DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

"A Blessing and a Curse" (Nine West Records; 2006)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

The music of Drive-By Truckers has some alternative country mixed in with alternative rock and Southern rock. The slide guitar is present on a lot of the tracks and it's got that tough sound when the Southern rock gets going.

These guys have been around for a long time, since 1998. This disc has them sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young. They also have some '70s British guitar sounds. They mix it well and switch back and forth to keep you guessing after the intro starts.

The guitar is fuzzy when they head South and its tight when they go over the pond. With three guitar players amped up the sound is full, the bass and drums move right along with the beat. When a solo does emerge it's got a soulful sound. This is great bar music. The songs are stories with wit and clever notations.

The blessings: "Feb 14," "Goodbye," "Wednesday," and "A Blessing And A Curse."

The band: Mike Cooley - guitar, vocals; Patterson Hood - guitar, vocals; Jason Isbell - guitar, vocals; Brad Morgan – drums; Shonna Tucker – bass.

For more information, check out http://www.drivebytruckers.com or http://www.myspace.com/drivebytruckers.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.


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Revised: 04 Mar 2024 13:27:28 -0500.