Blame It on Gravity
Old 97's · 2008
46 min · 13 tracks · alternative country
A vibrant blend of alternative country and rock, infused with witty storytelling and infectious melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dance With Me — This track captures the carefree spirit of the album with its upbeat tempo and playful lyrics, encouraging listeners to embrace spontaneity. Its catchy chorus makes it a quintessential anthem for revelry.
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She Loves the Sunset — This song showcases the band's knack for vivid imagery and heartfelt storytelling, painting a nostalgic picture of love against the backdrop of a fading day. The emotional resonance is heightened by its melodic structure.
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Color of a Lonely Heart Is Blue — The closing track stands out for its introspective lyrics and somber tone, providing a reflective counterpoint to the more energetic songs. Its exploration of loneliness adds depth to the album's overall narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends catchy melodies with clever lyrics but lacks strong cohesion in its latter half.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- The instrumentation often includes prominent guitar riffs and harmonized backing vocals, creating a rich sound texture.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- witty storytelling for road trips
- infectious melodies for gatherings
- vibrant energy on sunny days
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek deep introspective experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2008, Blame It on Gravity marked the Old 97's return after a three-year hiatus following their album, Drag It Up. At this point in their career, the band was navigating a transition into more mature themes while maintaining their signature energetic sound. This album also followed a period of lineup stability, featuring founding members Rhett Miller and M. Ward, solidifying their creative chemistry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Whiskeytown· The Jayhawks· Son Volt
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Fool 4:16
- 2 Dance With Me 2:39
- 3 No Baby I 3:32
- 4 My Two Feet 3:27
- 5 Ride 3:30
- 6 She Loves the Sunset 2:37
- 7 This Beautiful Thing 3:06
- 8 I Will Remain 3:11
- 9 Early Morning 2:50
- 10 The Easy Way 4:26
- 11 Here's to the Halcyon 2:46
- 12 Color of a Lonely Heart Is Blue 5:51
- 13 The One 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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