The Dirty South (album)

Last updated
The Dirty South
Dbt thedirtysouth.jpg
Studio album by
Drive-By Truckers
ReleasedAugust 24, 2004
Genre Rock
Length70:34
Label New West
Producer David Barbe
Drive-By Truckers chronology
Decoration Day
(2003)		The Dirty South
(2004)		 A Blessing and a Curse
(2006)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 87/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Austin Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Pitchfork 8.4/10 (2004) [7]
8.7/10 (2023) [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Spin A− [10]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The Village Voice A− [12]

The Dirty South is the fifth album by American rock group Drive-By Truckers, released in 2004. The Dirty South is Drive-By Truckers' second concept album. Like its predecessor, Southern Rock Opera , the album examines the state of the South, and unveils the hypocrisy, irony, and tragedy that continues to exist.

Contents

Background

"Where The Devil Don't Stay" was inspired by a poem by Mike Cooley's uncle Ed Cooley, and was recorded in one take.

Patterson Hood's "Tornadoes" was originally written in 1988 in reaction to the closing concert for the Adam's House Cat Nightmare Tour. The Nightmare Tour set list was composed almost exclusively of songs containing metaphors or imagery of trains, but the lack of the tour’s success forced Hood and his band to abandon the concept and start afresh. Hood read an eyewitness account of the tornado in the local paper the next day and wrote "Tornadoes" after reading her statement that "it sounded like a train."

Jason Isbell's "The Day John Henry Died," retells the story of John Henry.

"Puttin' People on the Moon", written by Hood, tells the story of a town downriver from Huntsville and their "rocket envy" or economic depression due to the negative environmental and economic effects of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Cooley's "Carl Perkins' Cadillac" recounts the celebrated Sun Records, Sam Phillips, and the music industry in general.

"The Sands of Iwo Jima" recounts Hood's experiences with his great uncle while growing up in North Alabama. Questioning the veracity of the movie, his uncle answers he never saw John Wayne on the sands of Iwo Jima.

Isbell's second track on the album, "Danko/Manuel," is a departure from the usual southern gothic lyrical style written by Cooley and Hood. Originally Isbell tried to tell the story of Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and The Band's demise, but found the scope of the concept too difficult to actually do justice to their story, and instead shifted the concept to a telling of the life of a musician through the eyes and actions of Danko and Manuel. Isbell stated that the horn parts for the song came to him in a dream.

"The Dirty South" contains a three song suite ("The Boys From Alabama," "Cottonseed" and "The Buford Stick") about Sheriff Buford Pusser. "The Boys From Alabama" was inspired by the misconceptions and “really bad movies” of the Redneck Mafia and recounts the movie Walking Tall from a "different point of view." Hood felt that telling the story from "the bad guy's" point of view would be more interesting. Cooley's "Cottonseed" tells a story of corruption, crime, killing, greed, fixed elections, guns, drugs, prostitution and alcohol and uses subtle imagery to provide a very negative interpretation of Pusser. Hood's "The Buford Stick" completes the suite by providing examples of the negative effects of Pusser's actions while offering a less glorified view of the mythology surrounding Pusser.

Cooley's last song on the album is a story about a father who instills a love of racing in his son. "Daddy's Cup" is the only song on "The Dirty South" that does not revolve around a negative experience, instead offering a lighter touch to the overall dirty feel of the album.

Isbell has explained that "Never Gonna Change" is simply about a stubborn North Alabama man who "refuses to live in fear," which Isbell goes on to explain is rather rare.

"Lookout Mountain" was written around 1990 by Hood, and can be heard in its original incarnation on Adam's House Cat's LP Town Burned Down . It was a last minute addition to the album, beating out another Hood song entitled "Goode's Field Road." "Goode's Field Road" was eventually rerecorded for 2008's Brighter Than Creation's Dark ; however, the cut that was dropped from The Dirty South managed to see the light of day on The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities . The version as it appears on The Dirty South was recorded in one take.

The Dirty South ends with Isbell's "Goddamn Lonely Love". Though described by Isbell as a love song, "Goddamn Lonely Love" heavily and painfully delves into the loneliness associated with love. Isbell wrote the song for Shonna Tucker.

As of February 2008, The Dirty South is Drive-By Truckers' best-selling album. The Dirty South was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The Complete Dirty South

In June 2023, the album was re-released as The Complete Dirty South. This new version included three tracks not included on the original album: "Goode's Field Road", "TVA" and "The Great Car Dealer War". Additionally, it features new vocal tracks for "Puttin' People on the Moon" and "The Sands of Iwo Jima" as well as additional remixes. [13]

Track listing

Original album

The Dirty South track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Where the Devil Don't Stay"Mike Cooley5:19
2."Tornadoes"Patterson Hood4:15
3."The Day John Henry Died"Jason Isbell3:48
4."Puttin' People on the Moon"Patterson Hood4:55
5."Carl Perkins' Cadillac"Mike Cooley5:26
6."The Sands of Iwo Jima"Patterson Hood4:12
7."Danko/Manuel"Jason Isbell5:47
8."The Boys from Alabama"Patterson Hood4:27
9."Cottonseed"Mike Cooley6:23
10."The Buford Stick"Patterson Hood4:43
11."Daddy's Cup"Mike Cooley5:53
12."Never Gonna Change"Jason Isbell5:24
13."Lookout Mountain"Patterson Hood5:02
14."Goddamn Lonely Love"Jason Isbell4:59

The Complete Dirty South

The Complete Dirty South disc one track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Where the Devil Don't Stay"Mike Cooley5:19
2."Tornadoes"Patterson Hood4:15
3."The Day John Henry Died"Jason Isbell3:48
4."Puttin' People on the Moon"Patterson Hood4:55
5."Goode's Field Road"Patterson Hood4:23
6."Carl Perkins' Cadillac"Mike Cooley5:26
7."TVA"Jason Isbell6:58
8."The Sands of Iwo Jima"Patterson Hood4:12
9."Danko/Manuel"Jason Isbell5:47
The Complete Dirty South disc two track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."The Boys from Alabama"Patterson Hood4:27
11."The Buford Stick"Patterson Hood4:44
12."Never Gonna Change"Jason Isbell4:43
13."Cottonseed"Mike Cooley6:24
14."The Great Car Dealer War"Patterson Hood5:43
15."Daddy's Cup"Mike Cooley5:53
16."Lookout Mountain"Patterson Hood5:02
17."Goddamn Lonely Love"Jason Isbell4:59

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for The Dirty South
Chart (2004)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [14] 147
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard) [14] 14
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard) [14] 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buford Pusser</span> American policeman, sheriff, and wrestler (1937-1974)

Buford Hayse Pusser was the sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1970, and constable of Adamsville from 1970 to 1972. Pusser is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling, and other vices along the Mississippi–Tennessee state line. His efforts have inspired several books, songs, movies and a TV series. He was also a wrestler known as "Buford the Bull" in the Mid-South.

<i>Southern Rock Opera</i> 2001 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

Southern Rock Opera is the third studio album by the American rock band Drive-By Truckers, released in 2001. A double album covering an ambitious range of subject matter from the politics of race to 1970s stadium rock, Southern Rock Opera either imagines, or filters, every topic through the context of legendary Southern band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The record was originally self-released on Soul Dump Records. The album was re-released on July 16, 2002 by Lost Highway Records. The album was financed by issuing promissory notes in exchange for loans from fans, family and friends of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive-By Truckers</span> American rock band

Drive-By Truckers are an American rock band based in Athens, Georgia. Two of five current members are originally from The Shoals region of northern Alabama and met as roommates at the University of North Alabama. The group also has roots in Richmond, Virginia.

<i>Decoration Day</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

Decoration Day is a rock album released by Drive-By Truckers in 2003. The album was recorded mostly live over two weeks at Chase Park Transduction Studios in Athens, Georgia, and was produced by noted producer and former Sugar bassist David Barbe. The album is the Truckers' fifth, including their live album Alabama Ass Whuppin', following the critically acclaimed Southern Rock Opera. The album features a more mellow, stripped down, and reserved sound compared to Southern Rock Opera's heavy hitting southern rock.

<i>A Blessing and a Curse</i> 2006 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

A Blessing and a Curse is the sixth studio album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers, released in 2006. It peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200, which was the highest charting for the band until 2008's follow up, Brighter Than Creation's Dark, which hit #37.

<i>Pizza Deliverance</i> 1999 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

Pizza Deliverance is the second album released by Alabama rock band Drive-By Truckers, released in 1999. It was recorded in five days at Patterson Hood's house. The album was mixed by Andy LeMaster. The album cover art was created by Jim Stacy. The album was re-released by New West Records on January 25, 2005 along with the band's first studio effort, Gangstabilly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Isbell</span> American singer-songwriter

Michael Jason Isbell is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007. Isbell has won six Grammy Awards.

<i>Brighter Than Creations Dark</i> 2008 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

Brighter Than Creation's Dark is the seventh studio album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers. It was released on January 22, 2008 in the United States.

<i>Alabama Ass Whuppin</i> 2000 live album by Drive-By Truckers

Alabama Ass Whuppin' is the title of the first Drive-By Truckers live album. It was recorded live in Athens and Atlanta in 1999. During the band's 2012 New Year's Eve rock show at the 9:30 Club in DC, it was announced that an expanded vinyl and CD release of the album was scheduled for 2013. A new version of the album was remastered and released on ATO Records in 2013.

<i>Sirens of the Ditch</i> 2007 studio album by Jason Isbell

Sirens of the Ditch is the debut solo album released by singer-songwriter and former Drive-By Truckers lead guitarist, Jason Isbell. The album was released on July 10, 2007.

<i>Potato Hole</i> 2009 studio album by Booker T.

Potato Hole is a 2009 album by Booker T. Jones, recorded with Drive-By Truckers as the backing band and guitar accompaniment by Neil Young.

<i>Live from Austin, TX</i> (Drive-By Truckers album) 2009 live album by Drive-By Truckers

Live From Austin, TX is the second live album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers. It was released as a two disc CD/DVD combo. It was recorded on September 26, 2008, and boasts an almost twelve-minute recording of the song "18 Wheels of Love," which was originally released on their first album Gangstabilly.

<i>The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities</i> 2009 compilation album by Drive-By Truckers

The Fine Print is a compilation album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers. Released in 2009, it consists unreleased material mostly recorded throughout the making of their albums Decoration Day and The Dirty South; a highly prolific period for the band. It features album artwork and a sample of concert posters from 2009 by Wes Freed, and is produced by David Barbe.

<i>The Big To-Do</i> 2010 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

The Big To-Do is the eighth studio album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers, released on March 16, 2010. It is their first album released on ATO Records, which they signed to after completing their four album deal with New West Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patterson Hood</span> Musical artist

Patterson David Hood is an American singer-songwriter and co-founder of the band Drive-By Truckers.

<i>Ugly Buildings, Whores, and Politicians: Greatest Hits 1998–2009</i> 2011 compilation album by Drive-By Truckers

Ugly Buildings, Whores, and Politicians: Greatest Hits 1998–2009 is a compilation album released by New West Records of songs coming from the first seven albums of the Drive-By Truckers discography. It was produced by David Barbe and "leads fans on an abbreviated journey of what the band has accomplished in their first 11 years." The album was released on compact disc and vinyl formats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shonna Tucker</span> American singer-songwriter

Shonna Tucker is an American bassist and songwriter from Killen, Alabama, near Muscle Shoals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Cooley (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter

John Michael Cooley is an American songwriter, singer, and guitarist from Tuscumbia, Alabama, near Muscle Shoals. He is a member of the band Drive-By Truckers.

<i>English Oceans</i> 2014 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

English Oceans is the tenth studio album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers, released on March 4, 2014, by ATO Records. It was produced by long-time collaborator David Barbe and recorded during two weeks in the late spring of 2013. Wes Freed again provided the album's artwork and cover. English Oceans marks the first time the Drive-By Truckers returned to the studio in four years and is one of three records the band has released with two songwriters. It's also the band's first record after bassist Matt Patton officially joined the band.

<i>American Band</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Drive-By Truckers

American Band is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Drive-By Truckers, released on September 30, 2016 on ATO Records. Produced by long-time collaborator David Barbe, and recorded in the summer of 2016, it is the first Drive-By Truckers album since 1999's Pizza Deliverance not to feature cover art by their longtime collaborator Wes Freed.

References

  1. ↑ "Reviews for The Dirty South by Drive-By Truckers". Metacritic . Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  2. ↑ Deming, Mark. "The Dirty South – Drive-By Truckers". AllMusic . Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ Gray, Christopher (September 17, 2004). "Drive-by Truckers: The Dirty South (New West)". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  4. ↑ Tannebaum, Rob (September 2004). "Drive-By Truckers: Drive-By Truckers". Blender (29): 139. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ Coleman, Nick (September 12, 2004). "Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South (New West)". The Independent .
  6. ↑ "Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South". Mojo (131): 102. October 2004.
  7. ↑ Deusner, Stephen M. (August 31, 2004). "Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South". Pitchfork . Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  8. ↑ Currin, Grayson Haver (21 June 2023). "Drive-By Truckers: The Complete Dirty South Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Soults, Franklin (2004). "Drive-By Truckers". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  260. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  10. ↑ Beaujon, Andrew (September 2004). "Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South". Spin . 20 (9): 122. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South". Uncut (90): 118. November 2004.
  12. ↑ Christgau, Robert (April 3, 2003). "Consumer Guide: Inter-Century Freundschaft". The Village Voice . Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Drive-By Truckers Announce 'Director's Cut' Reissue of 'The Dirty South'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 Drive-By Truckers Artist Chart History at Billboard
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.