Brighter Than Creation's Dark
by Drive-By Truckers
  • Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Jan 22, 2008
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 46
  3. Negative: 2 out of 46

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  1. DaveS.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    I don't so much listen to a Trucker's record, I have an ongoing relationship with it. BTCD and I will have a long-running conversation. Neff's steel work, Oldham's piano pop up to floor me at different points in every new listen to the work. Intelligent lyrics, searing emotion and DBT's musical craftsmanship produce the usual intoxicating mix of the DBT cocktail. I don't so much listen to a Trucker's record, I have an ongoing relationship with it. BTCD and I will have a long-running conversation. Neff's steel work, Oldham's piano pop up to floor me at different points in every new listen to the work. Intelligent lyrics, searing emotion and DBT's musical craftsmanship produce the usual intoxicating mix of the DBT cocktail. Set me up for many more rounds.… Expand
  2. JohnC
    Jan 25, 2008
    9
    ...after isbell's departure my expectations were not nearly this high.
  3. SeanP.
    Feb 27, 2008
    10
    At 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.
  4. KarlH.
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    They 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.
  5. NormanF.
    Feb 3, 2008
    10
    The 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!!
  6. GaryG.
    Feb 6, 2008
    8
    I 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.
  7. MikeJ.
    Jan 26, 2008
    10
    Right alongside the Dirty South as their best records.
  8. TS
    Jan 26, 2008
    10
    Wow.... Album of the year and it's only January 22nd. Who needs Isbell when you can write songs like this?
  9. BartW.
    Jan 27, 2008
    10
    To 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.
  10. BenInBrooklyn
    Jan 28, 2008
    9
    My first great album purchase of 2008. Its got me off random play... finally.
  11. PaulC
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    The first good album of 2008.
  12. MycroftW.
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    On par with their impressive back catalogue, another winner.
  13. JD
    Feb 14, 2008
    9
    "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.
  14. DanielC.
    Feb 8, 2008
    10
    This is among DBT's best recordings. It may be lengthy, but that's my only complaint. I love this record.
  15. PhilB
    Jan 25, 2008
    9
    What 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.
  16. EricC.
    Jan 27, 2008
    9
    And 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.
  17. HexumS
    Feb 29, 2008
    10
    I 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!
  18. MikezD.
    Mar 18, 2008
    10
    Maybe the best record they have done, and so far better than anything else this year.
  19. RattyP.
    Mar 25, 2008
    7
    Better than many band's best by a country mile, but we're talking DBT standards here. I have to say, I really miss Jason.
  20. Ricko
    May 30, 2020
    7
    Drive-by Truckers hit an incredibly rich vein of form in the 00's that started with 2001's Southern Rock Opera and for me finishes up here on this album. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), this also marks the time that Jason Isbell was in the setup, joining after "Southern Rock Opera" and leaving before this one, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark". The songs are solid and at times brilliant.Drive-by Truckers hit an incredibly rich vein of form in the 00's that started with 2001's Southern Rock Opera and for me finishes up here on this album. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), this also marks the time that Jason Isbell was in the setup, joining after "Southern Rock Opera" and leaving before this one, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark". The songs are solid and at times brilliant. It's the Patterson Hood stuff that I gravitate towards more on this. I have to admit, country rock isn't one of my favoured genres and its goes to show how good this outfit are that they've enticed me to listen and buy many of their records. That said, a 75 minute album with 19 tracks can be a chore to get through even for a band that I'm into.… Expand
  21. godmanifest
    Jan 31, 2014
    10
    Really 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.
  22. Shrimpy
    Sep 12, 2016
    10
    Spooner 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.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2008
79
#79 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Billboard
    80
    Brighter Than Creation's Dark is one of the meanest, leanest 19-track albums you'll ever spin.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Southern-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]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    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.
    Read full review
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