Rolling Stone (p.90) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[F]ull of gracefully rocking arrangements and ace tunes....Miller is a well-read guy who believes in keeping his heart on his sleeve and his songs tidy and focused."
Entertainment Weekly (p.100) - "BELIEVER has gorgeous arrangements, melodies, turns of phrase, tailoring, and portraiture." -- Grade: B
Personnel: Rhett Miller (vocals); Rachael Yamagata (vocals); Jon Brion (guitar, piano, chamberlin, bass guitar); Josh Schwartz, Lyle Workman (guitar); Patrick Warren (chamberlin, keyboards); Salim Nouraliah (bass guitar); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); George Drakoulias (shaker, tambourine); Gary Louris (background vocals).
The second major-label release by Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller is even better than its excellent predecessor, 2002's THE INSTIGATOR. This should come as no surprise to fans: Miller has the sort of sparkling talent destined to constantly evolve and refine itself. As a tunesmith, Miller writes moving songs with minted pop melodies that rock, twang, and etch themselves into the brain, and are made whole by his honest, emotionally charged voice.
With its stellar songcraft and sophisticated arrangements, THE BELIEVER is top-notch pop-leaning rock (or as Miller himself describes it, it's like "George Gershwin does T. Rex's THE SLIDER"). With a cast of seasoned session musicians and bright, pristine production by George Drakoulias (of Black Crowes and Tom Petty fame), THE BELIEVER has all the hallmarks of a polished pop product. But the expressive, emotional bent to Miller's songwriting and the conviction of his performances inject a healthy dose of humanity into the mix, and a genuine sense of yearning that does not go unnoticed.