Drive-By Truckers: The Big To-Do

Drive-By Truckers
The Big To-Do
ATO Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: This is your Truckers.

Album Review:
If you enjoy stories then the new record from Southern rockers Drive-By Truckers is right up your lyrical alley. Once again, the records 13 tracks were penned by the three singer/songwriters of Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Shonna Tucker. This trio created an excellent combination on 2008's critically hailed record Brighter Than Creation's Dark (we put it in the Top 10) so it is no surprise that The Big To-Do follows the same penmanship formula. Each member has a standout track from the sad alcohol story from Patterson in "The Fourth Night Of My Drinking" to the upbeat boogie of Cooley's "Get Downtown", which are all balanced by the solid tempo breaking ballad from Shonna on "You Got Another". The rest of the songs cover subject matter like your daily paper, from tunes inspired by Court TV to the daily grind of a job. The only real thing that holds The Big To-Do back a bit is its lack of a catchy track compared to their previous efforts plus the transistions sometimes feel sluggish. These two pieces don't pull too badly on the record becuase the songwriting is still so strong and the stories are very intriguing. The Big To-Do definitly takes more than one listen to absorb but fans will still be pleased because the Drive-By Truckers have never forgot their roots and this album falls right in line!

Key Tracks: "The Fourth Night Of My Drinking", "You Got Another", "Get Downtown"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lucero
Tom Petty
The Bottle Rockets

Drive-By Truckers: The Fine Print (A Collection Of Oddities And Rarities 2003-2008); Live From Austin TX [Fire Note Review 9/3/09]
Patterson Hood: Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs) [Fire Note Review 6/24/09]
Drive-By Truckers: Brighter Than Creation's Dark [Fire Note Review 2/11/08]
Drive-By Truckers: A Blessing And A Curse [Fire Note Review 4/18/06]

Official Drive-By Truckers Website
Drive-By Truckers MySpace
Drive-By Truckers Facebook
ATO Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox