Sirens of the Ditch
by Jason Isbell
  • Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2007
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    80
    This is a remarkably mature and impressive debut from an artist who seems like he's just getting started and his best stuff lies ahead of him.
  2. Amazon.com
    80
    Isbell's best songs will remind you of Richard Buckner, Raymond Carver, and Neil Young.
  3. cokemachineglow
    73
    Sirens is no "Heartbreaker" - though the stylistic grab-bag is reminiscent of Adams’s debut - but it is a damn good start.
  5. Pitchfork
    74
    "The Devil Is My Running Mate" a weak ending for a strong debut full of the kind of confident, charismatic songwriting that just can't be taught.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    Sirens sounds deceptively ordinary - it could be a Springsteen or John Hiatt record, professionally performed and plainly captured, yet executed with masterful effortlessness.
  7. Village Voice
    80
    The record smoothly lures and detours familiar, '70s-based rock-blues-country sounds and expectations while highlighting Isbell's character-actor flair.
  8. Uncut
    80
    Overall, Sirens… may be a bit of a stylistic scattershot, but the Muscle Shoals foundation and Isbell’s razor-sharp songwriting mark it as an auspicious debut.
  9. Blender
    70
    It's all top-shelf alt-country: road-hardened, literate and dark as ever. [August 2007, p.114]
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  10. The A.V. Club
    91
    Sirens is the sound of a freshly liberated songwriter scouring his soul - and coming up full-handed.
  11. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Isbell has pulled together another gritty Southern Siren song.
  12. NOW Magazine
    40
    Isbell shows us his sensitive side in a collection of lightly strummed breakup ballads and weepy slow-dancers you'd expect to get from Ryan Adams. That's not an endorsement.
  13. Spin
    70
    Given time, Isbell could be roots rock's Flannery O'Connor. [Aug 2007, p.102]
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  14. Paste Magazine
    70
    Isbell shines most when he’s not channeling; tracks like 'Chicago Promenade,' 'Shotgun Wedding' and tasteful protest ballad 'Dress Blues' (which smartly chooses empathy over proselytizing) find his sound evolving into an alternately rocked-up and quietly satisfying maturity.
  15. Hartford Courant
    80
    The simpler arrangements suit Isbell on songs with an understated but unmistakable Southern rock flair.
  16. Hot Press
    70
    Jason Isbell, formerly of the Drive By Truckers, releases a solid, sad, gritty new album as a solo artist.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. GaryM
    Aug 16, 2007
    10
    "The Devil Is My Running Mate" a weak ending for a strong debut full of the kind of confident, charismatic songwriting that just can't "The Devil Is My Running Mate" a weak ending for a strong debut full of the kind of confident, charismatic songwriting that just can't be taught" Are you F'n kidding me??? This is the best ANTI WAR, ANTI RACIST songs since Vietnam.… Full Review »
  2. Tg
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    If you can't find a few cuts on this cd that you really like, you just don't like music. Highly versatile w/ rock, country,folk, If you can't find a few cuts on this cd that you really like, you just don't like music. Highly versatile w/ rock, country,folk, blues, ballads. It's done masterfully instrumentally as well as lyrically(is that a word?)great wk from a hometown guy. NOTE: He's not ryan adams and it's not a truckers album!… Full Review »
  3. MarcosM
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    Amazing songwriting.
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