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The Dirty South
by
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The Dirty South Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

  • Summary: No, the Drive-By Truckers haven't gone all gangsta rap on us; the title is just one example of the southern rockers' playful side. Founders Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley remain, although their surrounding cast has changed a bit since the acclaimed 'Decoration Day.'

Top Track

Goddamn Lonely Love
I got green and I got blues and everyday there's a little less difference between the two. So I belly-up and disappear. Well I ain't really drowning... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. E! Online
    100
    Even though the production is slicker, The Dirty South is still packed with painful, well-illustrated southern gothic sagas.
  2. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Class warfare meets gangsta-rock.
  3. Spin
    91
    Both sucks the air out of Dixie legend and revives it. [Sep 2004, p.122]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Launch.com
    80
    A pleasure to examine at close range.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    60
    The Dirty South is relatively toothless in comparison to Decoration Day and the breakthrough Southern Rock Opera, rarely even building up that predictably satisfying head of steam.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. 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 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… Collapse
  2. 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 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.… Expand
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. [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 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.… Expand
  7. 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 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. … Expand
  8. 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 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.… Expand

See all 25 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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