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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Dirty South
EMAILPRINTby Drive-By Truckers
Universal acclaim
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 28 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: New West
Release Date: 24 August 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
No, the Drive-By Truckers haven't gone all gangsta rap on us; the title is just one example of the southern rockers' playful side. Founders Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley remain, although their surrounding cast has changed a bit since the acclaimed 'Decoration Day.'
Also By This Artist: A Blessing And A Curse Brighter Than Creation's Dark Decoration Day
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
E! Online
Even though the production is slicker, The Dirty South is still packed with painful, well-illustrated southern gothic sagas.
Read Full Review >Spin
Both sucks the air out of Dixie legend and revives it. [Sep 2004, p.122]
All Music Guide
The Drive-By Truckers are the best, smartest, and most soulful hard rock band to emerge in a very long time.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
South undeniably positions the group as a hard-rocking roots act, and further as one of today's most assured rock bands, period.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The Dirty South is more consistent and cohesive song-for-song, its wide scope more public than personal.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
Comparing The Dirty South to the last two Truckers’ records is like arguing over the merits of the first two Godfather movies. Either way you win.
Read Full Review >Billboard
These are songs riddled with illiteracy, cancer, unemployment, crime and consequence, fashioned by the brutal pen of one of the most promising American songwriters of the last decade.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Display[s] a lurid intelligence that seeks to explore an alternate American history. [Oct 2004, p.102]
Uncut
Lyrically, it's riveting, tapping into a unique Southern storytelling tradition. [Nov 2004, p.118]
Blender
These rough, bitter, ruminative songs are slower, longer and wordier than those on Decoration Day. [Sep 2004, p.139]
Village Voice
Although this could get tired eventually, the Truckers haven't run out of stories yet, and their acute awareness of themselves and their forebears suggests they'll know when to say when.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
The Dirty South is relatively toothless in comparison to Decoration Day and the breakthrough Southern Rock Opera, rarely even building up that predictably satisfying head of steam.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Megan G. gave it a10:
The Drive By Truckers are one of the best bands out! I love every song.
Cody D gave it a10:
One of the best Trucker CDs. I could listen to this all day and night.
Hein gave it an8:
The best Southern Rock since Lynyrd Skynyrd
Fred B gave it a10:
It doesn't get much better than this. All three guitar players are genius. The kind of stuff the government should distribute to heal the masses.
trav r gave it a9:
easy listen and rocking out just the way i like it
Tim K gave it a9:
I think after repeated listening over the last four months, I like it better than Decoration Day... Isbell has really come on with ' Manuel/Danko' and 'Goddamn Lonely Love', and Cooley's 'Carl Perkin's Cadillac' is my new favorite song while Patterson Hood is still chucking punch-in-the-guts rock and roll that hits you full steam and makes you believe you're listening to the best rock to come down the road in some time... awesome
[Anonymous] gave it a9:
Like all my favorite music, I had to listen to it several times, then it set it's hook good and deep. Turn it up to 10 and rip off the knob. Best enjoyed with your favorite beverage on ice.
