Drive-By Truckers
“English Oceans”
When Jason Isbell left Drive-By Truckers the band was
without one of the best songwriters in music.
The positive was Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley were still writing great
songs and Easy B, Brad Morgan, the band’s drummers was still providing steady
beats. Bassist Shonna Tucker left the
band and many were left wondering about the band’s future. Fast-forward several years and Jay Gonzalez
has replaced Isbell and Matt Patton of the Dexateens has replaced Tucker. 2014 version of the band is having a blast
and “English Oceans,” the band’s 12th album, is fantastic.
I was
fortunate to hear many of the new DBT songs during their annual Homecoming
shows at the Fabulous 40 Watt in Athens in February. The band’s HeAthens shows usually take place
on MLK weekend but the band moved the shows to President’s Day weekend perhaps
due to the sudden death of longtime DBT “Merch Man,” Craig Lieske on January 18th
of last year. During the final show of
this year’s run I turned to my buddy and told him how much I loved the new
songs. For the past several years, DBT
shows were made up of alternating Hood and Cooley songs. “English Oceans,” however, is the first album
to take the same approach.
The album
kicks off with the Cooley rocker “Shit Shots Count” complete with horns. The album should already be on full blast by
the time the horns come in late in the song.
Hood’s “When He’s Gone” immediately follows and the album is off and
running. The album is filled with the
typical tales of the South’s dirty politicians and corrupt businessmen. “Made Up English Oceans” and “Pauline
Hawkins” take us back to the Reagan/Bush years.
The former is about former Reagan operative Lee Atwater.
“English
Oceans” isn’t all about Hood and Cooley though.
Gonzalez’s keyboard is evident on most tracks and Easy B’s drumming is
outstanding on “Part of Him” and “Grand Canyon.” The latter tune is dedicated to Lieske and
knowing that creates a haunting edge to the albums final track.
“English
Oceans” will never be put in the same category as the amazing three album run
of “Southern Rock Opera,” “Decoration Day,” and “Dirty South.” However, it is the band’s most complete album
since those came out many years ago.
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