Mimeograph

This EP from alt-country faves Old 97’s is a carefully selected collection of covers of the Rolling Stones’ “Rocks Off,” the Fratellis’ “For the Girl,” R.E.M.’s “Driver 8” and David Bowie’s “5 Years.” The straightforward approach of the band can’t be denied. Old 97’s play solid, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll made all the more emotionally real by singer Rhett Miller, who sings with hints of desperation underneath his hard-rock swagger. The Stones’ “Rocks Off” is a tad muted, playing within the lines of the Jagger-Richards combination. The Fratellis’ “For the Girl” delivers the same manic energy present on the Fratellis’ album *Costello Music*. R.E.M.’s “Driver 8” also sprawls out like a testy piece of pop music, while Bowie’s “5 Years” sounds like an alt-country band surrendering to the vices of glam rock, with Miller affecting his best Bowie pose. It’s great fun to hear a great band running through a few of their faves.