This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Rhett Miller (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Jon Brion (acoustic & electric guitars, dobro, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, vibraphone, bass, drums, background vocals); Robyn Hitchcock (electric guitar, background vocals); David Garza (guitar, bass, background vocals); Jim Keltner (drums, percussion); Josh Freese, Dan MacCarroll (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); John Doe, Karen Kilgarriff, Chrissy Guerro (background vocals).
Recorded at NRG Studios, Los Angeles, California.
Personnel: Rhett Miller (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Jon Brion (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, dobro, piano, vibraphone, drums, background vocals); Robyn Hitchcock (electric guitar, background vocals); Jim Keltner (drums, percussion); Josh Freese (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Dav¡d Garza (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Bob Clearmountain.
Recording information: NRG Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Mark Seliger.
Sure, Rhett Miller is the former leader of a cult-idolized '90s alt country band (the Old 97's) who's since become a major label's next-big-thing candidate in the roots-rock sweepstakes, but don't dismiss him as just another Ryan Adams. That may be exactly the slot in which Miller's label hopes THE INSTIGATOR will fit, but there's more to the story than that. Miller's not some introspective troubadour pouring his heart out; he's a pop-rocker pure and simple. With considerable help from West Coast multi-instrumentalist wiz Jon Brion, Miller crafts an album's worth of upbeat, catchy power-pop tunes full of crafty changes and witty lyrics. And no less cool a personage than Robyn Hitchcock guests; that's gotta tell you something about Miller's credibility.
Professional Reviews
Entertainment Weekly (9/27/02, p.86) - "...Miller's simmering pop prosperity is finally outed, with his guy-and-a-guitar approach finding a safe home in Jon Brion's rich production..." - Rating: B
