Decoration Day
by Drive-By Truckers
  • Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Jun 17, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20

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  1. CHaltcountrytab
    Oct 30, 2003
    10
    best record of the year
  2. DamienS
    Sep 1, 2006
    9
    It's not a masterpiece like "Southern Rock Opera," but if ever a band has followed a masterpiece honorably, this is it. Here there is less of the obvious Skynyrd influence and more of the country and punk influences that began DBT on its path toward southern rock, giving it a more unique sound. Meanwhile, the insightful, powerful songwriting that characterized "Southern Rock Opera" It's not a masterpiece like "Southern Rock Opera," but if ever a band has followed a masterpiece honorably, this is it. Here there is less of the obvious Skynyrd influence and more of the country and punk influences that began DBT on its path toward southern rock, giving it a more unique sound. Meanwhile, the insightful, powerful songwriting that characterized "Southern Rock Opera" remains in full force. This may be the best band working in the world right now.… Expand
  3. AndrewV
    Oct 27, 2003
    10
    Maybe the most honest album made in the past 5 years. Pulls no punches and doesn't look down on its subject matter something very easy to do given the subject matter. Amazing, I listened to it every day for about two months.
  4. EricR
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    Best rock act going today
  5. Ricko
    Jun 12, 2020
    8
    Drive By Truckers are the only out and out country outfit that I have multiple releases by. They have big tunes but this isn't always what impresses. The big thing with them is the lyrics which paint incredible stories. "Decoration Day" is my favourite album by them. I do think, like all their releases, that some serious editing would be of huge benefit to this. At 15 songs and over anDrive By Truckers are the only out and out country outfit that I have multiple releases by. They have big tunes but this isn't always what impresses. The big thing with them is the lyrics which paint incredible stories. "Decoration Day" is my favourite album by them. I do think, like all their releases, that some serious editing would be of huge benefit to this. At 15 songs and over an hour long, it's a big ask for it to engage the whole way through unless it is a classic album. Stripped of 20 minutes or so this would have the potential to be a 10 out of 10. Patterson Hood is the main draw for me, his songs and delivery are a cut above the rest.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Billboard
    80
    At over an hour, "Decoration Day" does feel a little unwieldy. But for better or worse, there's simply not a single song here that wouldn't be missed.
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  2. AllMusic
    90
    Somber and smart, Decoration Day also manages to kick like a mule, and if isn't quite a masterpiece along the lines of Southern Rock Opera, it's strong enough to suggest the Drive By Truckers have another masterpiece in them.
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  3. Village Voice
    80
    Darker, more personal than political, Decoration Day rocks easier and rolls harder than Southern Rock Opera, but nevertheless proves beyond a doubt that the DBT engine's got enough horsepower to keep on.
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