DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS play the Phoenix Wednesday (June 15). Limited NXNE wristbands/passes accepted. See listing. Rating: NNNN
No one sounds quite like Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood as he sing-talks in a Southern drawl through the uplifting opening chant I Do Believe on the band’s 11th album. But dark themes abound: the story of a small-town preacher who murdered his wife inspired both the title track and The Fireplace Poker.
The Athens band’s playing is sublime and soulful, and they haven’t lost their gritty alt-country sound. The influence of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and the band’s collaborations with Bettye LaVette and Booker T. Jones can be heard, especially on Eddie Hinton covers Everybody Needs Love and Where’s Eddie. (Bassist Shonna Tucker sings lead here and, boy, can she sing.)
Mike Cooley’s gentler contributions pace out the intensity. Consider the vinyl, which comes with bonus song I Hear You Hummin’.
Top track: Go-Go Boots