American Band
by Drive-By Truckers
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2016
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Weebjudas
    Nov 4, 2016
    5
    This gets a half score from me because this is a half good album, only half the songs I would even consider listening to again (I feel like anything between the opener and 'Ever South' you could skip to it's benefit) and I feel my money was wasted.

    And it's not about the politics, the politics are fine and I certainly agree with them but that does not make the songs any better. 'Sun    This gets a half score from me because this is a half good album, only half the songs I would even consider listening to again (I feel like anything between the opener and 'Ever South' you could skip to it's benefit) and I feel my money was wasted.

    And it's not about the politics, the politics are fine and I certainly agree with them but that does not make the songs any better. 'Sun don't Shine' in particular felt like a complete waste of three minutes.

    What annoys me the most is all the stunning reviews only seem to focus on how good and how much they agree with the politics and I don't feel a music reviewer should do that. They should tell me if the music was good, and I feel betrayed by a lot of reviewers on this one.

    Get 'The Dirty South' instead, it's kosher AND plays a lot better than this one.    … Expand
  2. emilypi
    Oct 3, 2016
    6
    The Drive-By Truckers are one of my top 3 all time favorite bands - not just for the content of their songs, but also their melodies and how hard they rock. That's why I need to be honest about this records. It simply wasn't that good musicially. Ideologically? Yes, absolutely. Hood and Cooley can write a damn fine song, and they're always pretty poignant and clever. But on this albumThe Drive-By Truckers are one of my top 3 all time favorite bands - not just for the content of their songs, but also their melodies and how hard they rock. That's why I need to be honest about this records. It simply wasn't that good musicially. Ideologically? Yes, absolutely. Hood and Cooley can write a damn fine song, and they're always pretty poignant and clever. But on this album they get... a little preachier than usual? But I honestly don't mind that - I love lots of melodramatic and preachy music. The main problem that keeps me from liking this album very much is that the music simply isn't there. It's not very good, is all. The melodies aren't really there like they used to be.

    They really need to bring in someone like an Isbell to be the melodic counterpoint to Cooley's clever lyricism and rockin' guitar, as much as there needs to be someone to counter Hood's indie sentimentality and muted melodies.

    That being said, I think there's room for someone to come out with an incredible border-crossing, race-politically savvy masterpiece of a rebel rock album. They got that spot on, and I love Hood's indie-folk songs as much as anybody. Here's to the DBT!    … Expand
  3. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    4
    I really liked " ever south" as it was a different take on country rock. But the rest of the album falls flat

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2016
76
#76 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 7, 2016
    80
    For being so politically and socially charged, American Band is not a divisive album.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Nov 4, 2016
    70
    This is an album as much as about emotions as it is topics.
    Read full review
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Nov 4, 2016
    70
    American Band won’t transform our American landscape; good country music can’t heal a national soul. But an art of humanity and a faith in being better to each other can help redefine America.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »