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Grade: A-
CD • The Texan alt-country pioneers The Old 97's made a welcome return to form with last year's "The Grande Theatre Volume One," and just when you thought they had reached their apex, here comes "The Grand Theatre, Volume Two," which is even better.
With the fiery spirit of a garage band, the melancholic and sharp self-skewering musings of frontman Rhett Miller, and just enough pop melody to keep things hopping, the quartet (named for a railroad ballad made famous by Johnny Cash, among others) has made its best album since 1999's "Fight Songs."
It is consistent, endlessly fun, and sounds great emanating from the opened sunroof of your car on a warm summer day, with a honky-tokn feel that still isn't off-putting to those who say they hate country music.
Forget the "alt-country" label: This is a solid, good rock 'n' roll album, with the band getting its groove — and its sun-kissed swagger — back.