Brighter Than Creation's Dark - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
DBT s brand new album is a Southern gothic rock n' roll masterpiece with 19 songs adding up to over 75 minutes of pure rock n roll. The band continues its notorious 3-guitar attack with the promotion of longtime sidekick John Neff to full member. Patterson Hood contributes 9 songs to the album (The Righteous Path, Daddy Needs A Drink), 7 songs from Mike Cooley (A Ghost To Most, Lisa's Birthday) and 3 songs from Shonna Tucker (The Purgatory Line). This it the first time Shonna has written the songs for a DBT album. All this is enhanced with musical contributions from he legendary Spooner Oldham.

As Patterson Hood says about the songs on the album, Stylistically, they run the gamut from old-timey sounding country to a heavy R&B influence. Some songs that are quieter than any we've ever recorded and some that rock harder than anything we've ever done. In the end it's still all Rock and Roll (which is why that will always be the description of choice to us when describing our music in stylistic terms).

Drive-By Truckers are one of the most unique recording artists and live bands in popular music today. The Truckers write about people, places and situations like no one else, and have build an amazing worldwide audience in the process.

Album Description
180-gram, 2-disc gatefold. The 2008 album from Drive-By Truckers is a 19-song 75+ minute Southern Gothic Rock n' Roll masterpiece. The album features songs from Patterson, Cooley and Shonna. The three guitar attack continues with John Neff. The album also features contributions from Spooner Oldham. Features the songs "The Righteous Path", "3 Dimes Down" and "Purgatory Line".

Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

A masterpiece January 23, 2008
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

I've been listening to this album pretty much non-stop for the last couple of weeks. As a longtime DBT fan, I'm pretty comfortable in saying that I think this is their best album yet. I was worried when Jason Isbell left the band. I wasn't sure the band could keep up the quality without Jason in the band. But I was wrong. And that's not in any way meant to be a knock on Jason Isbell. (I love his solo record!) It's just that DBT pulled a rabbit out of their hat with BTCD. From start to finish, this record is nothing but top-notch songs. Great melodies, great lyrics. Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood...along with the impressive Shonna Tucker...really hit a home run with this one. Too long? No way. Full of filler? No way. Nineteen kick-butt songs, and nothing else. I swear, there isn't a bad song on this album. And there are a bunch that stand out as just totally killer tracks: "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife," "The Righteous Path," "I'm Sorry Huston," "Self Destructive Zones," "The Opening Act," "That Man I Shot" (rock and roll!!!), "The Purgatory Line," and the album closer, "Monument Valley." All freakin' fabulous songs. And my favorite song (for the moment) on the album? "You and Your Crystal Meth." Never have I heard 7 notes on a piano tell such a chilling, haunting story. By far one of the most thought-provoking songs I've heard in a long time. I really and truly think this is the Drive-By Truckers best album to date. They've had other fabulous records, but this one shows that their aging like fine wine. Hats off to Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and the rest of the best Southern rock and roll band in the world today. And one of the best rock and roll bands in the world...period!

3 out of 5 stars

"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. . ." February 29, 2008
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

After half a dozen listens, I find that The Drive-by Truckers latest recording, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark," still sounds somewhat unfinished and a bit disjointed. Many tracks here have that signature DBT grit and dark energy, and the Mike Cooley tracks rise to the top on this disc, both for their pace and wit.

Some of Patterson Hood's contributions--and I know he is the leader of the band--hold their own with his earlier work, e.g., The Opening Act. But sometimes the tales and actions of those characters who inhabit the dark places in his mind push me away. For instance, the broken glass in your fingertips tone of You and Your Crystal Meth is haunting but not something I can say I'm drawn to want to hear over and over. Nor can I muster much love for Daddy Needs a Drink

I think the Shonna Tucker songs are certainly OK, if a bit tentative, and her somewhat hesitant voice betrays emotions not fully vented here. She and drummer Brad Morgan do make a whale of a rhythm section. Another plus if having Spooner Oldham in the mix on about three-fourths of songs, and the cagey keyboard vet never gets in the way and sounds as smooth as ever here.

But I have to say it: I miss Jason Isbell's contribution, both his songs and his guitars. Although John Neff knows his way around the music here, he does not seem to have permission to take over some of the songs the way Isbell could at times.

If the tone and energy here only matched that of Wes Freed's excellent artwork, than "Darker than Creation's Bright" would be the next great DBT recording instead of being a very good one. What's lacking, for me, is that sense of coherence that makes an album great. To quote Yeats, "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. . ."

5 out of 5 stars

This Will Be on of 2008's Best. January 22, 2008
11 out of 15 found this review helpful

First of all, thank you Amazon for offering this in 256/DRM-free format. And most importantly, thanks to DBT for giving us this exceptional piece of work. This is the Trucker's strongest effort since The Southern Rock Opera in my humble opinion.

The departure of Jason Isbell had me concerned but those concerns have been laid to rest. I must say the Truckers sound better than ever! Brighter Than Creation's Dark will be rockin' my headphones, home sound system and car for quite some time.

Don't hesitate. Treat yourself. Buy this now!!!

2 out of 5 stars

Another step in the wrong direction February 8, 2008
11 out of 14 found this review helpful

They started to slip with "A Blessing and a Curse" and this record is even
worse. I absolutely love these guys and its upsetting to see the
direction they are headed. Perhaps the high expectations and terrific
reviews are finally starting to catch up with them? Its hard to put out
as much music as they have and maintain the quality. As usual, Amazon
reviewers have consistenly given this record 5 stars... what are they
listening to? Have they heard "Dirty South" or "Pizza Deliverence"? If this record is 5 stars, then those go to eleven!

The songs here seem short/unfinished when compared to bigger, epic songs from the earlier records. They dont tell complete stories. I understand that less is more sometimes, but not here, not with this band. They are
at their best with some attitude. If you dig depressing/personal tunes -
"Decoration Day" is the better disc.

The band seems pre-occupied with deep thoughts and psycho-babble like the album title "Brighter than Creation's Dark". Lines like "To execute his
gladness on the fullness of his cup" sounds like they are trying to live
up to someone else's notion of who they should be. Its seems they are
trying too hard to be poets instead of speaking from the heart about what
they know. They were better when they railed on Buford Pusser! Lines like "I used to love you, but now you suck" and "he might kneel, but he never bends over" are just sophomoric.

The absence of Jason Isbel hurts a little but its not the main problem with this disc. Shonna Tucker's songs hold their own and she has a
nice country-rock voice that seems to fit well with the band. Perhaps
shortening this record would have helped, but even the filler on
"Southern Rock Opera" is better than the best stuff on this record.

I appreciate this band continuing to crank out music and touring... but
there isnt a single memorable track of the 19 on this disc. Hopefully
they can recall the magic of songs like "Zip City", "Cottonseed", "Uncle
Frank", and "Tornadoes" some day. I am giving them one more chance.

4 out of 5 stars

A Good but Not Great DBT release still trumps what passes for Rock today January 31, 2008
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have been a DBT fan since I stumbled upon Southern Rock Opera 9 years ago...have bought everything in their catalog and played each numerous times. I am a huge fan and promoter of the band to all who will listen. This is the first DBT release without talented guitarist/songwriter Jason Isbell who was dismissed from the band as a falling out over his divorce of DBT bass player Shonna Tucker. Patterson Hood called this the best DBT album yet and I have to disagree.Isbell was a young buck who kicked new life in the Truckers writing the best stuff on each album he played on. This is a more subtle album with Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley stepping up their game with some tremendous tracks like Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,3 Dimes Down and the best song on the CD The Opening Act. Spooner Oldham on the keyboards and John Neff's haunting steel pedal guitar add an understated elegence to these mellower songs that have really grown on me after repeated listenings.The problem I have with the release is this album has many songs that fall short. Tucker isnt anywhere close to the songwriter her ex husband is although The Purgatory Line was decent but the other two were weak. She does add a nice touch singing background on several songs. Overall a good DBT release still beats most of what passes for new rock today.

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