IN REVIEW: Drive-By Truckers - "English Oceans"

Say what you will about Drive-By Truckers, but they're one of the best bands out there when it comes to balancing quality songwriting consistency and maintaining a level of prolificness. Part of this can be attributed to quantity; over the years, DBT has been blessed with a stellar lineup of songwriters. On some albums, they've shared that load among three incredibly talented guys in Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell. After parting ways with Isbell after 2006's A Blessing And A Curse, songwriting duties were taken up by bassist Shonna Tucker, who contributed seven tracks over their next three albums. Now, Tucker's been replaced by Matt Patton, who isn't writing any songs for DBT (yet), leaving the bulk of the work to Hood and Cooley.

They've clearly been the two best songwriters in the band since Isbell left, so it's somewhat refreshing to have them split the work evenly on English Oceans; trimming the third songwriter lends more cohesiveness to the album. Cooley's hard-luck character studies and Hood's Americana observatory pieces make up the lion's share of the album, and they both seem to be working at the peak of their abilities. Credit it to taking a step back; contrary to the aforementioned prolificness, English Oceans' release marks the longest gap yet between DBT studio records (at just over three years, which is an eternity compared to what fans of the band are used to).

Indeed, the extra time allows for a more refined approach, which was needed after their last few records often felt a bit bloated and scattershot. Here, with the more streamlined approach, you get the sense that it all came easier to them this time. Particularly impressive is Cooley's output; he hasn't been tasked with half of a record's songwriting duties before, and his seven tracks all sound great. It's a testament to the trust he receives from Hood who, long considered the band's principal songwriter, hasn't penned less than half of a DBT record since 2004's The Dirty South (which was still a 6/4/4 split between he, Cooley and Isbell).

The energy is back up as well, another benefit of a little time off; rather than slog through mid tempos and weakened rhythms (as heard on previous album Go-Go Boots), English Oceans charges out of the gate and keeps its intensity up for much of the duration. And, when the tempos dip toward album's end, it doesn't kill the mood because the songs are still strong. It's still rather bright compared to classic DBT fare, but the songs still have plenty of dirt under the fingernails; check album closer Grand Canyon to see just what I mean.

I've always rooted for Drive-By Truckers because I still believe the art of writing a great song should never go unrewarded. Through hype, lineup changes and simply growing older, they've had plenty of bumps along the road. In fact, they've endured what would be enough to cause some bands to pack it in. But, they soldiered through it all the only way they knew how: by going on the road and sharing their craft in sweaty bars and auditoriums alike. Their output got a little spotty over the course of their last four albums, and they could have easily threw a tarp over their career and let it rust behind the woodshed. Instead, they pulled over for a power nap and are back at it, well rested, gassed up and armed with a renewed sense of purpose. Keep on truckin', Drive-By Truckers, until the wheels fall off.

March 4, 2014 • ATO

Highlights Shit Shots Count • Made Up English Oceans • Grand Canyon