Old 97’s: “The Grand Theatre, Volume One” (New West)
???? 1/2

Like perpetually youthful frontman Rhett Miller’s shaggy haircut, Old 97’s have a deceptively reckless, raggedy sound that works precisely because it’s not slicked up to over-perfection. What the band perfected is catchiness. Old 97’s’ latest batch of Clash-meets-country punk-twang rockers will definitely cause incessant humming. “Every Night is Friday Night (Without You),” “The Magician” and “A State of Texas” are classic illustrations of why the Old 97’s continue to charm. With Philip Peeples’ jet-propulsion drumming, Ken Bethea and Miller’s great guitar riffs and Murry Hammond’s 10-gallon bass, the band sounds wild and almost angry, but will drive you to dance giddily. Hammond’s “You Were Born to be in Battle,” a harmony-laden twanger, is a great offset to Miller’s groovers, which include a re-write of Dylan’s “Desolation Row” (“Champaign, Illinois”) his Bobness liked so much, he split the publishing. With “Texas,” Miller also gives his birth turf a new anthem. Can’t wait for “Volume Two.” — Lynne Margolis
Buy if you like: The Clash, Whiskeytown

Donavon Frankenreiter: “Glow” (Liquid Tambourine)
??? 1/2
For a guy who named his kids Hendrix and Ozzy, Donavon Frankenreiter is remarkably low-key. There’s an accessibility to his music, a directness that’s comforting, and his sleepy voice is downright soothing. His lyrics don’t make you puzzle about what he means, and they’re couched in pretty melodies framed by just-right instrumentation. “Shadows” has U2 guitars that swell what could be a small song into a bigger one. “Push” shows the influence of his surfer pals; it has Michael Franti all over it. Maybe it’s the ukulele, but even a song about hormonal mood swings sounds happy. “Hold On” is as close to a rocker as you’ll hear on this gentle disc, and that’s just fine. We wouldn’t want him to attempt Jimi Hendrix (or, perish the thought, Ozzy Osbourne). Songs that lull like ocean waves, including the really pretty “Home,” give us a nice glow. — Lynne Margolis
Buy if you like: Jack Johnson, Michael Franti

Dwight Twilley: “Green Blimp” (Big Oak)
??? 1/2
The original Dwight Twilley Band was one of rock’s great hopes that never made the impact many expected. During the mid-1970s, Twilley and his songwriting partner Phil Seymour released a pair of solid albums under the Dwight Twilley Band name that included several songs (“Girls” and “I’m On Fire” are the best known) that seemed like obvious hit singles. Unfortunately, label problems pretty much scuttled both albums and tensions between Twilley and Seymour ended the group in 1977. Since then, Twilley has continued to perform and release the occasional CD, the most recent being “47 Moons,” in 2005. He’s giving things another shot with “Green Blimp,” and this CD shows Twilley hasn’t lost his songwriting touch. Songs like “You Were Always There,” (with its dreamy, easy-going melody), “Doctor” (with its romping beat and sweet organ fills), “Speed of Light” (a crisp rocker) are prime power pop gems, while songs like the loping title track and the sprightly Beatles-esque piano-based tune “Me and Melanie” give the CD a nice bit of variety. A few songs on “Green Blimp” don’t take flight (“Witches in the Sky” and “Let It Rain”), but fans that know Twilley’s earlier work won’t be disappointed by his latest effort. — Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: The Beatles, Tom Petty

Hill Country Revue: “Zebra Ranch” (Razor & Tie)
??? 1/2
With the North Mississippi Allstars on hold for the time being while that band’s frontman/guitarist Luther Dickinson tours with the Black Crowes, his brother and Allstars bandmate, Cody Dickinson, is taking full advantage of the downtime. Anchoring his own band, Hill Country Revue, he’s stepping out from the shadow of his brother. With songwriting help from Garry Burnside (and guest appearances from brother Luther), “Zebra Ranch” (the group’s second CD) makes a pretty impressive statement of its own. Like the North Mississippi Allstars, this band is rooted in the raw blues of the Mississippi Hill Country, but brings more of a rock element to its sound. On “Zebra Ranch,” the group comes thundering out of the gate with three powerhouse rockers — “Raise Your Right Hand,” “Chalk It Up” and a very solid cover of Don Nix’s “Going Down.” Though the group mostly keeps things rocking, it varies things quite a bit with “Where You Belong,” a stellar track with a jazzy touch, the soulful “I Don’t Know About You” and with the funky feel of “Do Work.” It looks like the Dickinson brothers (they’re the sons of the late producer/session man Jim Dickinson) are well on their way to becoming a new leading family in the blues-rock genre. — Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: North Mississippi Allstars, Junior Kimbrough

Corin Tucker Band: “1,000 Miles” (Kill Rock Stars)
??? 1/2
The breakup of Sleater-Kinney four years ago was a real loss to the modern rock scene. Now Corin Tucker, whose turbo-powered voice was one of Sleater-Kinney’s most recognizable elements, is back with her own group — and the shadow of her former band’s considerable legacy offering her a considerable challenge. For the most part, Tucker and her new bandmates prove they are up to the task on “1,000 Miles.” The Corin Tucker Band isn’t a continuation of Sleater-Kinney. Sonically, the sound is more textured than that of Tucker’s former band. While a majority of the songs remain guitar based (“Doubt” — one of “1,000 Miles’” best songs — sounds like it escaped from the Sleater-Kinney vault), Tucker frequently reaches into her toolbox for some different instrumental toys. Instead of raucous guitars, “Handed Love” is built around organ. “Half A World Away” literally sounds like Tucker raided a toy box for the song’s percussion, while she dials back on the guitars that parry with her vocal on this excellent reggae-inflected tune. There’s even an effective piano ballad, “Miles Away.” What carries over is Tucker’s talent for jagged melody, raw emotion and musical adventure. Clearly, Tucker sounds like she’s doing just fine on her own. — Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: Sleater-Kinney, Girl In A Coma

DVD

The Rolling Stones: “Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones” (Eagle Vision)
????
There are those that consider “Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones” the best rock and roll concert movie ever made. That is debatable — although it was very well done for its time. What is true about the film, which hadn’t been available on DVD until now, is that it captures the Rolling Stones at the band’s absolute peak as a live band — in 1972, following the release of the “Exile On Main Street” album. Singer Mick Jagger may still be very spry for his age these days, but it’s fun to watch him strut, wiggle and shake his way around the stage as a young man. Guitarist Mick Taylor was the band’s secret weapon during this period, with his lead guitar and slide work on songs like “Midnight  Rambler,” “Dead Flowers” and “All Down The Line,” elevating the songs to new heights. No disrespect to Ron Wood, but the Stones were never the same after Taylor left the band in 1974. Meanwhile, guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts formed a tight and dynamic rhythm section. Plus, the band’s lineup was supplemented with horns (Jim Price and Bobby Keys) and keyboards (Nicky Hopkins), a big plus for songs like “Bitch” and “Rip This Joint.” The Stones continue to live under the banner of the world’s greatest rock and roll band. That’s probably no longer the case, but when these concerts were filmed, that claim was true. — Alan Sculley
Buy if you like: the Faces, Black Crowes