I put a lot of thought into how to write about this album. There are a ton of directions I could go with it, but in the end I decided that the “like we were talking in a bar, while not trying to sound like pitchfork” approach that ninebulllets takes so often would work perfectly for this particular release.
In a way, The Fine Print perfectly encompasses the “duality” thing that the Truckers have made a career of writing about. On one hand, it’s the best album they’ve released in many years. On the other, the bulk of it was recorded years ago. On one hand, this album features that classic sound that DBT fans grew to love. On the other, the bulk of this album features a lineup that’s long since gone. That said, this album could be (maybe? possibly?) thought of as a cocoon album. It’s the last album the band has to do for New West Records, a label the band had grown increasingly uninfatuated with over the years, leaving them free to move forward on their own label, Ruth Street Records.
The Fine Print (A Collection Of Oddities and Rarities 2003-2008), as it’s properly called, is largely culled from the sessions that gave birth to The Dirty South. None of it is especially new to any DBT enthusiast, but the bulk of it hasn’t seen much circulation outside of the card-carrying DBT fan club. The album features two tracks from ex-Trucker Jason Isbell, and is surprisingly lacking any Shonna-fronted songs. I say surprisingly because I figured they’d put on one there, if for nothing else, cause she’s currently a “singer” in the band. The Isbell-fronted tracks rock your face off, while also serving as a cruel reminder of how good the band was when he was in it and how much has been lost (on both ends) since his departure. The standout track for me, a cover of Warren Zevon’s “Play It All Night Long”, also serves as a reminder of how good the Truckers can be from opening riff to closing bridge, basically forcing your hand to rotate the volume knob clockwise.
So, here we are. The best DBT album since The Dirty South and it’s a collection of toss-offs. What does this say about the band, if anything? Many of the tracks that have appeared on DBT albums in the past had been in the band’s arsenal for years prior to getting a “proper” release, so it’s not like that’s anything new. However, to be honest, the band has not really “rocked” since The Dirty South, and at times has outright sucked (see: A Blessing And A Curse). Before any fans send me hate mail, I, too, like Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, but let’s be honest, it’s not the album you’re gonna give someone if you wanna give them one cd to represent the band’s sound. Who knows, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark may be the Southern Rock Opera of the modern Trucker-era, but (IMO) it’s set apart from the material prior to ABAAC (an album I do not even acknowledge).
Therefore the question is this, is The Fine Print a siren’s call to a Trucker era past, or is it a warning shot that the “rocking” version of the Truckers is back? Either way, this album has a very secured position on the ninebullets.net Essential Listening list and it’s a must have for any Trucker fan.
Drive-By Truckers – Goode’s Field Road (alt version)
Drive-By Truckers – When The Well Runs Dry
Drive-By Truckers – Play It All Night Long
Drive-By Truckers Official Site, Drive-By Truckers on myspace, Buy The Fine Print
11 Responses to “THE DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – THE FINE PRINT”
On
I agree 100% with everything in that review. I’m looking forward to what comes out of being on Patterson’s label.
On
I guess I’m the only long-time trucker fan who thinks Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is their best album yet.
On
Well Dirty South is their best, IMO but Brighter Then creations Dark is a close second for me. As far as The Fine Print, I wanted a little more. I had heard most of these songs prior to The Fine Print and I guess I am just ready for all new material.
On
I’m a big fan of A Blessing and A Curse too. Actually it may be pound for pound my favorite Truckers album. Gravity’s Gone, Daylight, Feb 14, all great great songs.
On
i never knew ABAAC “outright sucked” so badly until reading so on yours and several other sites. what is it about that album that engenders such hatred?
i’m usually afraid of artists producing themselves and especially so on their own boutique label – the results most often scream for an outside editor/producer to make some cuts, which makes me think that the first DBT release on Ruth Street will suffer from the lack of a steady hand.
On
what is it about that album that engenders such hatred?
for me…the album fails to rock.
the only song on it I like is Gravitys Gone.I always assumed thealbum would grow on me but the more I listened to it the more I hated it.
It’s not even in my collection any longer.
On
Ruth St. is Patterson Hood’s personal label that he put out Murdering Oscar on. DBT will not be on Ruth St. Stating otherwise is just pulling shite out of one’s ass.
On
Can one pull British “shite” out of an American ass?
On
I totally agree with AutopsyVI. I literally blocked out ABAAC from my memory and was confused when I found it in my car one day.
On
I don’t know what anyone else thinks, but my personal favorite song on the record is their cover of Rebels. Lyrically its just so DBT its not even funny. Musically its a little different then most DBT stuff, but I love the song and can’t stop hitting repeat on my MP3 player.
On
You nailed that review.