OLD 97’s, one of the most acclaimed and beloved bands to spring from the 90s indie rock scene, will release their seventh studio album, BLAME IT ON GRAVITY, on May 13 via New West Records. The album is the band’s first studio recording in 4 years. The result is a 13-song powerhouse of an album that finds the band turning up the amps and returning to the satisfying crunch of its early records. Forming 15 years ago, the band credits the new album’s enthusiasm and spark to their return to its native Dallas to record for the first time since their debut independent release.

Produced by up and coming producer, Salim Nourallah, the album superbly combines the various elements of rock, punk, classic country and pop displayed on previous releases. The collection is easily the band’s most well-rounded stack of songs recorded for a single offering to date. Blame It On Gravity represents the quality of songcraft fans have come to expect from the 97’s past albums and is also reminiscent of the intensity, drive and bona fide joy found on cult favorite and major label debut, Too Far To Care.

“We went into Salim’s studio hell-bent on making something great,” says vocalist / guitarist / principal songwriter Rhett Miller. “I could feel the energy crackling every day we were in there. It’s like we had something to prove. Not just to ourselves, but to the world. Music should be real and meaningful. And while there is a weird, dangerous element to the stories in some of these songs, at its core Blame It On Gravity is a celebration of the brotherhood that is our band and a testament to our belief in the transcendent power of rock and roll.” Old 97’s are comprised of: Rhett Miller, bassist / vocalist Murry Hammond, lead guitarist Ken Bethea and drummer Philip Peeples.

Blame It On Gravity’s first single, “Dance With Me,” is a romantic, infectious track that showcases Miller’s classic storytelling prowess. Other highlights include the stellar and immediate “My Two Feet,” and the catchy “Ride,” which takes listeners on a coast to coast journey to escape an unrequited love. The album also showcases two fantastic Hammond contributions, “This Beautiful Thing,” and “Color Of A Lonely Heart Is Blue.” Since the 97’s last studio release, 2004’s Drag It Up, the band has released a double live album, Alive and Wired, a live DVD, and appeared prominently in the romantic comedy The Breakup after being written into the script by longtime fan and supporter Vince Vaughn. Well known as an explosive live act, the Old 97’s played the South by Southwest Festival back in March and will headline a national club tour shortly after Blame It On Gravity’s release on May 13.