Sometimes you come to bitter conclusions with lost loves. The 2014 version of the Drive-By Truckers can no longer compete with their own past either in the studio or on stage. They are almost trapped by their former greatness, because they can neither effectively replicate the band they were on Southern Rock Opera and Decoration Day.
Outside of Amarillo is a weird roadside attraction known as Cadillac Ranch – a line of ten Cadillacs buried nose first into the ground. Visitors are encouraged to spray paint graffiti on the Detroit relics. Noting one of the cars already was tagged with “Steve,” no work was required on my behalf.
Pharrell came, saw and certainly conquered us just the way he will the charts over the next couple of months. This album should take hi to the next next level! Otherwise, both Rufus hits and DBT in mellow mode are disappointments.
Where weak spots on early DBT records could be overlooked due to momentum and energy, now every composition stands alone. This is an album about bruising regret, pensive remembrances, and inevitable loss.
GIRL – Pharrell Williams – A blast of pure pop for now people from the former Neptune producer who provides one slice of adult bubble gum after another topped not by “Happy” but the Justin Timberlake featured “Brand New”. Williams grabs his moment and doesn’t let go – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B+
There are weeks and then there are WEEKS!! Drive By Truckers 12th album gets pride of place… until I listen to it anyway. I was really thinking of Pharrell instead but I dunno how good Mr. Neptune is when you get right down to it, “Happy” wore out its welcome with me some time last summer
They have taken a traditional hard rock formula and made it relevant through both the power of their music and their ability to write trenchant, moving lyrics whether through stories, legends, or observations
Marry Me – Drive-By Truckers – Off their best album, this is a pure slice of Rolling Stones style hard country rock and holla by one Mike Cooley, which revs and revs to a blasting guitar solo before Cooley’s rasp takes em home – A
Anything interesting? Lesse here: new Beck, Dierks Bentley, St Vincent, The Fray (THE FRAY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO), St. Vincent, Drive By Truckers, Cloud Nothings, and apparently D’Angelo has completely given up and is releasing a live album.
