This is one of the legendary album releases by the Southern Rock band Drive-By Truckers. It is an ambitious and sprawling double-disc concept album that, according to all recollections, was a real pain to make. Still, this album is now considered a classic album in many ways due to the nature of the music within, and the conceptual ideas of this album itself. The band at this point consisted of: Mike Cooley (vocals and guitar); Earl Hicks (bass guitar); Patterson Hood (vocals and guitar); Rob Malone (vocals and guitar) and Brad Morgan (drums). The band ran into serious financial issues during the recording of this album, requiring them to source loans from outside third parties to keep the project afloat, and had to be re-released globally later on. Even so, this album looks and seems like a classic throughout, complete with artwork done by Wes Freed. Let’s take a listen to this album, now widely seen as a classic, and we shall hear where it takes us.

Days Of Graduation begins with some electronic sounds and launches into some surreal sounds, along with some strange noises in the background. Soon enough, guitars enter and this tune kickstarts with some drumming, leading into a strange and unusual-sounding piece of music. A very unusual, simple yet wonderful listen about womanizing, this is a cool tune to listen to and enjoy. A great and surreal song with treated vocals, interesting lyrics and some good Rock based instrumentation throughout, this is a great and different song that is bizarre. Great to hear, however.

Ronnie and Neil launches right into it, with some awesome overdriven guitar riffs and heads into a cool, dirty and downturned Southern Rock music piece. All in all, this does sound really great. Some deep and throaty vocals emerge in this song, and this tune comes nicely alive. An unusual-sounding piece of music with some references to Wilson Pickett and other Country based Southern Music ideals, this is a fantastic song that has a definite Classic Rock vibe all over it. The multitracked guitars and references to Rock Music history are fantastic. One can immediately confirm this song and album as a classic by this stage, and this is a very iconic listening experience. This music is a sensationally theatric and awesome listening experience and just sounds very dirty, driven and somewhat Bluesy. A good piece about Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, this is a sweet and excellent tune. An underrated and iconic listening experience from start to finish, this ends with a fantastic Fender Telecaster guitar solo. Definitely worth your ears. Sensational.

72 (This Highway’s Mean) begins with some downtuned and moody guitar playing, launching into an excellent piece of Southern Rock. This does sound really fantastic, once again and continues the flow and feel of this double-disc concept album nicely. This music is perfect for those of you who live in the south of the USA, and who love going on long drives through the desert. The music and arrangements throughout are very pretty, gorgeous and artistic to listen to. Nonetheless, a really great tune to listen to. This is some of the best Rock Music that has been made for many years, as the main genre itself experienced a slow and painful commercial decline which was apparent by this point. Nonetheless, the musicianship and soloing throughout this tune are fantastic to listen to. A really cool and interesting listening experience, through and through. This music is hugely underrated, and the deep, Country-esque styled singing is really fantastic to listen to. Nonetheless, it is a great, great listening experience perfectly designed for your next road trip. The music and sounds are fresh and unique throughout. A very fantastic music listening experience, especially for those of you who dig Rock Music of any sort. The guitar soloing in the outro is superb. A wonderful and emotionally charged listening experience from start to finish.

Dead, Drunk and Naked is a very humourous title for a song. It launches into some nicely overdriven guitars and drumming, which is steady and sturdy to hear. The lyrics throughout are very funny and are about the simple life that one experiences. Again, this sounds really fantastic and simple, representing the simple things that life can give oneself for pleasure. This has an amusing and interesting set of lyrics matched to mellow and straightforward Southern Rock, with references to drinking and other hedonistic pursuits. This sounds wonderful and magical throughout, all the same. A really great listening experience, this album is no doubt already a solid gold classic. There is a climatic line about missing one’s father, and this sounds quirky yet enjoyable. For this style of music, Southern Rock, this is a fantastic and enjoyable storytelling musical listen that is very top. It ends with multitracked guitars and harmonies to match. A very nice, quirky and humourous tune from start to finish. Awesome. There is a guitar amp feedback swell right at the end.

Guitar Man Upstairs launches straight into an awesome and upbeat Southern Rock song with deep-fried vocals and lyrics about making music and drinking and smoking, too. Again, this song sounds fantastic and this album is definitely a classic album so far. A good classic tune, this music is fantastic. The guitar solo is clear, crisp and excellently played throughout. A really cool tune and something very inspiring to listen to, and a great song about the spirit and passion that musicians have, this is simple and super cool music that any musician should listen to. A second guitar solo section emerges which sounds mindblowing and great. A supercharged and sweet tune that sounds really great. It ends after three joyous minutes of Rock Music. A fantastic song about playing guitar.

Birmingham begins with some false starts, leading into a deep, dirty and awesome-sounding song on this double album. Some awesome lyrics emerge about Alabama Governor George Wallace and the failure of economics, amongst other cool musical and lyrical ideals throughout. This is yet another sensationally great tune about the history of the USA, put onto a double-disc concept album. A very much yearning song for fun and good times, this does sound very, very good for what this is. In the midsection is a great guitar solo that sounds incredibly fun and cool to listen to. A really great and interesting listening experience throughout, the lyrics are image-evoking and have small town-styled sort of imagery that will remind one of their childhood. A really great listen, through and through. Worth every moment to hear this song. The outro is electric and memorable.

The Southern Thing begins with some guitar chords and a drum lead into yet another fantastic song to hear. This is an interesting listening experience throughout, and the vocals throughout are really awesome, with hoarse but tuneful whiskey-soaked singing. The chorus is fantastic, with drop-tuned Fender Telecasters that sound really great. Nonetheless, a really cool and interesting tune with some iconic Southern Rock feel and imagery in the lyrics to match this awesome song. All in all, a really great tune to listen to. The music throughout is absolutely superb and excellent throughout. The gargantuan riffs in the midsection lead into the second half of this song, and this sounds extremely cool and amazing for what it is. A winner, this is not only quite possibly the greatest Southern Rock album of all time, but certainly one of the greatest albums of all time as well. A simple, melodic and catchy tune that reflects on the history of the USA, referencing Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King. This begins to wrap up with a fantastic guitar solo and sounds extremely great to listen to. The song finishes with some dramatic guitars and a neat conclusion that is memorable and catchy. Sweet.

The Three Great Alabama Icons is an extended piece of over seven minutes in length. It begins with some muted, staccato guitar riffs and sounds very highly amplified in volume. This eventually has some good drumming enter, and this piece begins to move along nicely. Some unusual lyrics are prevalent, and this piece is a bit of a Garage Rock-styled tune with some humourous lyrics and setting for the music at hand. This is quirky and excellent music for those of you who dig anything based in the USA South and references many Pop Culture-based iconic imagery and bands included. Nonetheless, this is a really cool listening experience that sounds awesome for what it is. Some references to political ongoings as well, which is different and interesting. This has some amusing references to the Alabama Governor (George Wallace) who was a far-right and almost dictatorial racist leader, depending on how you view politics. In any case, this is a very good listening experience from start to finish. It seems that the long memories of the Confederate side of the USA are still present in the south of the USA to this very day. A very interesting listen, it will only appeal to those really on the progressive side of politics. Still, a really cool listen and something worth spending time hearing. It wraps up with an ironic conclusion of fate and finishes with hi-hats and loose guitars. A good effort.

Wallace begins with some intricate drumming, and some loose guitar and bass guitar parts to match it. This continues the concept of the previous song and discusses the fate of a (possibly, depending on how you look at it) evil politician. After all, politicians are generally hated universally, both left-wing and right-wing politicians alike. An awesome song here nonetheless, the guitars and playing on this song match the Southern vocals perfectly, with references to the dirty nature of politics itself. Nonetheless, a very, very good piece of music. This sounds extraordinarily powerful and good fun to listen to. Some awesome guitar soloing is here, and this sounds absolutely wonderful for what it is musically. Nonetheless, a cool song that smells like Rock attitude. Very, very good.

Zip City begins with some dark, Grungy guitar riffs and quickly launches into a Classic Rock sounding sort of tune. This sounds gorgeously deep and melodic. Vocals enter, and this piece gets going very nicely and expresses some deep resentment at one’s father. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic listening experience throughout. This has some interesting small-town-styled lyrics throughout, and this music is unique and wonderful in its appeal. A fine and fantastic listening experience, there is some excellent Fender Telecaster neck pickup soloing here, to keep your mouth watering. A very, very good listen throughout. This music takes one places and sounds great from start to finish. Some great guitar soloing is present here, and the music throughout is professional and wonderful to listen to. This song is a great slide of sun fried Southern Rock with lyrics, guitars and drums to match it. Thoroughly enjoyable and listenable from start to finish. Very, very good music that concludes with some lone vocals and clean guitars to match, finishing sweetly. Great.

Moved begins with some moody and mellow guitars, with some awesome vocals to match. This quickly launches into a good song that is very much Classic Rock and highly memorable as a piece of music. A really great tune about sex, womanising and other male pursuits throughout, this is a great piece with just vocals and electric guitar. Even for its minimalism, this does sound incredibly enjoyable for what this is. A simple, loveable and enjoyable tune, this music certainly will last the test of time. A really great and fluidly melodic Southern Rock tune with some awesome and hollered vocals throughout, this is a great song, be it on its own or in the overall concept of this album. All in all, another fantastic listen throughout. Worth your ears. Side one ends here.

Let There Be Rock is not AC/DC, but is a Drive-By Truckers original. It sounds fantastic nonetheless and has some cool and interesting singing about being young, carefree and hedonistic throughout. All in all, this is another memorable and fantastic-sounding Southern Rock tune that sounds really awesome. The music throughout is really cool and the lyrics are intelligent, wacky and reflective of being young, dumb and full of it. The guitars and riffing throughout are really sweet to listen to. A very nice and tuneful listening experience about missing Lyrnyrd Skynrd and seeing other bands, namely Black Sabbath and AC/DC. This launches into a searing guitar solo that sounds fresh and awesome, to this very day. There are many overdubbed sections that sound great and amazing throughout. Very nice to hear all this, and the music sounds really great. Awesome. It ends with the hum and feedback of guitar amplifiers.

Road Cases begins with more down-tuned guitars and launches right into it, with some dual vocals and some sweet melodies throughout. This music is a really good listen throughout. The lyrical matter is about hitting the road per se, but it sounds gloriously Southern and very Rock and Roll. The music throughout is really eye-opening and excellent throughout, and it sounds very pretty, articulate and spot-on for down and dirty Rock Music. Another solidly great song to listen to. Top-notch and enjoyable.

Women Without Whiskey is an unusual-sounding number from the start. It has some melodic chords and guitar playing to match it, which sounds deep and different. The song itself is a good listen, and it has some good lyrics about substituting a life of alcohol for that of womanising. A really good listen, all the same, this sounds enjoyable and relatable if you love women and booze. The music here is an enjoyable listen, all the same. Another superb cut from this double album, with some interesting and surreal lyrics throughout, this is another fine cut from this double album. Towards the end are some decent guitar parts, sturdy drumming and a desire to give up the booze for a lover. All the same, this is very, very good. Nice to hear.

Plastic Flowers On The Highway is a strange song title. It begins with more downtuned and dirty guitar riffing and sounds really deep and excellent. It quickly launches into an interesting and Southern Rock-based vibe on this song. Soon enough, whiskey-soaked vocals enter and this tune about travelling solo emerges. A really awesome and interesting listening experience, with some image evoking and Psychedelic imagery about a road trip, this is yet another sensational listening experience. This is a gorgeous listen, in its own way. The music throughout is enjoyable and pleasant listening for this kind of dirty, down South Music. The guitars, playing, drumming and lyrical singing all make for a very good listen throughout. Whether you are listening for the first time or the hundredth time, this album never fails to disappoint the listener. In any case, this music is gloriously good to listen to. The guitars and mixing are fantastic throughout, illuminating this postmodern poetry at hand. A really good listen, this sounds incredibly sweet. The guitar soloing at the end is manic and impressive. Overall, another consistently great listen from start to finish. Excellent music to enjoy.

Cassie’s Brother begins with clacking drumsticks, launching into a very weird and wonderful tune. This song features Kelly Hogan on vocals. This song continues the concept and flow of this music very nicely. The guitars, again, sound really magnificent on this song, sounding very fresh and unique to listen to. A cool song, showcasing the variety and awesome nature of this music throughout. A very top-notch and awesome song to listen to, if this doesn’t put a smile on your face, not much will. A punchy and clear guitar solo section emerges, complete with some unique slide guitar near the midsection of this song. A really interesting and sweet tune to listen to, this music sounds extremely cool and unique for what it is. This blows away much of the competition, before and since. The Drive-By Truckers have created a fantastic and enjoyable double album that is totally worth hearing. In the second half are some insanely sweet guitar licks and playing that sounds extremely creative and driven. A nice slice of Southern Rock, with some pseudo-Fender Stratocaster sounds towards the end, with some repeated vocal harmonies that sound fantastic, this is a sure winner for what this is. Awesome tune. A really great listening experience.

Life In The Factory begins with some straightforward guitar riffs and sounds remarkably upbeat. This tune is yet another consistent and winner of a listen. This music definitely should win an appreciation award for being some of the most underrated music that you will ever hear. This song is no different in that sense, with lyrical references to working in extreme heat, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, yet again, amongst other famous Rock groups. The song is also about the dedication and passion that Rock Music has provided for many decades, by this point. Nonetheless, another winner of a tune. This progresses the music and glorious concept at hand along nicely, and the music is great Rock Music to play to your lifelong friends. All in all, a really cool and consistently inspired listening experience from start to finish. Slide guitar soloing is present in this song, and the music throughout is a real winner. This sounds deep, meaningful and conveys the message of music throughout. A great piece of music, the outro is very suspenseful and enjoyable to listen to. Another great listening experience. It ends with crashing drums and sustained electric guitars.

Shut Up And Get On The Plane is a short piece of music just over three minutes long. It quickly roars into a fantastic Southern Rock tune about living the Rock Music lifestyle of well…Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. In any case, this music is a fantastic and interesting listening experience. The Fender-styled guitars sound really fantastic on this song, and this song comes along as a sensational addition to a wonderful album that, quite frankly deserves much more attention than it receives. This music is a perfect halfway house between Rock and Country Music. An awesome guitar solo is present in the second half of this song before the verses remind us of the perils of being rich and famous. A really awesome, speedy and witty listening experience, this is a good highlight of this double album, of which there are many. Great to hear. The guitars at the end sound insane.

Greenville To Baton Rouge has some more down-tuned Fender Telecasters and has some interesting and grunt-like vocals throughout this song. As this album finally begins to approach its end, there are still magical musical moments throughout. A pretty, wild and rocking tune with some quirky and definite Southern Rock imagery. The guitar parts on this song definitely sound rather odd and different, but this whole tune is a tremendous and powerful musical statement. It is very uptempo and manic in its sound. In the middle of this song are some good guitar solos, following into the verses of the song. This is followed by drum rolls and some insane shred-styled guitar soloing. Amazing sounding, to be frank. This music will never lose its appeal. The drumrolls on the snare drum sound truly fantastic here, and this falls apart towards the end with some great theatrical sounds and a feedback-heavy conclusion. Decent.

Angels and Fuselage is the final track on this double album, and it goes for eight minutes. It begins with some loose guitar riffing and sounds eerie. This is a good listen, all the same. Some decent Southern Rock vocals emerge, and this tune sounds really great for what it is. Soon enough, this gets going into a smooth and downtempo tune that sounds really good. This music certainly will last the test of time, and it sounds great to this very day. A great conclusion to a great album, the singing, playing and performances are all fantastic here. Harmonica is present in this tune as well, to add some decent and different flavour to it all. A downtempo and joyous listen. The vocals throughout are reminiscent of Randy Meisner of the Eagles, and there are backing vocals throughout from Kelly Hogan. A fantastic and upbeat tune, the vocals present are insanely good, and in the second half is a joyous and borderline screamed vocal section, followed by some awesome guitar parts and soloing. A fantastic and awesome listen, there is also some electric piano to match this top-notch song. All in all, a solidly great conclusion to a fantastic album that really deserves more attention. Towards the end is a jam section with some guitars verging on heavy feedback. This double album ends with some piano and feedback, a nice conclusion to the journey prior to this.

This double album is a sensationally great listen and has genuine crossover musical appeal. Not only it is a great album in the Southern Rock genre, but is interesting, consistent and fresh-sounding throughout. This album is still one of the greatest listens of the 21st century as well. It has interesting lyrics, raw and dirty guitars and a sonic consistency and musical approach that is unforgettably good. Should you listen to this double-concept album? Absolutely, it is worth every moment of your time.

Fine, fresh and deep-fried Southern Rock with an intellectual twist.

9/10