The Dirty South
by Drive-By Truckers
  • Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Aug 24, 2004
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 39
  3. Negative: 2 out of 39

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  1. mattmc2021
    Apr 10, 2021
    9
    Fans of 1970's southern-rock and 90's hard rock alike will be at home listening to "The Dirty South." Jason Isbell's guitar riffs match Patterson Hood's picture-esque lyrics to produce a Southern music saga. Mike Cooley adds vocals and guitar on "Where the Devil Don't Stay" and "Carl Perkin's Cadillac" among others that describe the culture of the Southern U.S. in the late 90s and earlyFans of 1970's southern-rock and 90's hard rock alike will be at home listening to "The Dirty South." Jason Isbell's guitar riffs match Patterson Hood's picture-esque lyrics to produce a Southern music saga. Mike Cooley adds vocals and guitar on "Where the Devil Don't Stay" and "Carl Perkin's Cadillac" among others that describe the culture of the Southern U.S. in the late 90s and early 2000s. With plenty of political and social ammunition, the guys take a slightly darker approach to songwriting when compared to The Outlaws and Blackfoot, southern-rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s. Including the ballad "Goddamn Lonely Love", this record contains phenomenal guitar work from Isbell. He takes the lead vocal and guitar role on "Never Gonna Change" and slower tune "Danko/Manuel." "The Boys from Alabama", "Cottonseed", and "Buford Stick" describe police corruption, drugs, prostitution, and greed surrounding a Tennessee constable named Buford Pusser in the 1960s and 1970s. Overall, the album discusses social unrest and folklore of southern American culture. While the production is better than previous works like "Southern Rock Opera", "The Dirty South" maintains the loose musical yet sharp lyrical content that is unique to The Drive-By Truckers.

    Numeric Score: 90/100, 9/10    … Expand
  2. Ricko
    Jun 7, 2020
    8
    Lyrically outstanding and packs a punch musically. I like Americana and I like rock but country related music usually doesnt do much for me. On the surface it is Southern Rock as you would imagine it and laced with a country sound but this album has an edge and is the best example of the genre I've come across. There are a mix of heavy rockers and equally heavy hitting ballads. The oneLyrically outstanding and packs a punch musically. I like Americana and I like rock but country related music usually doesnt do much for me. On the surface it is Southern Rock as you would imagine it and laced with a country sound but this album has an edge and is the best example of the genre I've come across. There are a mix of heavy rockers and equally heavy hitting ballads. The one thing I would say, and this is a common thread across all Drive By Trucker albums, is that it definitely a couple of tracks too long. Many of the songs could also be trimmed by a minute or two. Solid band with some great albums. "Tornadoes" is my personal favourite from the album.… Expand
  3. MeganG.
    Sep 24, 2007
    10
    The Drive By Truckers are one of the best bands out! I love every song.
  4. CodyD
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    One of the best Trucker CDs. I could listen to this all day and night.
  5. Hein
    Apr 30, 2006
    8
    The best Southern Rock since Lynyrd Skynyrd
  6. FredB
    Feb 9, 2006
    10
    It doesn't get much better than this. All three guitar players are genius. The kind of stuff the government should distribute to heal the masses.
  7. travr
    Sep 22, 2005
    9
    easy listen and rocking out just the way i like it
  8. TimK
    Mar 30, 2005
    9
    I think after repeated listening over the last four months, I like it better than Decoration Day... Isbell has really come on with ' Manuel/Danko' and 'Goddamn Lonely Love', and Cooley's 'Carl Perkin's Cadillac' is my new favorite song while Patterson Hood is still chucking punch-in-the-guts rock and roll that hits you full steam and makes you I think after repeated listening over the last four months, I like it better than Decoration Day... Isbell has really come on with ' Manuel/Danko' and 'Goddamn Lonely Love', and Cooley's 'Carl Perkin's Cadillac' is my new favorite song while Patterson Hood is still chucking punch-in-the-guts rock and roll that hits you full steam and makes you believe you're listening to the best rock to come down the road in some time... awesome… Expand
  9. [Anonymous]
    Mar 20, 2005
    9
    Like all my favorite music, I had to listen to it several times, then it set it's hook good and deep. Turn it up to 10 and rip off the knob. Best enjoyed with your favorite beverage on ice.
  10. jeff
    Feb 19, 2005
    10
    The Truckers may very well be the best all-around rock band putting out music today.
  11. BenT
    Jan 26, 2005
    9
    Haven't heard a bad DBT CD yet and this is no exception..Southern Rock Opera is still my favorite.....there is no other sound out there like the music these guys give us, include the lyrics and it's nothing short of genius.
  12. RonM
    Jan 26, 2005
    9
    once you put her on the floor one time, there ain't no turnin back.
  13. davidw
    Dec 15, 2004
    9
    This is definitely my favorite DBT disc. The production sound so much more profession and the songs have more depth to them. i see this as an album that elevates them to a new level. You really need to see them live to get the full effect on how good the songs on this album are.
  14. Dave
    Nov 15, 2004
    10
    This is a great CD, certainly one of the best of 2004. There is not a bad song in this recording in my opinion. Some of the standouts include Danko/Manuel, Where The Devil Don't Stay, Lookout Mountain and Carl Perkins' Cadillac
  15. JoeB
    Oct 9, 2004
    9
    Almost a sequal to Decoration Day, this album boasts strong songs from Hood, Cooley and Isbell. Initially, I didn't like it as much as Decoration Day, but it has grown on me with each listen. I got to see DBT in concert a couple of weeks ago, and they were great. The songs have taken new life for me after seeing them live. One note about the concert: I was surprised to see how big of Almost a sequal to Decoration Day, this album boasts strong songs from Hood, Cooley and Isbell. Initially, I didn't like it as much as Decoration Day, but it has grown on me with each listen. I got to see DBT in concert a couple of weeks ago, and they were great. The songs have taken new life for me after seeing them live. One note about the concert: I was surprised to see how big of a role Jason Isbell plays in the band's live show. He plays a wicked slide guitar.… Expand
  16. NeilD
    Sep 21, 2004
    8
    Another solid outing by these alabama outlaws. It seems that Cooley and Isobel are now equals to Hood's songwriting. Or is it just Patterson is running out of ideas? Great record nonetheless...
  17. AndyV
    Sep 11, 2004
    10
    Can't stop listening to it.
  18. tristramc
    Sep 8, 2004
    7
    I really like these guys. Along with decoration day, the dirty south is strong where southern rock always has been...that is telling stories and being immediately relatable. My Morning Jacket is the best of the new alt-country bunch but these guys are right there and i can't wait to see both a the Austin City Limits Festival.
  19. AW
    Sep 7, 2004
    9
    More rocking than decoration day. Some of the best songwriters around, especially Isbell. 1 point off for Patterson Hood singing two songs in that weird falsetto--sounds just awful.
  20. hulls
    Sep 5, 2004
    9
    a notch below 'decoration day' but grows stronger with each listen. still, dbts are the best rock band in america, southern or otherwise.
  21. BeccaJ
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    Very solid album from start to finish.
  22. ChaunceyJ
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    The most diverse rock from the South or anywhere right now. Go see them live to truly understand thier significance. Every song is different and they will evoke your every emotion. Highlights Carl Perkins Caddilac Daddy's Cup Never gonna change Godamn lonely love
  23. CodyS
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    This band just keeps getting stronger & stronger with each new release and they are developing an incredible canon of work and they rock hard and with great songs that feature great guitars, melodies and awesome lyrics.
  24. 2-LaneBlacktop
    Sep 1, 2004
    9
    Different from "Southern Rock Opera" and "Decoration Day," but it forms a perfect trilogy with those two earlier albums. DBT are still on a roll.
  25. markf
    Aug 31, 2004
    9
    Once again, Stylus doesn't have a clue. No, it's not their fault; you can just fill in the blank. This album isn't quite as hard as the last couple. It's also not as "new", so they must be "losing" something (besides band members.) That's a pile of Alabama horse pucky. This thing doesn't feel the need to overwhelm or entertain you, although it does do that. Once again, Stylus doesn't have a clue. No, it's not their fault; you can just fill in the blank. This album isn't quite as hard as the last couple. It's also not as "new", so they must be "losing" something (besides band members.) That's a pile of Alabama horse pucky. This thing doesn't feel the need to overwhelm or entertain you, although it does do that. It just wants to be as "honest' as a Southern rock band can be, and trust me, I've heard them all, and this is super-honest. I'm actually in awe of the songs the lower-end "reviewers" probably dis. There's about four songs which sound like the second coming of Woody Guthrie, politics and protest all in place, which push this album even higher than the last two, which I would also have given 9s. Come on, let's get some perspective on life and music. They CAN be a reflection on each other. They don't just have to be a drunkin' good time (actually this qualifies as that too!) This thing works on every concievable level, except maybe BS.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best Album of 2004
78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - 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. Pitchfork
    84
    The Dirty South is more consistent and cohesive song-for-song, its wide scope more public than personal.
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  2. cokemachineglow
    84
    Comparing The Dirty South to the last two Truckers’ records is like arguing over the merits of the first two Godfather movies. Either way you win.
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  3. Billboard
    80
    These are songs riddled with illiteracy, cancer, unemployment, crime and consequence, fashioned by the brutal pen of one of the most promising American songwriters of the last decade.
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