Most Messed Up
Old 97's · 2014
39 min · 12 tracks · alternative country
A raucous blend of alternative country and rock with sharp, self-deprecating lyrics and infectious melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On — This track encapsulates the album's playful yet poignant examination of nightlife and relationships, highlighting both humor and vulnerability in the songwriting.
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Wheels Off — The song reflects on the chaos of life with an infectious chorus that perfectly balances a sense of resignation and acceptance, embodying the essence of the album.
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Intervention — With its introspective lyrics and driving rhythm, this track serves as a cathartic moment on the album, showcasing the band's ability to blend seriousness with upbeat instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic songwriting with sharp lyrics, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with upbeat tempos, while the second half introduces slower tracks that create a reflective mood.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns between the lead singer and backing vocals, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
- The lyrics often employ humor and self-deprecation, with sharp turns of phrase that stand out in the verses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- self-deprecating humor throughout
- for casual gatherings
- short tracks for quick listens
- raucous energy with infectious melodies
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of slow, reflective music
- prefer lengthy, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Most Messed Up is the Old 97's ninth studio album and marks their return after a four-year hiatus following the album The Grand Theatre Volume Two. At this point, the band had established themselves as a cornerstone of the alt-country genre, blending honky-tonk roots with punk rock energy.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Whiskeytown· The Jayhawks· Son Volt
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Longer Than You’ve Been Alive 5:52
- 2 Give It Time 3:23
- 3 Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On 3:03
- 4 This Is the Ballad 2:39
- 5 Wheels Off 3:05
- 6 Nashville 2:35
- 7 Wasted 2:53
- 8 Guadalajara 2:52
- 9 The Disconnect 4:00
- 10 Ex of All You See 2:52
- 11 Intervention 3:49
- 12 Most Messed Up 2:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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