Download: Drive-By Truckers - Ray's Automatic Weapon

Drive-By Truckers pulled out a new song last week during a live show at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado. It's called 'Ray's Automatic Weapon', and according to frontman Patterson Hood, it has already been recorded in studio for the band's second album of the year, Go Go Boots. Download the song as an mp3 below, and then go have a listen to the full show.

1. Intro (Your Woman Is A Living Thing)
2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking
3. Three Dimes Down
4. Life in the Factory
5. Gravity's Gone
6. Ray's Automatic Weapon
7. Birthday Boy
8. Girls Who Smoke
9. Daddy Needs A Drink
10. A Ghost To Most
11. Home Field Advantage
12. Sink Hole
13. Uncle Frank
14. This Fucking Job
15. Get Downtown
16. (It's Gonna Be) I Told You So
17. Drag The Lake Charlie
18. Zip City
19. Ronnie and Neil
20. Road Cases
21. 72 (this highway's mean)
22. After The Scene Dies
23. Self Destructive Zones
24. Buttholeville > State Trooper
---
25. Encore Intro
26. Marry Me
27. Jay's Circus Intro > The Flying Wallendas
28. Hell No, I Ain't Happy
29. Shut Up and Get On The Plane
30. Let There Be Rock
31. Rockin' In The Free World

Download:
Drive-By Truckers - 'Ray's Automatic Weapon'

Full Show

Live Review: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Set Theatre, Kilkenny, 30 April 2010

Friday night's late, late gig at the Set Theatre in Kilkenny as part of the wonderful Rhythm and Roots Festival was my third time seeing Jason Isbell, and second time with the 400 Unit. From this experience, I think he's much better with the 400 Unit rather than solo or with just guitarist Browan Lalor accompanying.

The last time I saw Jason was in a three-quarters full Whelan's and he didn't seem in good spirits, however the Smiithwicks on Friday night must have gone down well, as he was in great form and was entertaining throughout. He was extremely chatty and even told stories between songs.

One was how he liked visiting Ireland because the people understood what he was saying, unlike New York or Amsterdam. Thus we could understand his "Sometimes I miss my ex-wife, but my aim is getting better" joke, which he said didn't go down as well in the Netherlands.

Many of the people in attendance popped along as part of the festival, and were easily converted as the 400 Unit pulled out all the stops on fantastic versions of their own songs, as well as some Drive-By Truckers classics. There were many standouts, 'Outfit' and 'Never Gonna Change' are always excellent, but 'Decoration Day' impressed me more this time than on past occasions.

Isbell and the 400 Unit's own repertoire was well represented too, especially from their self-titled record. 'Streetlights' and 'Soldiers Get Strange' were impressive, but it would've been nice to hear more from Sirens of the Ditch. As it was, 'The Magician' and 'Dress Blues' stood out most.

There wasn't too much new from what I had seen Isbell perform before, but Browan's take on Talking Heads' 'Psycho Killer' was a highlight, as was their instrumental performance of a New Orleans blues track, which I think Isbell called 'Believing' (although I could have misheard).

The Set Theatre is a gorgeous venue (Kilkenny's finest, in my opinion), and Isbell thought so too. He commented that it was like a strip club in Alabama called Platinum Plus where he used to visit, and could see Triple 6 Mafia on the balconies "throwing down piles of money at the strippers". "You know those guys have an Oscar now?"

Watch Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - 'Outfit' at the Set Theatre:

Watch: Drive-By Truckers - Get Downtown

The new Drive-By Truckers album The Big To-Do is my favourite record of the year so far. So forgive me if I have to keep reminding you how good it is. This is one of the best songs on there and was released as a lead-up to the album. The album is out now on ATO Records, and to show you just how good it is, the band stopped by Sirius XM to play this tune.

Watch Drive-By Truckers 'Get Downtown':

Download: Patterson Hood - Darkness on the Edge of Town Bootleg

Patterson Hood and a bunch of others covered some of their favourite songs back in 2007 (the 1st of December to be exact) as part of Underneath the Covers 2 - an AIDS Athens benefit night. Patterson Hood chose some songs from Bruce Springsteen's Darkness on the Edge of Town, and enlisted John Neff, David Barbe, Brad Morgan, and Jay Gonzalez.

Tracklist:
1 – Badlands
2 – Something In The Night
3 – Candy’s Room
4 – Racing In The Street
5 – Adam Raised A Cain
6 – Darkness On The Edge Of Town

Sample:
Patterson Hood - 'Badlands'
Patterson Hood - 'Adam Raised a Cain'

Download:
Full Show

(Bootleg taped by Sloan Simpson)

Album Review: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do

Drive-By Truckers - The Big To Do

The Big To-Do is the eight studio album from Alabaman rock juggernauts Drive-By Truckers. Their first, Gangstabilly came in 1998, and since then they have gone from strength to strength, with 2004's The Dirty South marking their highpoint. They're one of the most consistent bands around, and the departure of Jason Isbell following A Blessing and a Curse has allowed Shonna Tucker to shine. She contributed three songs to the lengthy Brighter Than Creation's Dark, but here the songs really fit the mood of the album.

Another reason the band has improved on that last outing (and don't get me wrong, BTCD is an outright four-star record) is that they've cut down on the number of songs on this album. It's more cohesive than previous attempts, with only 13 songs on the physical CD release. In an interview with yours truly in December of last year, Patterson Hood said that the album was "very much a rock album. Very melodic and more rocking than anything since disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera." From the opening chords of 'Daddy Learned to Fly' you realise he definitely wasn't lying.

One part of DBT's famed "three axe attack" that often goes unsaid is the harmony vocals, which really shine through on the oohs of 'Daddy Learned to Fly'. Keyboardist Jay Gonzalez also figures prominently on the tune, adding to the melody rather than overshadowing it. There's nothing on this album that is over-cooked. It's all the perfect blend of balls-out-rock and memorable melody.

There are many brand new anthems here. 'The Fourth Night of My Drinking' is a wonderful tale of drunken recollection. Many of the lines are inspired: "The second night of my drinking / I was looking for my car / And as luck would have it / I found it parked outside my favourite bar". The repeated refrain "It's gonna be through with me before I'm through with it" will undoubtedly become a carrion call for many late night revellers. 'This Fucking Job' is another tune bound to connect with many listeners: "Workin' this job is a kick in the pants / Workin' this job is like a knife in the back / It ain't gettin' me further than the dump I live in / It ain't gettin' me further than the next paycheck". A brand new anthem for commuters everywhere.

There are many highlights here. 'After the Scene Dies' is the song the Hold Steady wish they could write. 'Santa Fé' is a beautiful track with a gorgeous chorus. It also makes splendid use of John Neff's pedal steel. Highly addictive. 'The Flying Wallendas' is a great example of how Patterson Hood can make a slow song work just as well as the more upbeat ones. The musicianship on it is immense, as it must be said it is throughout this album.

Mike Cooley contributes only a few songs to this album, but all are instant classics: 'Birthday Boy' opens with the brilliant image: "Which one's the birthday boy / She aid I ain't got all night / What your mamma name ya / You can call me what you like". The song is full of gems like this: "Got a girlfriend don't ya boy / Nervous hands can't lie / Married men don't ask how much / Single ones ain't buying". 'Get Downtown' is another Cooley-penned track, and is the album's best song. It's irresistibly catchy, featuring some marvellous guitar/keyboard interplay. Possibly the most upbeat track the Drive-By Truckers have ever recorded. His 'Eyes Like Glue' ends the album strongly, and is the only one of these 13 tracks that hasn't been played live. Anyone yet to hear it will be impressed when they get a chance to listen, and based on the three Cooley-penned tracks here, the band's Record Store Day release Your Woman is a Living Thing will be fantastic.

Shonna Tucker's two contributions 'You Got Another' are fantastic ballads. 'You Got Another' is a song in the 'I'm Sorry Houston' mould, but is much better than its predecessor. It's a lovely slow-burning tune and contrasts sharply with the rest of the album. 'It's Gonna Be (I Told You So)' is even better. It's short, snappy and doesn't outstay its welcome - kind of like a rockier Stevie Nicks.

There's a few weak spots on the album. 'Drag the Lake Charlie' is great lyrically, but slows the mood down in the first half of the album. It probably would have fit in better in the second half. Similarly, 'The Wig He Made Her Wear' goes on for too long at nearly six minutes, and should have been cut from the album entirely.

However, the highpoints far outnumber the weak spots. Overall this is a marvellous album, and worthy of standing alongside Drive-By Truckers' finest records. Another fantastic release to add to an already wonderful catalogue. Bring on Go-Go Boots...

Download: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do Live

The new Drive-By Truckers album is less than a month away. The Big To-Do comes out on March 16th on ATO Records, and to tease you as to its contents, I'm putting up downloads of all the available live recordings of the new songs. Click on the dates below the song names to download that particular version.

Downloads:

1. Daddy Learned to Fly
January 16, 2010
January 29, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 13, 2010

2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 13, 2010

3. Birthday Boy
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
January 29, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 14, 2010

4. Drag the Lake Charlie
January 14, 2010
January 16, 2010
February 12, 2010

5. The Wig He Made Her Wear
January 14, 2010
January 16, 2010
February 12, 2010

6. You Got Another
January 14, 2010
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
February 12, 2010

7. This Fucking Job
January 14, 2010
January 29, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 13, 2010
February 14, 2010

8. Get Downtown
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 14, 2010

9. After the Scene Dies
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
February 11, 2010

10. (It's Gonna Be) I Told You So
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 13, 2010
February 14, 2010

11. Santa Fe
January 15, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 14, 2010

12. The Flying Wallendas
January 14, 2010
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
January 30, 2010
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010
February 13, 2010
February 14, 2010

13. Eyes Like Glue
Has not been played live. Guess you'll have to wait for the album...

Single News: DBT - Solo Record Store Day Release

Mike Cooley said the following to BLURT Magazine:
"The band will be issuing the special release on April 17 in time for Record Store Day."

"It's not an album, it's not a full-length record. It's not even an EP," he says. "There's no way I can describe it. You'll think I'm fucking with you if I start describing it. You'll just have to see. The only thing I'll tell you is this - it's high art."

"It's definitely that," confirms Truckers frontman Patterson Hood with a laugh. "It's so high art that John Neff plays the sitar."

Although BLURT originally reported this would be a solo release for Cooley, it will actually be a full Drive-By Truckers release.

Stream: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do

Today the ever excellent All Music put up 30 second clips of the upcoming Drive-By Truckers' album The Big To-Do, and they sound incredible. The album is due on March 16th (and I've heard it in full and it's amazing - even better than these clips).

Tracklist:
1. Daddy Learned to Fly
2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking
3. Birthday Boy
4. Drag the Lake Charlie
5. The Wig He Made Her Wear
6. You Got Another
7. This Fucking Job
8. Get Downtown
9. After the Scene Dies
10. (It’s Gonna Be) I Told You So
11. Santa Fe
12. The Flying Wallendas
13. Eyes Like Glue

Stream:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9fixzesldae

Download: Drive-By Truckers - This Fucking Job

'This Fucking Job' is one of the many Patterson Hood-penned tracks on the upcoming Drive-By Truckers album The Big To Do, and the band have made it available as a free download. They're also unveiling the album cover for the record, which is due March 16th on ATO Records.

This is what they had to say about the cover: "This is the seventh DBT album that has featured original artwork by Wes Freed. The band has a very special relationship with Wes, they never tell him what to draw and often give him no input at all, yet he always seems to find some subtext, often one they didn’t know was there, that he brings out and runs with. That relationship has hit a new level on this album, as he basically illustrated every song. He honed in on the circus allusions of The Rock Show and how it all could be tied together in The Big To-Do. Look for more pieces to be unveiled in the weeks prior to release date."

Download:
Drive-By Truckers - 'This Fucking Job'

Not My Review: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To Do

The band's official bio has been updated for the new album, The Big To Do, and is worth a read. Here it is in full...

The Big To-Do (ATO Records)
Release date: March 16, 2010

It seems simplest to understand Patterson Hood as the director and/or producer of low-budget films, which is maybe what he thought he was doing when this all started. Each is released in record album form under the name Drive-By Truckers and features a closely held assortment of friends and combatants.
Ten of those, so far, going back to 1998's Gangstabilly, plus two more under Hood's own name, have delighted the critics and enthralled fans. Each release filled with carefully told, fiercely rendered short subjects. Cinematic songs. Not Ed Wood films, by the way. More…well, did you see John McNaughton's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer? Or, perhaps better, their friend Ray McKinnon's short, The Accountant?
The new one, the one we're meant to enjoy just now, is called The Big To-Do and ushers in a new relationship with ATO. And it offers up the curious, abiding peace which only great rock can still bring.
Which is not to say that Hood and his long-time fellow-travelers - Mike Cooley (vocals and guitars), along with Brad Morgan (drums), Shonna Tucker (vocals and bass), John Neff (extra guitars, as if there could be such a thing), Jay Gonzalez (keyboards) and studio facilitator David Barbe - travel only on the darkest side of the street. But they do know the road tolerably well.
Well-traveled, they have become a family band: Patterson has a new son, and a daughter; Cooley (nobody calls him Mike) has a trio of little ones, both men betraying more optimism than their songs might hint at. They took most of 2009 off from the road, in part because there was a child on the way and in part because Patterson ended up finishing their last tour on the sidelines with pleurisy. Dog sick. Way worse than hungover.
Somewhat to their surprise they've stumbled into a stable ensemble - not that the Truckers have been anything like Savoy Brown - which confuses even Patterson. "I've loved all the different line-ups, at various times," he says with genuine affection. "They've all had their special things they've done. But this time it seems like our possibilities go a lot further, because there's no drama, no bullshit, and everyone seems really glad to be there all the time. Which is a nice thing. And we really just work well together."
Well, it is suggested, it's about time.
"Yeah, no kidding. That Alabama thing, man."
You have to grow out of doing everything through conflict, right?
"Yeah, no kidding. And…I fortunately don't feel like I have to get divorced again to write a decent song. Thank god."
The Big To-Do was recorded in three concentrated sessions during the first part of 2009: ten days in January, five days in March, ten days in May. That added up to 25 songs, a dozen of which sequenced into The Big To-Do. "We had it mixed, mastered, and completely done, and Cooley wrote the best song that just needed to be on it," Patterson says with his raspy chuckle. This happens a lot with the Truckers, and it's always a good sign. "So we went back in and recorded, mixed, and mastered 'Birthday Boy' pretty much in one fell swoop." Thirteen songs, then.
The balance of the remaining tracks, plus five more they've cut in the interim, will make up the Truckers' next album, which Patterson projects as a quieter affair.
This is, in large part, possible because the Truckers have such a long-standing relationship with David Barbe (ex-Sugar, etc.) and the Athens, GA, studio he calls Chase Park Transduction, which long ago Patterson helped to build so as to earn the right to record there.
"It's gotten to where, that day of set-up time to get sounds and levels and all of that takes us about two hours," Patterson says. "We can pretty much walk in the door, and we know exactly where to put everything to get that sound, so that's just one less thing to have to think about. I wanted to eliminate the distractions."
That clarity of purpose translates into a delicious assortment of Trucker songs themed loosely around crime and (self-) punishment. "The Wig He Made Her Wear," Patterson says, is both a true story (as seen on Court TV) and the closest he's come to making the movie he started out to make a decade or more back. "The Fourth Night of My Drinking" will speak for itself, and "This Fucking Job" (paired thematically with Cooley's wry "Get Downtown") is arguably the most political song the Truckers have made since "Living Bubba." Which leaves the deceptive, airy simplicity of Shonna Tucker's "You Got Another" and "(It's gonna Be) I Told You So" to reckon with.
"We always knew she had that in her," Patterson says, delighted with the emergence of another strong songwriter in the band. "It was never a secret. She was writing songs all along. But watching it come out has been a really amazing thing to behold."
Off the road, incidentally, didn't mean out of work. First off, there was the matter of cutting an instrumental album with the legendary Booker T, having previously served as the backing band to the equally legendary soul singer, Bettye Lavette. Potato Hole turned out all right, got a Grammy nod, and Neil Young added his touches separately even though it's pretty much a Truckers effort. But it's what they learned making Potato Hole that counts most.
"I think doing the Booker album really, really paid off a lot on the musical end of this record, even though stylistically it might not sound anything like that record," says Patterson, and then tells the story.
"We made that record in four days, and that included the first day when it was, 'Booker, it's wonderful to meet you!' Maybe the third song we tracked just wasn't going the way he wanted it to go. We weren't quite understanding what he wanted. We were playing it right, but it wasn't right. All the sudden he just stopped the session. He gathered us around, and he told us a story about a Thanksgiving dinner, and the way it smelt in the house, he'd been on the road a long time, and they were all in - cousins and aunts he hadn't seen in several years. He said, 'It's just a day where nothing happens, but it's all really good.'
"And we sat down and we played it, and we nailed it. It was like a revelation. We're a lyric-driven band, and our songs generally paint scenes and tell stories based on scenes. He instinctively knew that was how we operated. And I think it taught us a lot about how we operated. Going in and making this record, I could tell a real difference in the way the songs hold up musically. We put a little more care into that side of it than I think we ever did before because of what we learned from him."
As for the movie Patterson started writing all those years ago, well, he's no closer to being done with it. "That might just be part of the drive to the songs I'm writing," he admits. And brightens. "I placed a couple of songs in a movie that just came out, shot outside of Knoxville, called That Evening Sun. It's Hal Holbrook's new film, produced by Ray McKinnon."
And then he's off again, headed home to see his family and wondering if maybe Tom T. Hall needs a backing band. It's a beautiful thing to behold.

- Grant Alden
January 2010
Morehead, KY

List: Best Albums of the Decade 10-1

The final part of my countdown of the top 110 albums of the decade. Do you agree with some of the choices? Or do you think they stink to the high heavens? Please let me know, one way or another. You can find 110-101 here, 100-91 here, 90-81 here, 80-71 here, 70-61 here, 60-51 here, 50-41 here, 40-31 here, 30-21 here, and 20-11 here. Finally, here's the most important piece of the puzzle:

10. Joanna Newsom - Ys (2006)

The first time I heard this album, I couldm't get enough. I thought it was the best thing ever. The most gorgeous album ever made. I've lessened the hyperbole a little since, but I still love it. A fantastic album, but not for everyone. Features excessive harp playing and shrill vocals. Be warned!

9. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America (2007)

The best bar band in America hit the big time with this album. It's a record by guys nearing forty who act like they are eighteen. Thus it appeals to the kid inside all of us. But it's the lyrics that get you to stay around. Intelligent stories that are much more than mere tales about getting wasted and going to parties. They feature excellent characters who live vividly exciting lives. We're all jealous.

8. Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch (2007)

Jason Isbell's first solo album was recorded while he was still a Trucker, but it shone in so many ways. Who could argue with the blistering rock and the excellent lyrics? Take 'Dress Blues' for example. Has there been a better song written about the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq? Somehow I doubt it. Bitterly beautiful. It also helps that Jason himself is one of the best guitarists around.

7. The Strokes - Is This It (2001)

A lot was written about the Strokes when they first came on the scene. They've tried to repeat the success of this since, but neither their band albums or solo projects have matched the suckerpunch that was Is This It. Straight-up rock like this just can't be messed with.

6. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (2005)

A concept album about the American state, this was so much bigger than Stevens' first attempt, Michigan. It features the slogan "Come on Feel the Illinoise" on the cover, which just lets you know what kind of album this is going to be. Fun and egotistical, it's Stevens' masterpiece.

5. Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)

Forget about the method of payment (you downloaded it illegally even though you could get it for free, didn't you?). This album was so much better than anyone could have expected. It's probably their most accessible album, and as a result it's their best work since OK Computer. Some of the songs are a little overblown, but who cares? That's the Radiohead style. We love them all the more for it.

4. Ryan Adams - Love is Hell (2003)

Ryan Adams has never got on well with labels. They didn't even want to release this album, so he gave them the decent Rock N Roll instead. But it was this combination of two EPs, the first which came out in 2003 that was the real success. His best work so far, it's a gorgeous album of mellow, poignant tunes. Some may not stand out on first listen (some not all), but when you let them seep in, you'll realise the glory. Phenomenal.

3. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (2001)

No, it doesn't have a single like 'Seven Nation Army'. Few albums do. What this has is much better: Sixteen urgent quickfire songs, each one a standout on a marvelous album. It was hard to believe that only two people were involved in this record, and that there was no bass guitar in sight, but when you're as fine a guitar player as Jack White is, you need little else.

2. Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South (2004)

The best album to come out of the confederacy since... well, ever. It's a tribute to southern United States, and an absolutely magnificent one at that. It's full of marvellous stories and imagery, such as the splendid 'Carl Perkins Cadillac' and 'Danko/Manuel', which are touching songs about the legendary musicians. The album sealed the Drive-By Truckers status as modern American legends, and is a stunning collection of songs. Simply amazing.

1. Mic Christopher - Skylarkin' (2001)

My gorgeous other half, Gill, asked me why I love this album so much. I couldn't give her a decent answer. I don't think there are words strong enough to describe the connection I have to this album. I can't help but be captivated by its beauty every single time I put it on. Released after Mic's tragic death in 2001, this was the finest hour of one of Ireland's greatest ever songwriters. Together with his work with the Mary Janes, Mic was carving out a career up there with Van Morrison's. Sadly, following a show in Holland in 2001, Mic had an accident, falling down a flight of stairs and hitting his head. He never regained consciousness and died a few days later. It was the biggest loss to the music world since the death of Jeff Buckley four years earlier. Skylarkin is just as good as Grace, if not better. The best album of the decade.

List: Best Albums of the Decade 20-11

The penultimate part of my countdown of the top 110 albums of the decade. You can find 110-101 here, 100-91 here, 90-81 here, 80-71 here, 70-61 here, 60-51 here, 50-41 here, 40-31 here, and 30-21 here. Now, here's 20-11...

20. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cold Roses (2005)

The first of Ryan Adams' albums in 2005, and also his first with backing band the Cardinals. Sadly today, Chris Feinstein, bassist with the Cardinals died. Chris wasn't involved with this album, but became a Cardinal later after Catherine Popper left the band. This is a double album with a fantastic first side. The first two songs are over five minutes each but never drag on. It's Adams' lengthiest album, but it's also the best of the 2005 trilogy.

19. Damien Rice - O (2002)

The best Irish debut this decade, Damien Rice will never make another like it. Rice's Juniper work was much more raw and aggressive, but here he paired up with Lisa Hannigan to make gorgeous slow moving songs. It's a long swoonsome listen, but every song is a classic. It's not just about the singles, but other songs such as 'Amie' and 'Cold Water' are beautiful too. Vyvienne Long's cello throughout is amazing.

18. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (2009)

His second solo album since leaving the Drive-By Truckers, Isbell also gave his backing band lead billing. The 400 Unit are a stellar band and add a lot to his fantastic Americana. Isbell is fantastic solo, but the rest of these guys add an extra, louder dimension to his fantastic lyrics. One of the finest songwriters of our generation.

17. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins (2008)

I wrote this blurb for a forum I frequent as part of their best albums of 2008 list. It was my favourite album of the year due to its brilliant melodies and fantastic lyrics. But rather than talk about that, just enjoy this: http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2009/12/blurb-okkervil-river-stand-ins.html

16. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog (2007)

Sam Beam's best work so far, it was the album Bon Iver fans should've been listening to instead. (I've said that a few times now.) It has some beautiful love songs, and some outrageously gorgeous ballads.

15. Bell x1 - Music in Mouth (2003)

Bell x1's second album outdid their debut in every way. The lyrics became much more outrageous. I mean who could forget a line like "No you're not Maud Gonne" or the brilliant wordplay of 'Snakes and Snakes' and 'Alphabet Soup'. It's so much more than 'Eve, the Apple of My Eye' (originally a Juniper song 'Never' anyhow, like 'Tongue').

14. Drive-By Truckers - Decoration Day (2003)

Named after Memorial Day in the US, the Drive-By Truckers' fourth album is another tribute to southern America. It was the first album with Jason Isbell on board, which brought a fantastic new dimension to the band. His songwriting here is flawless: check out the fatherly advice of 'Outfit', but his involvement allowed Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley to reach new levels also.

13. Whiskeytown - Pneumonia (2001)

The swansong of Whiskeytown, this was released after the band had broken up. Like Fleetwood Mac's Rumours without the marital strife, it's an essential band breakup album. Some people may argue that their earlier work was better (although none of it is from this decade), but for me, this is the essential Whiskeytown album. It starts off brilliantly with 'The Ballad of Carol Lynn' and 'Don't Wanna Know Why', but it reaches its highpoint midway through with the phenomenal one-two punch of 'Under Your Breath' and 'Mirror Mirror'.

12. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)

Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes released two albums simultaenously in 2005. One was an out-there electronic album, and the other was a stripped-back acoustic led record. The softer, more mellow one was the better. By a comfortable margin. Skip the random monologue at the start, that's just Oberst being pretentious. The rest of the record never exceeds itself. It's Oberst at his most reflective, where he just makes music without ego.

11. Ryan Adams - Gold (2001)

It's impossible to forget that video for 'New York, New York', filmed in front of the World Trade Center on 7th September 2001. The song became an obituary to the city as well as a gorgeous tribute (up there with Bruce Springsteen's The Rising). Aside from that, there was so much to savour. Even the shortest track, 'Gonna Make You Love Me' is a winner. But it's 'When the Stars Go Blue' that'll keep Adams' pockets lined. has he ever written a better song?

The Countdown continues tomorrow...

Download: Drive-By Truckers - two live songs from The Big To Do

You've probably read the tracklist for the new Drive-By Truckers album The Big To Do, what you may not know is that they have already played some of these new songs live. On the 29th of August 2009, they played two new tunes at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte on their two-night stand there. The first 'Get Downtown' is a Mike Cooley penned song, and is track 8 on the new album. The second, 'I Told You So', or '(It's Gotta Be) I Told You So' is one of the songs bassist Shonna Tucker takes the lead vocal on, and is track 10. You can get them both here as mp3s, or else go over and get the entire bootleg in a zip file as mp3, flac, or ogg, whichever you wish!

Download:
The Drive-By Truckers - 'Get Downtown'
The Drive-By Truckers - '(It's Gotta Be) I Told You So'

Full Show

List: Best Albums of the Decade 50-41

Getting ever nearer that final ten... Part Seven of my countdown of the top 110 albums of the decade. You can find 110-101 here, 100-91 here, 90-81 here, 80-71 here, 70-61 here, and 60-51 here. But for now, here's 50-41...

50. Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge (2007)

The fifth album from the Sheffield troubador. It's also his best work so far. Every song on here is a crooning masterpiece, but amazingly that tome of online music journalism, Pitchfork gave it 5.8. How? There's no way anyone could not like this. Beautiful, bleak, and brilliant.

49. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2002)

Is there a better rock song this decade than 'Banquet'? Regardless of what else was on Bloc Party's debut, that song alone would guarantee its brilliance. However, the rest of it is damn good too. The repetition of 'She's Hearing Voices' and the power of 'So Here We Are' are wonderful. 'Price of Gas' was the only low-point, but instead of playing that, just throw on 'Banquet' again.

48. World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland (2007)

The only instrumental album to make my list, it's also the best album to come out of Asia this decade. It's a post-rock epic record, filled with songs capable of soundtracking any Tim Burton film. It's so easy to think of this record alongside those photos from the new Alice in Wonderland. Tim, if you don't already have someone in mind, snap up Katsuhiko Maeda already.

47. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova/The Swell Season - Once OST (2007)

Both this and the self-titled record deserve to be here, but since they are more or less the same album, I decided to go with the one more people own, and also the one which includes the wonderful 'Gold' and the hilarious 'Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy'. The highlights are endless, but I couldn't really talk about this album without mentioning that song. Worthy of every award, it's one of the most beautiful duets you'll ever hear.

46. The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

If you own only one White Stripes record, it's probably this one. But don't just stop after the opener, there's so much more here than 'Seven Nation Army'. The cover of the Bacharach/David classic 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' is just as amazing as their wonderful take on 'Jolene'. Don't listen to any of that crap that you've heard. Meg White is a damn good drummer. Just misunderstood.

45. Thom Yorke - The Eraser (2006)

Radiohead mainman goes it alone. Shock! But it's so much better than those who wrote it off as Radiohead-lite. Why do you think everyone went so crazy about Yorke's exploits with Flea and his odd new live band. These songs are fantastic in themselves. It's actually better than Kid A, the album it probably most closely resembles. 'Black Swan' is incredible. Listen to it. Now.

44. Muse - Original of Symmetry (2001)

Muse's second album is their best. It took what worked from the first album, Showbiz, and turned it all up to eleven. There are so many classics on here, it's hard to choose a favourite: 'New Born', 'Bliss', 'Citizen Erased', 'Plug In Baby', and that cover of 'Feeling Good'. And the solos, oh those solos...

43. Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams (2008)

Some may argue that Destroyer's Rubies is the better album, but for me this is Dan Bejar's finest hour. It's a fuller record, a more rounded album, and one that's easier to get into. You know why that is? Because it's better. A brilliant album, the perfect comfort blanket, it'll soothe you in ways you didn't know were possible.

42. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007)

Gretchen Wilson for grown-ups, the second album from Miranda Lambert outdid her debut in every way. Opener 'Gunpowder & Lead' just tells you what type of album this is. The second song, 'Dry Town' is penned by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings too. The album is almost as good as Gillian's best work, and marks Lambert out as one to watch. Her 2009 record wasn't as good, but she'll be back better than ever.

41. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark (2008)

We wondered would the DBTs be as good after the exodus of Jason Isbell. We knew they could be fantastic without him, as they had been on their first three albums, but we the jury was still out on whether they could be as good. Luckily, they proved they could be. Shonna Tucker took on writing and vocal duties alongside Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood, and showed that she was damn good in her own right. It was more country than the Isbell era, but it was the rockers that shone. '3 Dimes Down', 'That Man I Shot', and 'A Ghost To Most' are among their best. Amazing.

The Countdown continues tomorrow...

Album Cover: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To Do

Could this be the album cover?

Album News: Drive-By Truckers - The Big To Do

Drive-By Truckers have signed to ATO Records for the release of their new album The Big To Do on March 16th 2010. The press release for it came today and included the exact line Patterson Hood used in my recent interview with him: “It’s very much a rock album...Very melodic and more rocking than anything we’ve done since disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera.” Have a read of the full interview here.

The inspiration for The Big To-Do came to the band during their time on the road. “We’ve often set our songs and albums in different periods of time, but this one finds us directly in our present. Riding all through the highways of America (and Europe) trying to make sense of a very different world than the one we grew up in,” says Hood. “I don’t write a lot of songs on the road, but I did more than usual on this album and many more were inspired by or set there, either in a literal sense or something I witnessed or heard about while I was out there.”

Bassist Shonna Tucker has written two of the thirteen songs, but the rest are Hood and Mike Cooley jams.

Tracklist:
1. Daddy Learned to Fly
2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking
3. Birthday Boy
4. Drag the Lake Charlie
5. The Wig He Made Her Wear
6. You Got Another
7. This Fucking Job
8. Get Downtown
9. After the Scene Dies
10. (It’s Gonna Be) I Told You So
11. Santa Fe
12. The Flying Wallendas
13. Eyes Like Glue
14. Girls Who Smoke (Bonus track – vinyl only)

List: Best Albums of the Decade 90-81

Part Three of my countdown of the top 110 albums of the decade. You can find 110-101 here, and 100-91 here. But for now, here's 90-81...

90. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones (2006)

Karen O and her band of merry men are definitely one of the most consistent acts of the decade. Show Your Bones was confirmation of the sheer magnificence the YYYs showed on their first album. It was less angsty but still caused ructions in the band. Luckily they didn't break up and instead released this glorious second album.

89. Death Cab for Cutie - The Photo Album (2001)

Some may argue for the inclusion of Transatlanticism or We Have the Facts, or maybe even Plans, but for me, this is the essential Death Cab for Cutie album. It hinted at what was later to come on the Postal Service record, with Ben Gibbard's vocals blending fantastically with Chris Walla's fantastic productionship and guitarmanship. 'A Movie Script Ending' may well be their finest four minutes.

88. Killing Heidi - Reflector (2000)

Don't be put off by the cutesy album cover, Killing Heidi's Reflector is the best pop album to come out of Australia this decade. It's the perfect antithesis to Nick Cave's bleak ballads. These are bouncy uptempo pop numbers, and the brash in your face cheer of the album won four ARIA Awards, as well as becoming the fastest selling album in Australian history.

87. The Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy (2000)

Another wonderful pop album, this one is full of the usual sardonic Mark Oliver Everett (Mr. E) wit. They may never make another Beautiful Freak, but this one came damn close. Check out 'Mr. E's Beautiful Blues' and 'Flyswatter'. And if you do listen to 'I Like Birds', you'll have it stuck in your head, and coming back at random intervals for the rest of your life.

86. Drive-By Truckers - A Blessing and a Curse (2006)

The last Drive-By Truckers album to include Jason Isbell was also their shortest. It wasn't as dirty as their previous albums and split opinions in both fans and critics. Looking back on it now allows you to see the album for what it is: the DBTs are their tightest and most close knit. Each song is a gem, and the album never outstays its welcome. It's just a major pity Isbell doesn't play 'Daylight' live any more.

85. Seth Lakeman - Freedom Fields (2006)

A British folk album filled with fantastic myths and stories, this is one of the finest storytelling records of the decade. It was so succesful on first release, Lakeman was signed to a bigger label and the album was partly remixed, re-ordered, and re-released. However, the original version, complete with bonus disc, is the one to own. Miles better.

84. The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday (2005)

On paper, a concept album about Holly, Gideon, and Charlemagne who go from party to party in different cities. However, the album is much more than this. The music of Tad Kubler and Franz Nicolay is goregous, and mixes perfectly with Craig Finn's narrative voice (he doesn't sing, rather speaks the lyrics). It's like a brand-new classic rock album. A modern classic that everyone should own.

83. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedela (2007)

I saw Jens live in Whelan's not long after this album came out, and it was perhaps the most disappointing gig I have ever attended. On his own he's just an average guitar player and average singer, but on record, he makes the most beautiful music complete with a full band and a handful of inspired samples. His second album is a melancholic masterpiece. Have a listen to the highly amusing story in 'Postcard to Nina'. Has unrequited love ever sounded so sweet?

82. Ryan Adams - Jacksonville City Nights (2005)

The second of Ryan Adam's 2005 releases is also the second best. On first listen I absolutely hated it. It seemed like it was trying too hard to be a country record. But on further listens it showed itself to be much more. It was an unpolished, fun album. It featured fine duets with Norah Jones and former Whiskeytowner Caitlin Cary, and the bonus cut included Adams' best ever cover (not the Oasis one), a heartbreaking 'Always on My Mind'. Jon Graboff's pedal steel has never sounded so good

81. Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim (2008)

Alas, I Cannot Swim is the album Lisa Hannigan wished she had made when recording Sea Sew. Hannigan's own is a decent album, but Marling's is superior in every way. 'Ghost', 'My Manic and I', 'Night Terror' and even the short interlude 'Crawled Out of the Sea' are among the best songs to come out of the new folk revival in the UK. And all of them are here on this album.

The Countdown continues tomorrow...

Interview: Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers

My year end and decade end lists are coming up very shortly. You should expect the Drive-By Truckers to feature on both (especially the decade end one). So imagine my delight at being able to interview Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers. Here is what he had to say about returning to Ireland, new albums The Big To-Do and Go Go Boots, his favourite lyrics, his early band Adam's House Cat, working with Booker T, and even selected his favourite albums of the decade.

Firstly, thanks for taking the time out to do this. With three main songwriters in the band, how do you decide what gets on the albums and what gets cut?
Patterson Hood: There always seems to be a few dominant songs which kind of establishes a theme or running thread the it is a matter of what songs fit and what songs don't.
Everybody is really tough of themselves so the songs are generally really strong before they come in to the band. It is almost always the dominant writer who pulls a song out of running.
We all really love each other's songs so it is often me or Shonna arguing in defense of a song Cooley wrote and vice versa. There is no room for ego or hidden agendas in this band. We always say "song is king" and every decision is based upon that premise. I think that is a bog part of what makes our band as good as it is.


Mythology is featured in many of your songs, do you have a favourite story or folk tale?
PH: I do love myths and legends. Folklore, storytelling, etc. All of these things are a big part of what we do and things we apply to our music. It's a grand old tradition that isn't done as much nowadays as in days past. We are all very much into the idea of keeping that old tradition alive as best we can.


You released B-Sides album The Fine Print earlier this year, do you have any plans to ever release other outtakes and unreleased songs, such as Neil Young's Archives?
PH: We don't really have that many outtakes. We do edit ourselves very heavily, but usually before the recording process begins. Usually if we like a song enough to actually record it, it's considered a keeper. If we don't get a good enough take for it to make the album we can it and try again the next album. There is a good bit of live archives but we don't have any plans for them at this time. We do have our first live album (Alabama Ass Whuppin' from 2000) that has been out of print for several years. I'd like to reissue that one day as well as the old Adam's House Cat album that Cooley and I recorded in 1990 but right now our main concern is with our new material going forward.


What is your favourite lyric you have written? And what is a lyric you wish you had written yourself?
PH: Right now probably a new song (from the next album) called "The Wig He Made Her Wear" about a murder a few miles from where I grew up. I've always been really proud of "Heathens" "The Living Bubba" and "World of Hurt". I wish I had written "Zip City" which is my all time favorite DBT song, but of course no one on earth could have written that except for Mike Cooley. I'm just lucky I got to play on it.


A lot of your shows are available online for download for free (such as on archive.org ), do you feel this helps your fans to connect with the music better?
PH: It seems like a good thing. Our fans like it and I would think it has helped to grow our fan base. It kind of fills the void from all of the radio play that we don't get.


And how do you stand on the whole issue of online music piracy?
PH: There are certainly abuses but I don't think there's any plausible way to fight it. I sure don't believe in suing our fans. We try to go the extra mile with our packaging and artwork to entice people to actually BUY the album. I would hope that by making it an appealing thing to actually own it would help sales. I would hope that people realize that we're very much a working class band. We make a lot of our music available for free but I would hope that people who enjoy those freebies would at least support the cause by actually buying that new album that comes out (even if they downloaded it earlier before it came out). As I said, even if it's to have the packaging. Our albums are packaged very beautifully.


Who are your influences, other than the groups and artists usually connected with you?
PH: Far too many to name. Todd Rundgren was a huge influence on me. All of us really love old country and soul music as well as punk rock and 70's arena rock.


You played a co-headline tour with the Hold Steady this year which was fantastic. Are there any other artists you'd love to share a stage with?
PH: Tons of great bands out there. Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, M Ward, Radiohead, Any Jack White project. If the Stones were to ask, I wouldn't say no.

And any you'd rather never play alongside again?
PH: No one I can think of. We've generally gotten along well with everyone we've ever toured with.

Since you spend a lot of time touring and playing live, surely there must be some really memorable concerts or concert moments that stand out. What has been the best concert? And the weirdest thing to happen at a gig?
PH: I have no idea. We've played way over 1,000 shows and I'm usually happy with them unless I'm sick or there's some bullshit technical thing that keeps us from doing what we want to do. Obviously the audience has a lot to do with it, but were very fortunate to usually have very kick ass audiences. I always long for that moment of transcendence where we all lose ourselves in the moment. It happens more nights than not. There have been nights where we played more or less perfectly, but that wasn't there and so I didn't like the night. Other nights that might have had plenty of technical fuckups but we all lost ourselves in the moment and were very happy at the end.


Are you still friends with Jason, and do you listen to his albums?
PH: Yes and Yes. We don't see each other very often, but I keep up with what he's doing. He's an amazing talent and I think his best days are still ahead. I'll probably see him over the holidays.


Southern Rock Opera is a concept album about Skynyrd, any intentions to do any more records like this in the future?
PH: For starters, It's only loosely based on their mythology and how that interacts with people's perceptions of the part of the country we come from. It's more printing the legend as John Ford would have said than a literal history. It could be argued that all of our albums are somewhat concept albums, even though some of them were not planned that way at all. The lines become very blurry, which of course I think is a good thing. I've come to terms with the fact that all of our albums deal with concepts, even when they're not concept albums. There is always a running theme (or joke, or both) that ties all of it together.


What can you tell us about the new album, The Big To Do? Will it be a change in direction, or what are your main influences for it?
PH: It's very much a Rock album. Very melodic and more Rocking than anything since disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera. We're very proud of it. We actually recorded two complete opposite albums this year. The second one will come out sometime later. It's called Go-Go Boots and is what we affectionately refer to as our R&B Murder Ballad album.


How did the album with Booker T come about?
PH: Booker T signed with ANTI Records, which put out the Bettye LaVette album that we played on (and I co-produced). Andy Kaulkin from ANTI asked if we'd like to do another project and we all said yes. Booker had always wanted to make a guitar based album and Andy played him some of our material and he thought it might work. We got together last fall and made the album in four days. I really hope we can make another one with him. We toured together some this year and I feel that we could really delve much further than we've been able to if given a chance.


Did you learn anything from working with Booker and Bettye LaVette that you have brought to your own shows or songwriting?
PH: We learned a lot from both of them. I think our last album (Brighter Than Creation's Dark) was heavily influenced by having made Bettye's album earlier that year and likewise I think working with Booker really influenced The Big To-Do. Booker's album being all instrumental taught us a lot of how to nuance things musically in ways that really paid off when we started writing our new one. it made us all better players also.

And should we expect any guests on your own upcoming album?
PH: No, not on this one. David Barbe plays on a few things (like he almost always does on our albums) but otherwise no guests. We would like to do a guest laden album at some point, but this wasn't the time.

I'm asking everyone this at the moment, but if you had to choose, what is your favourite album of the 00s?
PH: The Glands - The Glands (2000 - Capricorn Records) and Gillian Welch - Time The Revelator. I'm pretty obsessed with both of those albums.


Also, one last one, any chance of an Irish date in the future? You haven't been here in years, and there's a lot of whiskey here waiting to be drank...
PH: I can't wait to play Ireland again. Hopefully next spring after The Big To-Do comes out.

Watch: Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood - In the Air Tonight

Words cannot express how awesome this is. Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood (and his band) covering Phil Collins' 'In The Air Tonight':

Stream: Drive-By Truckers - The Fine Print

If only all albums were this good, and if only every band was the Drive-By Truckers. Even their B-Sides are fantastic. They release B-Sides collection The Fine Print this week, which includes such live classics as 'Goode's Field Road' and the Jason Isbell penned 'Thank God for the TVA' renamed 'TVA' on here.

Tracks:
1. George Jones Talkin Cell Phone Blues
2. Goode's Field Road
3. Like A Rolling Stone
4. Little Pony And The Great Big Horse
5. Mama Bake A Pie
6. MrsClaus Kimono
7. Play It All Night Long
8. Rebels
9. The Great Car Dealer War
10. TVA
11. Uncle Frank
12. When The Well Runs Dry

Stream the full album here:
http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/11