Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 44
 Return to form January 27, 2008
Antiquity (USA)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
After (at least by their standards) a somewhat uneven album in Blessing and Curse, this album is absolutely outstanding. I actually think they are improved with Isbell out of the picture. As good as Isbell's earlier contributions were (Decoration Day, Outfit, Goddam Lonely Love, etc....) he has lately favored too much sheen and structure in his songs (Daylight, Dress Blues, etc...). I was at first turned off by having Shonna sing her own songs, but they actually fit in nicely. If there is a negative, I think shaving off a couple of songs would have made this an all-time classic. For example, Cooley has a couple country tunes that sound somewhat tossed off in Bob and Lisa's Birthday that could have left behind. They aren't bad songs, but given the strength of his other songs and the rest of the album, they are somewhat of a let down and I think are somewhat out of place.
Overall, though, this album is possibly the best they have ever done. At the very least, it is the best since Decoration Day, and in my opinion even better.
 I don't get it February 16, 2008
Donna Mathis (Chattanooga)
3 out of 15 found this review helpful
I don't "get" the rave reviews in the press and from some fans. It sounds dirty and repetitious to me.
After hearing five cuts on my public radio station, I called my DJ and made myself perfectly clear. Jason Isbell is a god. (god with a small g lets be carefull!) Sirens of the ditch is timeless and soulfull and in the pocket. DBT is riding coattails and "Shawna's revenge"
That's mine. I know it takes all kinds. God bless this mess,
Donna
a fantastic album! January 25, 2008
Kristen (Richmond, VA)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
As other reviewers have mentioned, this album is a great listen from start to end, with little exception. A vast improvement over "A Blessing and a Curse" which was spotty, at best, in my opinion. I too was afraid of what would happen with this release after the loss of Jason Isbell, but they have come back strong. Its a wonderful showcase of both Patterson and Cooley, and also refreshing to hear Shonna exhibited. The woman has a powerful voice, and while the lyrics in her three songs aren't necessarily profound and the songs a bit twangy for me, she delivers a performance filled with heart and soul. She has demonstrated her ability to share the lead both writing and performing. I greatly look forward to seeing her perform these live!
I was a bit surprised by the plunge into country taken by Cooley on the album. I don't care for country music generally, but it definitely works for him! His songs "3 Dimes Down," Self Destructive Zones," Checkout Time in Vegas," and "A Ghost to Most," are among my favorite on the album, along with Patterson's tear-jerker "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" about the Harvey family murdered in their home on New Year's Day 2006. If you really can't tolerate country-rock I could see how large portions of this album may not be for you...
Absolutely Fantastic Classic January 30, 2008
M. Pendergrast (Memphis, TN)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
What can be said that hasn't been said already? This is a very dark album with a slight ray of hope. Hood & Cooley are just phonomenal songwriters in the vein of Young,Springsteen,Ryan Adams,Cash,and Kristofferson, but unique. They have the uncanny ability to visualize today's world from their point of view into words,and from polar opposites flowing without bumping into each other. And Shoanna's pretty damn good herself, especially The Purgatory Line. After 5 complete listens, that's the only way I can describe it. There's not a bad song on it,in my opinion and is similar to SRO in that Hood and Cooley wrote the majority of the songs.
The musicianship is stellar-John Neff's beautiful pedal steel, Tucker and Morgan's rock solid beat and Spooner Oldham's piano/hammond fills along with Hood/Cooley's smooth acoustic and hot leads complete the picture perfectly.
I was cautiously optimistic/concerned when Jason left but I love all the DBT albums. But the more I listen to this new album and Jason's, I truly believe they're both better off. That was just too much songwriting talent for one band. So rock on DBT, rock&roll never forgets.
BEST DAMN BAND IN THE USA RIGHT NOW!!!!!! February 6, 2008
jman
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
If your all about/searching for REAL music in today's dime a dozen, digitally enhanced, voice/[...] artist world, then BUY THIS CD!!! If you don't know about DBT, take yourselves back to another time in history when a new exciting rock album put out by bands that are now legendary was brought home from the store and played ALL the way through on the record player.
In today's world the Truckers are future legends. I have seen these guys in concert many times, and would put them up against ANY classic rock band. Better more intelligent lyrics, harder rocking songs, great style, these guys have it all right now. They are building a hell of a library of great music as well. All in the last 10 years or less during what many traditionalist have named the worst era for real music EVER. This album could be the finest one of the year. No big national radio marketing here with this group of players, just a steady diet of sold out shows all over the country, many happy concert fans and a damn fine new album for all who enjoy the passion of fine rock to enjoy.
I sure was worried when they lost Jason but I think it might have been for the best as John Neff has taken over and changed this group's direction and its SMOOTH!!!!! Hats off to the Truckers in their finest hour with this gem of an album out and ripping up the reviews!! ( J Neff and myself are from Savannah GA!!)
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