Old 97's

Believe it or not, 2008 marked the 15th anniversary of Old 97's' formation. Actually, that fact's not so surprising when you consider all the crucial alt-country albums they've released among glimpses of white-knuckle punk and hook-seeking power-pop. Hit play on any of the following cuts to hear their history in song, from the lightly seasoned balladry of "Question" to the rollicking, beer-soaked grooves of "Timebomb" — a bar brawl just waiting to happen. Can't forget a hearty helping of twang-centric tunes, either, served up courtesy of "Wish the Worst" and "Big Brown Eyes."

And then there's the solo career of singer/guitarist Rhett Miller, which is featured alongside more Old 97's tracks in our Next Steps.

While we certainly don't endorse quitting school, Rhett Miller's easily one of Dallas' coolest college dropouts, leaving Sarah Lawrence College behind for early attempts at folk and Anglophile pop. Hey, at least he eventually applied his creative writing skills to the wry tales of Old 97's and a pair of recent solo albums. The latter's in full bloom here, including the lonesome chords and lovelorn lyrics of "Come Around," the candlelit duet of "Fireflies," and the whiskey-swilling, piano-pounding saloon routine of "Singular Girl."

More than 15 years of proving everyone wrong has produced quite a few fan favorites and rarities, too, as heard throughout our Deep Cuts.

"Cryin' Drunk" — what a song title, and what a way to sum up Old 97's' appeal in two simple words. Not that the Dallas natives are downers, per say — they're just here for you in good times and bad, like a bartender whose ear is always open. Don't take our word for it, though. Listen and learn as Rhett Miller leads the boys through a playful, road-tripping anthem ("Stoned"), a pint-slamming pop song ("Rollerskate Skinny"), a couple of high notes ("The New Kid"), and a moonlit shuffle that'll make you want to jump into a '65 Chevy no matter how late it is ("Northern Line").

An alt-country legend on par with Wilco and Whiskeytown, Old 97's survived several sonic shifts and Rhett Miller solo albums on their way to becoming critical darlings and a reason for living among diehard fans. Despite those sonic shifts, one thing's remained constant: the Dallas foursome are traditionalists at heart, with an ear for meaty hooks and heart-tugging storylines, whether they're served up via the jangling chords and sugar-spun melodies of power pop — Satellite Rides, Miller's own The Instigator — or the range-roaming riffs and bar-bound confessionals of cowpoke-rock, à la Wreck Your Life, Hitchhike to Rhome. Pulled from a dozen albums and as many years, our Old 97's Essentials is just what diehard fans live for: all the choice cuts, the best of both worlds.