The poor Drive- By Truckers, it appears they can’t travel anywhere these days without being compared to a Lynyrd Skynyrd nostalgia act. After translating the ’77 tragedy into their 2001 release Southern Rock Opera, the comparisons are inviting, but their latest release Decoration Day, couldn’t be a further cry from those obvious rebel influences. The Truckers turn the John Deere down the off beaten road, revealing the true underbelly of the south.
The lyrics of the Drive-By Truckers stand proud, spilling forth stories of plight, built over inspiring musicianship. Wrapped around themes of being stood up at the altar, divorce, family feuds, suicide, betrayal and broken dreams, one would think this record would be a painful listen, but come on, give the Truckers credit. Taking these black themes and building them into rich harmonies, within blue grass yearnings,
Decoration Day mixes the best of both worlds. Lead singer Patterson Hood, delivers an earnest and gentle voice to an otherwise overdone southern whiskey rock and roller punch. With a three-guitar attack, along with the addition of Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell as singer-songwriters, the Truckers are stretching wide.
The ponderous Black Sabbath riff of "Sink Hole" trembles with the ghastly fumes of a farmer losing his farm, while "Hell No, I Ain’t Happy" delivers a refreshing chorus that is a no bullshit affair. The honky-tonk jubilation of "Marry Me" boogies with a Stones riff that can run neck to neck with Van Zandt’s "Gimme Three Steps." Prodding mainly through continual heavy themes might take its toll on some listeners, and by the time you reach Hood’s dire ramblings of "Your Daddy Hates Me, " there are still five remaining tracks. Decoration Day proves the Truckers mean business, and hope their listeners are willing, waiting and ready. This brand of in-your face honesty is by no means standard county fair grub, as the Truckers circumvent the gimmicks and rides, and steer straight to the center.
