Drive-By Truckers: Ugly Buildings, Whores And Politicians - Greatest Hits 1998-2009

Drive-By Truckers
Ugly Buildings, Whores And Politicians: Greatest Hits 1998-2009
New West Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The proof is in the music - the Drive-By Truckers are top notch!

Album Review:
"I get 10 miles to the gallon - I ain't got no good intentions" is just one line in Drive-By Truckers "Zip City" but it highlights the quality and working mans Americana you get when you put on a Drive-By Truckers record. You are probably asking yourself how in the world the Drive-By Truckers have a greatest hits disc? Well, if you have been following the band's career since 1998, you already know that they have some killer songs but if you are new to their Americana party then this is the perfect set list to get you hooked. This compilation gives you one song off each of their first two records that were not on New West and then of course the record gives you a heavy dose from their four studio records on the label. You get the Drive-By Truckers in what most still consider their prime configuration that included the talented Jason Isbell before he went his solo direction. Most of their songs are timeless, which is why Ugly Buildings... plays so well today, as the songs are always driven with passion, truthfulness and heart. The band has released two more records since 2009 on ATO records, so those tunes are not here which hurts a bit because Ugly Buildings is not completely comprehensive from a collection standpoint. Now, it is not that big of a factor though considering the band is still releasing music, so even if this record covered every album it would still have an issue as soon as they released new material. If you are looking for an entry point, this compilation is perfect but long time fans that have all the albums may not have a need - especially in this digital age most have already built a hit list themselves as it is certain that at least one or two favorites were left off here. Regardless, Ugly Buildings is all the evidence needed for the Drive-By Truckers to be listed near the top of great Americana groups and what is even better is that they continue to release solid album after solid album!

Key Tracks: "Bulldozers And Dirt", "The Righteous Path", "The Living Bubba"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Bottle Rockets
Uncle Tupelo
The Allman Brothers Band

Drive-By Truckers: Go-Go Boots [Fire Note Review 2/16/11]
Drive-By Truckers: The Big To-Do [Fire Note Review 3/12/10]
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]

Drive-By Truckers Website
Drive-By Truckers Facebook
New West Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony