A Lifetime Of Riding By Night
ATO, 2025
9/10
Listen to A Lifetime Of Riding By Night
Now 10 solo albums deep, the Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller brings us some of his most unguarded songs yet, which were fleshed out right before a risky surgery on his throat took place.
After the quick and bare acoustic guitar and soft singing of “A Little Song (Prologue)”, “All For You” recruits Murry Hammond’s warm piano and Richard Hewett’s light drumming that suits Miller’s vivid storytelling.
Getting close to the middle, “Be Mine” offers a romantic moment of cozy guitar and Miller’s emotive pipes that gets a bit more firm towards the end, while “The Bells of St. Mike’s” comes with an intimate dreaminess that tugs on the heartstrings via its gentle mood.
The title track arrives late and pairs the mature keys with fluid acoustic strumming, as Miller’s voice soars over the introspective musicianship, and “Brand New Heart” exits with a spareness that’s poetic and touching in its vulnerability.
The themes present surround mortality and love in its many iterations, where Miller’s authentic presence is greatly appreciated and it adds yet another dimension to his lengthy and exceptional career.
Travels well with: Old 97’s- American Primitive; Ketch Secor- Story The Crow Told Me