Drive By Truckers “A Blessing and A Curse” CD Review
Sunday, June 18th, 2006
“A Blessing and A Curse” CD Review
www.drivebytruckers.com
Label: New West
Review by: ~Buckshot Georgie~
The year 2006 has brought us yet another gorgeous Drive By Truckers Digipack CD, complete with the usual insert booklet of more weird and beautiful artwork from Wes Freed. The last several releases by the Alabama indie band have had a very wicked cool appearance that is almost like a Confederate twist on album art by Tyla from Dogs D’Amour. For those who haven’t caught the DBT train yet, the songwriting duties are split just about evenly by members Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell so it’s the kind of band with three distinct personalities but it works. Patterson Hood is more of a Neil Young guy. Not the best of singers but certainly a very honest poet and passive observer of the southern experience. Mike Cooley is less prolific but when he writes a song, it’s just about guaranteed it’s gonna be the best one on the record. He sings with a drawl, being a little more like modern country/western singer than the other guys. The newest member Jason Isbell seems to be equally split between writing heartland anthems ala John Mellencamp and ballads for sensitive alcoholics. He’s a goddamned good guitar player too. It’s good stuff. (more…)
