Old 97's

Sat., Dec. 11, 9 p.m., $32.25, with Hayes Carll, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

by M.J. Fine

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Published: Dec 8, 2010

[ rock/pop ]

Any Old 97's album is a good thing, in the sense that it gives the band an excuse to tour. The stage, after all, is where they really come alive. But The Grand Theatre Volume One(New West) is their strongest set in years, packed with the most roadworthy tunes since 2001's Satellite Rides. It starts with a swagger ("The Grand Theatre") and ends with a sigh ("The Beauty Marks"); in between, there's a healthy ratio of bravado to insecurity, twang to pop, and snark to sincerity, plus an amiable "Desolation Row" rewrite ("Champaign, Illinois"). Let's hope Volume Two, due in mid-2011, keeps up.

Sat., Dec. 11, 9 p.m., $32.25, with Hayes Carll, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

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