English Oceans, the latest release by the Drive-By Truckers, debuted at #16 on the Billboard album charts last week, marking their highest position ever on that list (The Big To-Do hit #22 in 2010). While not their best album, this showing does reflect that through the combination of their touring, endless self-promotion, and longevity, they have managed to establish a sizable fan base – one that will automatically purchase any product as soon as it’s released. This is a good time to reflect on some of the music that has created such a devoting following. My apologies to “Go-Go Boots,” “Sink Hole,” “The Day John Henry Died,” “A Ghost to Most,” “The Thanksgiving Filter,” and “Grand Canyon.”
1. “Zip City.” Southern Rock Opera starts with a car wreck and ends with a plane crash, but Mike Cooley’s unsuccessful bid to remove his teenage girlfriend’s chastity belt may be the band’s best moment.
2. “Let There Be Rock.” Patterson Hood celebrates the arena rock of his misbegotten youth.
3. “Women Without Whiskey.” You could weeks listening to nothing but drinking songs, but few would have a better opening line than, “If I make it through this year, I think I’m gonna put this bottle down.”
4. “Outfit.” Jason Isbell lovingly recites the advice from his father.
5. “Decoration Day.” A young man is an unwilling member of a family feud and recalls the death of his father. Did the rival family pull the trigger or did the narrator decide to end the feud by shooting his dad?
6. “Where the Devil Don’t Stay.” Moonshine memories, country wisdom, and a dynamic three guitar assault.
7. “Puttin’ People on the Moon.” Running the numbers, dealing drugs, working at Wal-Mart. The Live from Austin, TX CD even gives this desperate number a more haunting edge.
8. “Gravity’s Gone.” Never accuse Cooley of being deficient in the rock ‘n’ roll attitude department.
9. “The Righteous Path.” Hood updates the working man’s blues, “More bills than money, I can do the math/I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path.”
10. “Birthday Boy.” Not too much glamor in the world’s oldest profession.
11. “Used to Be A Cop.” Can these guys write a lyric to get your attention? “I got scars on my back from the way my daddy raised me.” Ouch!
12. “Shit Shot Counts.” Indeed it does.
