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"Spice-alicious?" Um, no. The Old 97’s are no longer--how you say?--“spice-alicious.”

After more of the Hammond vs. Old 97’s Great Album Discussion of 2008, we decided that, when it comes to the band many of us around here grew up loving, we do, in fact, agree with the sentiment of this god-forsaken Chili’s commercial that wouldn’t die: We do want our babies back.

As in, our Hitchhike to Rhome and Too Far to Care babies. See, Rhett knew what he was talking about when he sang this saucy gem way back when:

Sorry to get it stuck back in your head...but if I have to have an earworm, you do, too. --Merritt Martin

Old 97's guitarist Ken Bethea.

Just in case you haven't yet had your fill of the Old 97's and the guys' non-stop whirlwind promotion for Blame It On Gravity yet, you can catch the 97's performing for free at Victory Plaza tonight at 6.

And, in case you're salivating for more Old 97's news, well, OK, here's two more tidbits, courtesy of guitarist Ken Bethea:

First: It's a little uncertain as to whether the 97's will also be performing from the player's bench during tonight's game, as was originally the word on the street. Apparently, the band had some issues playing that amp-less space during a previous performance at the AAC ("It's not as fun as it would seem," Bethea says) and the guy's have to be in Houston by tomorrow morning, anyway...

Second: Come Sunday, the 97's will be out in L.A., shooting a music video for "Dance With Me." The director: Keven McAlester, who Robert just updated you on this past weekend. Weird how stuff like this works out, huh? --Pete Freedman

If you have eyes, you'll notice something about the page in which we interview Rhett Miller about the new Old 97's record, Blame It On Gravity in this week's paper. Like, specifically, how we included a sidebar review of Murry Hammond's I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way.

Wasn't 'cause we didn't have space in our "Playlist" section (we did). And it wasn't just 'cause Murry's in the 97's (although, obviously, he is; he plays bass and adds vocals). We did so because--how do I put this?--well, we liked his new record more than the we did 97's' new one...and I say "we" because that's not just me talking; that's pretty much the whole music staff here.

The 97's' record is...OK. It's got a few decent tracks on it, most of which I highlighted in the article. But it's just not what we'd hoped for. It's not very rocking. It's not very sexy. In a nutshell: It's not as good as the 97's' past works.

Hammond's disc, meanwhile, has taken us completely by surprise. Yes, it focuses on God a lot, and, yes, there's a lot of songs about trains on the disc, too. But it's just a really, really good record. See for yourself.

Bonus mp3: Murry Hammond -- "Lost At Sea"

The track kills, folks. --Pete Freedman

Spoke with Dallas's own hip-hop sensation Lil Wil last week about his upcoming album for a story that'll come out in our print edition in a few weeks (right before his Asylum Records-released debut Dolla$, TX drops on June 3). So, yeah, look forward to that.

Wil's an interesting guy; he's unassuming to an extent but, mostly, he's incredibly excited about the prospects of his future--and for the future successes of other Dallas hip-hop artists, too, something he believes his current status can only help.

He has a point; the video for his first single, "My Dougie," has made it onto BET and MTV Jams and the song itself has earned airplay on radio stations across the South. And, yes, his album and his hit single reference Dallas quite a bit. So it's kinda tough to see a downside to it all at this point, actually.

In case you haven't heard it yet, here's the song--which, yes, is yours to download for free.

Bonus mp3: Lil Wil -- "My Dougie (Radio Mix)"

He's fresh. --Pete Freedman

Sarah Jaffe performed at last year's Art Conspiracy (Chris Phelps).

If past Art Conspiracies are any indication, we can rest assured that the 2008 version of the arts and music charity event will be one of the best of the year in Dallas.

The biggest unknown right now (aside from those minor details, like who performs and where it’s held) is which organization the annual charity concert and art auction will benefit. That’s great news for local arts-related non-profits, as the co-conspirators are accepting applications to be the beneficiary of the fourth installment of the event.

The first Art Conspiracy, in 2005, raised more than $10,000 for the Paul Simon-created Children’s Health Fund, with the money earmarked for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The 2006 Art Con raised money for La Reunion, an Oak Cliff arts residency. Last year’s version, which benefited arts and music programming at St. Anthony's Community Center, featured performances by Sarah Jaffe, Red Monroe, Kristy Kruger and DJ sets from Select and Stephen Ruiz. But the highlight just might have been the rowdy auctioning of more than 100 works of art created by some of Dallas’ premier artists.

Application to become the charity helped by this year's event--available on the Art Con home page--is open to any Dallas-area non-profit organization that offers “creative programming, usually in the form of art or music.”

Best get moving, though, as they’re due this Friday --Jesse Hughey

In my daily YouTube trolling I discovered a zillion (OK, it was more like 12) videos one person posted from the May 12 Simple Plan show at the Palladium. Who knew Simple Plan fans were so hardcore about their love? Well, get a taste of YouTube user CatyMc was all about with his or her video of Simple Plan playing "I'll Do Anything." -- Chelsea Ide

It's free. Starts at 8. Doors at 7.

Then read my interview with Rhett Miller about the new disc in the Observer tomorrow. --Pete Freedman

Guy Forsyth (Deana Mason)

Quirky Austin singer-songwriter Guy Forsyth is taking the idea behind CD release parties to new heights...or lows, depending on your perspective.

Sure, it’s understandable for a band from our metroplex to play release shows in Dallas, Ft. Worth and Denton because they might want to help out fans who might be strapped for gas cash. But, what's really the motivation for Forsyth behind this move? Forsyth (his band, the Asylum Street Spankers, is renowned for its warped take on Americana) is throwing release parties for his new solo disc, Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana, in pretty much every city throughout the state.

The first release party is in Austin at Antone’s on May 16th.

Then it’s off to San Antonio for a party there the next evening.

Dallas’ Granada Theater hosts a Forsyth party on the 23rd.

Parties in Houston and at the famous Gruene Hall close out the month.

Talk about a false sense of exclusivity. Projected out to its illogical extreme, every tour to promote a new disc can claim each stop on the road as a CD release party. --Darryl Smyers

The Toadies (Jason Janik)

We'd been speculating on this a lot lately, but now it's confirmed: The Toadies' new album, No Deliverance, will be released on August 19.

You can read Spin's exclusive interview with Vaden Todd Lewis on the first Toadies album in seven years here...but I'll warn you, it doesn't say too much other than that there'll be no cello on the disc. --Pete Freedman

The new Green Day album. Sorta.

It's not up on The Loft's Web site or its Myspace yet, but Billboard reports that, just eight days from today, Green Day's alter ego act, Foxboro Hot Tubs, who made some radio waves before it was confirmed that the two acts were one in the same, will play the spot above the Palladium Ballroom on May 21. --Pete Freedman

Your Ozzfest 2008 poster.

...is that your fans get really uppity and ungrateful.

The backlash has already begun on Ozzfest--or so it would appear in the comments section of the Ozzfest blog where the one-day Dallas show was announced. It ain't pretty, folks. There's a lot of "Fuck Dallas," "Fuck Ozzfest," and "Ozzfest is officially dead" going on in these pages...

But also some pretty funny ones...

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Metallica makes its Ozzfest debut this year, too.

The rumors started a while back, but now it's been confirmed, with all the details worked out: Ozzfest 2008 will be a one-day music festival held in Dallas (not a two-day, two-city fest as was originally believed).

It'll take place in Frisco on August 9 at Pizza Hut Park, and tickets go on sale on Saturday, May 31.

We'll let you know more info as it comes, but in the meantime, check out the full festival line-up after the jump. --Pete Freedman

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We didn't make it out to see the Raconteurs earlier this month. We hit up the Kanye West show instead. So, we were pretty pleased when we came across a few videos from the House of Blues show -- especially the one featuring the cover of ZZ Top's "Cheap Sunglasses."

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Black Tie Dynasty will love you forever if you make this your MySpace image.

Those who watched One Tree Hill may have done a double take when you heard "Elephants As Big As Whales" by PlayRadioPlay! during the CW show. PRP did get some prime-time TV love, and, now, will be back in town 6 p.m. Sunday, May 25, for a show at the Ridglea Theater. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

In an effort to promote its upcoming show at the Granada, Black Tie Dynasty is holding a contest for a silkscreen poster autographed by the band. To enter, make the flyer for the May 24 show your default image on MySpace, and then message the band with your e-mail address. The winner will be selected at random and announced at the Granada show. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $10-$15.

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Whiskey Folk Ramblers killed on Saturday.

Saturday at the Double-Wide was a pretty epic night--especially considering how I'd entered the evening not really feeling up to going out in the first place. But a little peer pressure later, and, shit man, there I was, taking in another show--albeit one I'd looked forward to. And it hardly disappointed.

The Naptime Shake opened with a sound no one really saw coming (there were screams?!?!), RTB2 blues-riffed the crap out of the crowd and the Whiskey Folk Ramblers had the audience at its folk noir hello.

Here's a taste of how the night went (in the form of two free mp3s):

Bonus mp3: RTB2 -- "The Spilling Blood Child"

Bonus mp3: Whiskey Folk Ramblers -- "Moanin' Rag"

Two pretty effin' badass mp3s, I may add. --Pete Freedman