Rolling Stone gave a rare 4-star review to “Most Messed Up” by Old 97’s. The band formed in Dallas in 1993 (so you figure out the meaning of “Old 97’s”) and are fronted by singer, guitarist and songwriter Rhett Miller. Their first record was released in 1994, and their latest just came out last week.
Listen to “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive” from “Most Messed Up”, and then try out “Question” from their 2001 album “Satellite Rides”. The older track was featured on an episode of the TV series “Scrubs”, a show noted for integrating a lot of music, new and old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEwFik6ObJs
Whenever alternative country is mentioned, we can’t help but think of our all time favorite, Cracker. The band was formed in 1991 by David Lowery and Johnny Hickman shortly after Lowery’s former band, Camper Van Beethoven, broke up.
Cracker hit it big with the song “Low” from their second album “Kerosene Hat”. Many of the band’s songs show a great sense of humor, like Old 97’s, none of them more than “Mr. Wrong” from their eponymous first album.
Cracker is still touring, and sometimes Lowery reunites Camper Van Beethoven for a double bill.
Music New to You from the Past and Present 
I’ve been a Old 97’s fan since they first appeared and Rhett Miller has one twisted sense of humor about romance that never gets old.
There was a bonus track on the Kerosene Hat CD … a classic hiogh driving song: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xct0j6_cracker-let-s-go-for-a-ride-live_music
And then there is the CVB cover of a cover of a Kinks classic used as closing music for The Sopranos, Season 5, Episode 10 … “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3rmEa64pGU
Wish they would go back to the studio
Thanks, John. I like the live Cracker video, and here’s a link to the Kinks version of the song if you want to compare. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkYoT5Gezo&feature=kp