Brighter Than Creation's Dark
by: Drive By Truckers
(New West)
Athens, Georgia's Drive-By Truckers are the undisputed torch bearers of Southern Rock in the 21st century. They are as Dixie Fried as Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker or the Allman Brothers. They blend all of their influences from Southern rock, country, folk, punk and Muscle Shoals (Patterson Hood’s dad David is one of the infamous Swampers, who played on countless r&b records in the day) into a totally unique sound that has turned the club scene on it’s ear over the past few years.
Following their highly creative Southern Rock Opera release in 2001, the Truckers seemed to get stuck in a kind of rut, with most of the music beginning to sound like a rehash of past efforts. Which is not to say the albums sucked, they were still better than most of the drivel being released on the major labels.
Brighter Than Creation's Dark finds Hood and Mike Cooley painting new pictures, honest pictures, of believable southern characters. Their songwriting styles have always complemented each other and both have kicked it up a notch on Brighter.
Cooley's song “Bob,” a two minute account of a middle-aged man who never married, may be the best track on the album.
Bassist Shonna Tucker adds bucketloads of new blood, both as songwriter and as singer on "I'm Sorry Houston," "Home Field Advantage," and "The Purgatory Line." Her country soaked harmony vocals with Hood are amazing as well.
Also helping to make the record classic is the addition of legendary Muscle Shoals keyboardist Spooner Oldham, to whom this CD is dedicated. Spooner offers a little calm amid the storm, so to speak, with his often beautiful piano nuances.
There are nineteen songs in all on Brighter Than Creation's Dark, lots of music for the money. However, that can also be looked upon as a drawback in this age of short attention spans. But not in Buffalo’s book. The more the merrier. It’s all good, y’all.
- Michael Buffalo Smith