The Believer
With a title track inspired by the death of friend Elliot Smith,The Believerfinds singer/songwriter Rhett Miller striking a balance between regret and optimism (he became a first-time father since the last album). On his third solo effort, after 1989's hard-to-findMythologiesand 2002's nifty power-pop nuggetThe Instigator, Miller changed labels and joined forces with rock producer George Drakoulias (Tom Petty, the Black Crowes). Consequently, there are a few rave-ups here, like the not-so-delicate "Delicate" and the T-Rex-inspired "Ain't That Strange," but for the most part,The Believeris a lush, orchestrated affair--more mid-1980s Elvis Costello than mid-1970s Rolling Stones. Players include the multi-talented Jon Brion (Fiona Apple,Punch-Drunk Love), who manned the boards forThe Instigator, along with Gary Louris (from the Drakoulias-produced Jayhawks), and Rachael Yamagata. On the wistful "Fireflies," the sultry songstress and Miller trade verses like a modern day Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris. Most of the material onThe Believeris new, with the exception of the Old 97's compositions "Singular Girl" (a B-side) and the aching "Question"--presented here in a tender acoustic version--and "I Believe She's Lying." Ironically enough, on this Brion and Aimee Mann-penned number, Miller sounds a little like the Believer himself: The late, great Smith.--Kathleen C. Fennessy