Drive-By Truckers:

In the Drive-by Truckers' latest release, Brighter Than Creation's Dark, the band takes strides to bring out their roots. The Truckers' nineteen-song compilation takes a bit of a toned down approach and spotlights their ensemble of singers and songwriters. Lead singer Patterson Hood wrote nine songs, guitarist Mike Cooley wrote seven and bassist Shonna Tucker wrote another three. Their yearning to visit their subdued southern roots is clearly evident in this album. While still including a few rocking anthems, there is a clear divergence to more old-time country.

The beginning of their subdued sound didn't start with Brighter Than Creation's Dark; it was their last tour, "The Dirt Underneath," which featured a semi-acoustic focus on lyrics and storytelling. This was spurred by the amicable divergence with bandmate Jason Isbell in early 2007 which left them with one less lead guitarist and heavily contributing singer and songwriter.

To remedy this they decided to bring it back to their basics, bringing on board legendary musician Spooner Oldham and old-time member, guitarist Jeff Neff. This may have been a simple move to the Truckers, but in doing so they have mastered a sound that has yet to be rivaled. The Truckers' foundation is their solid storytelling lyrics style and a mixture of slow country twang and thumping muscle rock. That is just what this album is.

The topics of the songwriters are what allow this album to shine as it does. With tragically touching songs like the opener, "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife," and a look into the perspective of a soldier fighting abroad in "That man I shot" and "The Home Front." As is the style of the Drive-by Truckers, they bring about the raw and real sides of life with songs such as "Daddy needs a Drink," and "You and your Crystal Meth." In the end they tell the stories that make up their life on the road; stories of misplaced love and packing up and heading to the next town, one night after another. Songs like "Purgatory Line," "Checkout Time in Vegas" and "Monument Valley" describe this life of touch and go.

In the last seven years since their 2001 double disc Southern Rock Opera album that chronicled the life of Lynyrd Skynyrd, they've tirelessly toured almost continuously. With Decoration Day in 2003, The Dirty South in 2004 and A Blessing and a Curse in 2006, they've spent a lot of time on the road.

After The Dirt Underneath Tour and time spent in the studio to record this album, they backed friend Bettye LaVette in Muscle Shoals for the recording of her album The Scene of the Crime.* *

Itching to get back on the road, they are releasing this 75-minute gem that delves into myriad contemporary societal facets—from death and drug use to childhood memories to the Iraq War. I say it's their most toned down album to date, but in the words of Patterson Hood: "In the end it's still Rock and Roll."