- Record Label: New West
- Release Date: Jan 22, 2008
User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 42 out of 46
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Mixed: 2 out of 46
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Negative: 2 out of 46
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DaveS.Jan 30, 2008
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SeanP.Feb 27, 2008At first listen, it sounded like a very good alt-country album. But then, I found myself going back to it over and over again. By now, I've heard it more than any other album in the last few weeks. It has grown on me considerably. Now it's one of the best alt-country albums I've ever heard. The staying power is incredible. It's all I've been listening to lately.
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KarlH.Feb 2, 2008They have set the bar high and they don't disappoint. The songs that Shonna wrote and sings on just add another element to America's best band.
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NormanF.Feb 3, 2008The only question is whether this is the year's best rock album or the year's best country album. I'll let everyone else figure it out...I'm too busy listening all day long. Wow!!
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MikeJ.Jan 26, 2008Right alongside the Dirty South as their best records.
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TSJan 26, 2008Wow.... Album of the year and it's only January 22nd. Who needs Isbell when you can write songs like this?
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BartW.Jan 27, 2008To me, this is easily their most relevant and thoughtful record. A real treat for new listeners and long time fans alike. In my opinion, their best songwriting to date.
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DanielC.Feb 8, 2008This is among DBT's best recordings. It may be lengthy, but that's my only complaint. I love this record.
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HexumSFeb 29, 2008I had never heard of this band before. I just downloaded some random high scoring album from MetaCritic because I was bored. I dislike about 95% of albums that get critical acclaim here, but let me tell you this is definitely one of the 5% that I absolutly love. This is my best MetaCritic find since The Shins - Chutes too Narrow. Try this one out!
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MikezD.Mar 18, 2008Maybe the best record they have done, and so far better than anything else this year.
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Jan 31, 2014Really really beautiful songs. They don't have to act out ridiculous emotions for us to react emotionally. The first song truly depressed me in its beauty and subject matter. Moving stuff.
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Sep 12, 2016Spooner Oldham is what makes this album for me. His work on the keyboards is amazing. This album has a dirty edgy sound to it that works. A Ghost to Most and Self Destructive Zones are instant classic. Its a shame that Shrimpy Swartz is a such a poser fake music fan he has no love for this band.
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JohnCJan 25, 2008...after isbell's departure my expectations were not nearly this high.
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BenInBrooklynJan 28, 2008My first great album purchase of 2008. Its got me off random play... finally.
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PaulCJan 29, 2008The first good album of 2008.
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MycroftW.Jan 29, 2008On par with their impressive back catalogue, another winner.
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JDFeb 14, 2008"Two Daughters And A Wife" is the ONLY diamond in this rough. i gave this a 9 ONLY because of this song. It went directly into my "EPIC" playlist. Pretty boring and unremarkable otherwise.
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PhilBJan 25, 2008What an astounding effort this album is? After the departure of Jason Isbell.some folks had thought it was the beginning of the end, how wrong they were. I never doubted the Cooley/Hood partnership but Shonna Tucker has just gone and stepped up to the plate and has done it in style. What a hidden jewel this womans voice is...surely one of the contenders for album of the year.
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EricC.Jan 27, 2008And to think I used to hate southern rock. These guys are awesome, and are quickly making their way next to Spoon and the Arcade Fire as my definitive favorite bands (a prestigious list, I know). Seriously though, why aren't these guys noticed enough? They could be a slap in the face for all the people who think there hasn't been a good southern band since Skynard.
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GaryG.Feb 6, 2008I don't know how they keep doing it album after album... but here is another brilliant one by The Drive-By Truckers. I think they could have streamlined the songlist a bit as 19 tracks is a long listen. However, some of their best songs ever can be found on this album.
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RattyP.Mar 25, 2008Better than many band's best by a country mile, but we're talking DBT standards here. I have to say, I really miss Jason.
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May 30, 2020
Awards & Rankings
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Brighter Than Creation's Dark is one of the meanest, leanest 19-track albums you'll ever spin.
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Entertainment WeeklySouthern-rock riffs still anchor the tunes, but Brighter also throbs with pedal steel and creamy keys played by veteran R&B session guuy Spooner Oldham. [25 Jan 2008, p.68]
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The result is a sprawling, 75-minute immersion in the dynamic between Patterson Hood's Neil Young/Tom Petty-influenced folk and rock and Steve Cooley's mix of Rolling Stones, stone country and Band-flavored folk-rock.