97s. Current band is no improvement, though they are really good at making rock'n'roll faces. They must've trained under G.E. Smith. Oh, and Rhett's hair, which was fantastic.
Crowd seemed into it, a little too smiley and makeout-y. Surprising number of people left after the new single, which I'm not sure I've even heard. Is it getting radio play? Where?
