Artist - Drive By Truckers
Title - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Year of Release - 2008
Record Label - New West Records
Genre - Rock


I remember the first time I heard this band. I was in Philadelphia going to see Marah at the TLA on South Street. It was a 3 show bill, and DBT was in the middle slot, with hometown boys Marah headlining.

I didn't know anything about them, and had no idea what to expect. What I heard was a revelation. Honest to God, straight ahead rock and roll played by a band that loves music and has come to terms with themselves as people. No whiny voice teen angst BS, No eye make-up, no leather pants, just some great music played well.

I was especially impressed by the songs themselves. The band had three unique songwriters, and while each one wrote about his own experiences, they came together perfectly... a mix of Southern Gothic fiction, small town memoir and front page news.

With Brigther Than Creation's Dark the band continues down this path, with bass player Shonna Tucker replacing Jason Isbell as the third full-time songwriter. Her song "Purgatory Line" is a stand out, and she sounds an awful lot like a road-weary Emmylou Harris.

This is a smart, well-written record, and the lyrics in songs like "Bob", "Self Destruction Zone", and "Daddy Needs a Drink" are strong enough to stand up without the band's backup.

On my second listen tonight, and falling deeper into the songs with every play.

DBT is an awesome, under rated band.

I plan on picking this up today. Loved everything I've heard thus far and I've got every album back to Decoration Day.

Cheers

This one hasn't caught me like previous DBT albums, at least, not so far. There are some good songs scattered through it, but I'm missing Isbell in the mix.

I heard a cut off the new album on NPR last weekend, sounded great to me.

This one hasn't caught me like previous DBT albums, at least, not so far. There are some good songs scattered through it, but I'm missing Isbell in the mix.

DBT has been on my "to do" list for some time. I'm gonna pick up the new album just because, but I'd like your suggestion for an earlier album too.

Ken

DBT has been on my "to do" list for some time. I'm gonna pick up the new album just because, but I'd like your suggestion for an earlier album too.

Ken

A Blessing and a Curse and The Dirty South are both excellent, and A Southern Rock Opera is pretty fine as well. Not familiar with anything earlier than that.

I've never been able to understand why I even like this band, what with the clear homage they pay to Skynyrd, but I do like them. I understand their live performances are excellent, too.

I understand their live performances are excellent, too.

I like them because they are gritty, unadorned rock. Of course I like Skynyrd as well, but not the cult of Skynyrd.

The live show is great, I saw them in Greensboro last year, just after Jason left. Much alcohol was consumed on stage.

I've never been able to understand why I even like this band, what with the clear homage they pay to Skynyrd, but I do like them. I understand their live performances are excellent, too.


Tentoze, I'm with you. I'm not a big Skynyrd fan, I'm from North, and I didn't grow up in the country...there's somthing about this music though that I Understand and appreciate n a visceral level.

Their live show are amazing too...Patterson Hood puts on a good solo show, (and is a heck of a nice guy) and Jason Isbell's new band rocks as well.

It was a shame to have Jason leave the band, but I've got to take my hat off to Patterson and the rest of the band...they're totally supportive of his new gig, and specifically mention his new band in their fan emails as a favorite that their fans MUST go see...

DBT has been on my "to do" list for some time. I'm gonna pick up the new album just because, but I'd like your suggestion for an earlier album too.

Ken


"Decoration Day" slays me. One of my favorite albums of all time.

"A Blessing and a Curse" is a beauty too...maybe because "Feb 14" and "World of Hurt" are so personally relevant, I dunno

You might also want to pick up Jason Isbell's solo record, "Sirens of the Ditch". Actually strike, that...as soon as you hear Jason's songs on Decoration Day, you'll Need to pick up this record!

Thanks for the suggestions, all.

I've been hurting for new music. I mean, c'mon, I just picked up my 5th LP of "Sticky Fingers" (original Japanese pressing), but it's a sickness to keep wallowing in the same old thing.

I caught the end of CMT's "best" southern rock songs of all time the other night and Skynyrd was #1 and #3 ("Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird," respectively). The cat from DBT was commenting on the dual-gutar attack and simple, yet meaningful lyrics.

I echo Justen's sentiments of digging Synyrd without having to dig the "cult."

For something a little bit different...Check out Bettye Lavette's 2007 release "Scene of the Crime" Pure Muscle Shoals soul as produced by Patterson Hood and backed mainly by the DBT's(and a few others)

I love DBT, they are up there with Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, etc. in my book.

My girlfriend got me Brighter Than Creation's Dark, it's in my rotation right now :thmbsp:

Hi,

The Drive By Truckers are one of my favorite groups of late. The new album is very good. I hear it's out on vinyl. Betty Lavette's "Scene Of The Crime" is likely for me the best record of the last 2 years. I heard this and partied like it was 1972.

One of my friends gave me the DBT dvd "Live at the 40 Watt". I just got around to watching it tonight. Pretty neat stuff, kind of a cross of southern rock with alt rock, dark lyrics. Definitely lighter than Govt Mule, but has that same balls to the wall rock attitude and jam lineage. Better than 90% of todays music :smoke: