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Brighter Than Creation's Dark
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Brighter Than Creation's Dark Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the first album since Jason Isbell left the band to pursue a solo career.

Top Track

Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife
When he raised the gates of Heaven, He didn't understand. And near the friends were coming over. Was it all a dream? Was it all a crazy dream? Saw... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    With their trademark of talented musicianship, beautiful story-telling and unique brand of rock and roll, Drive-By Truckers are unmatched in every sense of the word. This is a remarkable album and one that is downright near perfect.
  2. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    100
    OK, 19 songs, gotta be filler here somewhere, and there is, only it isn't melodic -- with all music credited to the band, Shonna Tucker's muzzier lyrics and Mike Cooley's more elusive ones sound as well-turned as those of Patterson Hood, who's never written better.
  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.
  4. Mojo
    80
    The Truckers have always been a direct band but this time there's a kind of foreplay, where each song gives the other time and consideration. [Mar 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. NOW Magazine
    80
    Mike Cooley steps up with some much-needed light contrast to Patterson Hood’s darker lyrical impulses, which are well represented here, sometimes with touching poignancy and others with blunt force trauma.
  6. Slant Magazine
    70
    As is, it's a sporadically brilliant effort by an exceptional band whose reach still sometimes exceeds their grasp.
  7. Hot Press
    60
    Sprawling America travelogue stays strictly old school.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. 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. ASpooner 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.… Expand
  2. 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, 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.… Expand
  4. MikeJ.
    Jan 26, 2008
    10
    Right alongside the Dirty South as their best records.
  5. MikezD.
    Mar 18, 2008
    10
    Maybe the best record they have done, and so far better than anything else this year.
  6. BenInBrooklyn
    Jan 28, 2008
    9
    My first great album purchase of 2008. Its got me off random play... finally.
  7. MycroftW.
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    On par with their impressive back catalogue, another winner.
  8. ScottH.
    Mar 12, 2008
    4
    It's whiney, twangy, predictable, pretty annoying.

See all 23 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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