Best of the Day: Rhett Miller – May 13, 2015

Welcome to Best of the Day, our daily recommendation for what to check out around town. If you do one thing in Boston today, consider this.

Rhett Miller photo by Kurt Christensen on Flickr

The Traveler is the title of Rhett Miller’s latest album, and it’s a fitting one. Its 12 tracks of rootsy rock—from opener “Wanderlust” to “Reasons to Live”—are filled with restless, rough-edged dreamers wrestling with their flaws and chasing the next distraction. These odes to exquisite damage may be part of the Old 97’s frontman’s solo project, but he’s in good company on The Traveler, which features the twangy stylings of Black Prairie (a Portland bluegrass outfit that shares four members with the Decemberists), as well as guest appearances from R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey. The last time we saw Miller was last summer at the Beachcomber, the charmingly scruffy Wellfleet haunt that’s a favorite New England tour stop for the Old 97’s. Keep your eyes peeled for another Beachcomber appearance—if you’re a fan, their raucous live show is a great excuse to make a trek out to the Cape. In the meantime, you can get another dose of Rhett right here tonight at Johnny D’s.

$20, May 13, 7 p.m., Johnny D’s Uptown, 17 Holland St., Somerville, 617-776-2004, johnnyds.com.