Southern Rock Opera

Problemet med de andre Drive-By Truckers plader jeg har hørt har altid været længden, men synes faktisk det giver mening her. For en gangs skyld er det lidt en del af charmen at det er for langt. Jeg kunne ikke lade være med at følge lidt med i plottet, hvilket er første gang jeg kan sige det om en "rock opera" på den her liste, og blev ret fanget af det. Synes også musikken var virkelig fed, sådan "subvervise-country-rock-men-alligevel-ikke" og spillet virkelig godt. Thumbs up, fik lyst til at høre Lynyrd Skynyrd men ironisk nok tror jeg at den her plade er meget mere mig end noget Lynyrd Skynyrd nogensinde udgav.

Surprisingly fun

Absolutely rips

There’s a lot of meat here. Nothing jumped out as amazing, but I enjoyed my whole way through this album and the vibe could match a lot of situations. You could kill 2 great hours of aux at a chill campfire hangout with this album, true 4 star.

I don't know what I was expecting. The album title explains exactly what you're in for and they deliver beautifully. A history lesson intertwined with many (MANY) mentions of Lynyrd Skynryd, all set to a country-rock backdrop. I actually really enjoyed this one.

Deze truckers pakken alles wat op pop-rock lijkt op. Elk nummer zou voorbij kunnen komen op de radio. Eigenlijk is het totaal dan ook knapper dan de individuele nummers. Ook omdat er binnen het genre vrij veel variatie is. Ondanks 0 likes van mij voor de nummers op Spotify, daarom toch een 4e ster.

This is an album worthy of being on this list. Like it or hate it. Don't like country? It still makes sense that it's here. It's coherent. It's interesting. The concept is easy to understand. Some songs are better than others of course but it all still works, and very well I might add.

Well, its been awhile, but I got an album that surprised this already converted red neck, honky tonk music lover. Do you think these guys love their Alabama heritage and Lynyrd Skynryd? Some times it's easy to lose yourself in the music but this album is full of some deep lyrical content. I do have some stuff downloaded by these guys, but I may have to give then their own spot on my Spotify account after diving into their musical history. I enjoyed so many songs off this album. I loved all the historical references and of course all the songs paying homage to Skynyrd and Ronnie Van Zant. Ronnie was killed in a plane crash back, in October 1977, after the plane ran out of gas. How the hell does that happen? In Let There Be Rock, he refers to Randy Rhoads, who also died in a plane crash when his pilot was being a dumbass. Angels and Fuselage, what a way to end the album. Gogdamn. And speaking of Let There Be Rock, saw the title, immediately thought of one of the greatest rock n roll singers of all time and got goosebumps when I heard his name! Bon Scott. Rock n Roll legend. But there is so much good with this album, I didn't even care it was a double album. This is the kind of album and music that I love to put on and spend the day on the back porch just vibing out. Grab my girl, put several beers on ice, fire up the bowl and just forget the bullshit in the world. The sound of some great music can cure a lot of things in this guy's world. I enjoyed this very much. I can't quite get to that magical 5, but this was real close for this listener. 4.5 Them Dirty Roses. Another great band from Alabama. Maybe I need to head down South next summer and see both!

Meg

This is southern soulful goodness. Some tracks sound more amateur (like 72) while others are accomplished hard rock with Alabama DNA (Guitar Man Upstairs, The Southern Thing). Fully enjoyable and I'd love to have seen them live! Also, A+ for their spot-on roasting of George Wallace.

Wow. I don’t know if I like it, but I am damn impressed by it. Can’t believe more don’t talk about this one. Don’t know if I’m gonna listen again but I’m so glad I did.

Standout Track- Let There Be Rock

Very good Southern rock. But they have better.

I’m tempted just to give this five stars because of all the snarky comments about how it “sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd“ but I’m going 4

This was pretty fire!

**Southern Rock Opera** by Drive-By Truckers is a double album released in 2001 that stands as a complex, nuanced exploration of Southern identity, rock history, and personal mythologies. The album is ambitious, both in its narrative scope and in its blending of Southern rock, alt-country, and punk influences. Here's an in-depth review of the album, analyzing its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also weighing its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics and Themes At the heart of *Southern Rock Opera* is its intricate narrative structure, which weaves together personal stories, cultural commentary, and an exploration of Southern rock mythology. The album is divided into two parts: the first focuses on the mythic rise and fall of a fictional Southern rock band, drawing heavily from the real-life history of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The second part dives deeper into the personal and collective struggles associated with Southern identity. #### 1. **Southern Identity and Mythology**: The album’s lyrics are steeped in a deep understanding of Southern culture, grappling with the region's complex heritage of pride, guilt, and rebellion. Songs like “Ronnie and Neil” and “The Southern Thing” address the tension between celebrating Southern pride and acknowledging the darker aspects of Southern history, particularly its associations with racism and the Civil War. The lyrics critically examine the South's cultural and historical contradictions without shying away from uncomfortable truths. “Ronnie and Neil” juxtaposes Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young, referencing their famous exchange through music (“Sweet Home Alabama” and “Southern Man”). The song explores the idea of duality, a recurring theme, where the pride in one's roots coexists with the recognition of the region’s flaws. **The Southern Thing** directly addresses this dichotomy, with lyrics like “Ain’t about no hatred better raise a glass” reflecting the complexities of Southern identity, refusing to be pigeonholed into a singular narrative. This song, like many others on the album, challenges the listener to confront these contradictions head-on. #### 2. **Rock Mythology and Tragedy**: The album uses the rise and fall of the fictional band Betamax Guillotine as a metaphor for the real-life trajectory of Lynyrd Skynyrd, particularly their tragic plane crash in 1977. “Angels and Fuselage,” the album’s closing track, is a haunting depiction of the crash, merging rock mythology with raw human emotion. The lyrics are visceral and evocative, capturing the terror and resignation of the moment with lines like “I've always heard that virtue ought to be its own reward” before the inevitable fall. This theme of tragedy is central to the album, highlighting how the rock and roll lifestyle often leads to self-destruction. Songs like “Dead, Drunk, and Naked” and “Let There Be Rock” explore the hedonistic, reckless abandon of the Southern rock scene, offering a gritty, unfiltered view of the excesses and their consequences. #### 3. **Personal and Collective Struggles**: Beyond the Southern rock narrative, the album delves into personal and collective struggles, particularly in relation to the South's turbulent history. “72 (This Highway's Mean)” reflects on the difficulty of life on the road, both literally and metaphorically, while “Zip City” tells a story of youthful disillusionment and frustration, set against the backdrop of a small Southern town. The lyrics are often poetic and laden with imagery, yet grounded in a raw, conversational style that makes the stories relatable. This mix of the grandiose and the intimate gives the album a rich, multi-layered texture that invites repeated listens and deeper contemplation. ### Music and Production Musically, *Southern Rock Opera* is a robust fusion of Southern rock, alt-country, and punk, reflecting the diverse influences that Drive-By Truckers bring to the table. The album's sound is gritty and raw, with a live, unpolished feel that adds to its authenticity. #### 1. **Southern Rock and Alt-Country Influences**: The album’s sound pays homage to the Southern rock giants of the 1970s, particularly Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose influence is palpable throughout. Songs like “Let There Be Rock” and “Ronnie and Neil” feature driving guitars, anthemic choruses, and a raw energy that captures the spirit of Southern rock. At the same time, the album incorporates elements of alt-country, evident in the more introspective tracks like “Shut Up and Get on the Plane” and “Plastic Flowers on the Highway.” These songs feature twangy guitars, slower tempos, and a more subdued, melancholic tone that balances the high-octane rockers. #### 2. **Punk and DIY Aesthetic**: The punk influence on *Southern Rock Opera* is less about the sound and more about the attitude and approach. The album was recorded with a DIY ethos, reflecting the band’s punk background and their commitment to maintaining creative control. This is evident in the album’s rough edges and raw production, which eschews the slickness of mainstream rock in favor of a more authentic, unfiltered sound. The production is intentionally lo-fi, with a garage rock aesthetic that matches the album's thematic focus on raw, unvarnished truth. This approach can be polarizing – some listeners may appreciate the authenticity and immediacy, while others might find the sound too rough or unpolished. #### 3. **Songwriting and Composition**: The songwriting on *Southern Rock Opera* is one of its greatest strengths, with each track serving a specific purpose in the overall narrative. The album’s structure is carefully crafted, with recurring motifs and themes that tie the songs together. Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, the band’s primary songwriters, have a knack for storytelling, blending personal experiences with broader cultural commentary. The songs are often narrative-driven, with a cinematic quality that makes the album feel like a rock opera in the truest sense. Musically, the album is diverse, with each song exploring different facets of Southern rock and alt-country. The guitars are central to the sound, with layered riffs and solos that capture the essence of the genre. The rhythm section is solid and driving, providing a strong foundation for the album’s more expansive moments. ### Influence and Legacy *Southern Rock Opera* has had a significant impact on both the Southern rock genre and the broader alt-country scene. Its success helped to revitalize interest in Southern rock at a time when the genre was largely seen as a relic of the past. The album’s critical acclaim also helped to establish Drive-By Truckers as one of the leading bands in the alt-country movement. #### 1. **Revitalization of Southern Rock**: By drawing on the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other Southern rock bands, while also incorporating contemporary influences, *Southern Rock Opera* helped to bridge the gap between the old and the new. The album’s success demonstrated that Southern rock still had a place in the modern music landscape, and that it could be reinterpreted and recontextualized for a new generation. This revitalization was not just musical but also cultural. The album’s exploration of Southern identity resonated with listeners who were grappling with their own connections to the South, whether through heritage, geography, or cultural affinity. In this way, the album has contributed to ongoing conversations about Southern identity and its place in American culture. #### 2. **Impact on Alt-Country and Indie Rock**: Within the alt-country and indie rock scenes, *Southern Rock Opera* has been highly influential. Its blend of rock, country, and punk, along with its narrative-driven songwriting, has inspired countless bands and artists who seek to explore similar themes and sounds. The album’s success also paved the way for other bands to take risks with ambitious, concept-driven projects. Moreover, *Southern Rock Opera* has become a touchstone for discussions about the intersection of music and regional identity, with its nuanced exploration of the South serving as a model for other artists looking to engage with similar themes. The album's influence can be seen in the work of artists like Jason Isbell, who was briefly a member of Drive-By Truckers, and Sturgill Simpson, both of whom have continued to explore Southern identity in their music. ### Pros and Cons #### **Pros**: 1. **Complex and Nuanced Themes**: The album’s exploration of Southern identity, rock mythology, and personal struggles is deep and thought-provoking, offering listeners a rich narrative experience that goes beyond simple storytelling. 2. **Strong Songwriting**: The lyrics are poetic yet grounded, with vivid imagery and relatable characters. The album’s structure and recurring motifs add to its depth and cohesiveness. 3. **Authentic Sound**: The album’s raw, unpolished production and its blend of Southern rock, alt-country, and punk influences give it a distinctive, authentic sound that sets it apart from more mainstream offerings. 4. **Cultural and Musical Impact**: *Southern Rock Opera* has had a lasting influence on both Southern rock and alt-country, helping to revitalize interest in the genres and inspiring a new generation of artists. #### **Cons**: 1. **Length and Density**: At over 90 minutes long, *Southern Rock Opera* can be a challenging listen, particularly for those not already invested in the themes or the genre. Its density may require multiple listens to fully appreciate. 2. **Rough Production**: While the raw production adds to the album’s authenticity, it may also be a drawback for some listeners who prefer a more polished sound. The lo-fi aesthetic can make certain tracks feel cluttered or uneven. 3. **Niche Appeal**: The album’s focus on Southern rock history and Southern identity may not resonate with all listeners, particularly those unfamiliar with the cultural references or uninterested in the genre’s themes. 4. **Occasional Pacing Issues**: The album’s pacing can be uneven, with some tracks feeling overly long or less essential to the overall narrative. This can make the album feel somewhat sprawling and unwieldy at times. ### Conclusion *Southern Rock Opera* by Drive-By Truckers is a landmark album that combines ambitious storytelling with a deep exploration of Southern identity and rock mythology. Its strengths lie in its complex themes, strong songwriting, and authentic sound, which together create a powerful and evocative listening experience. However, its length, rough production, and niche appeal may limit its accessibility for some listeners. Ultimately, *Southern Rock Opera* stands as a bold and innovative work that challenges both its genre and its audience. It remains a significant album in the canon of Southern rock and alt-country, not only for its musical contributions but also for its cultural commentary. Its legacy continues to resonate, influencing both the music world and broader discussions about Southern identity and heritage.

It’s a Southern thing.

I’m a sucker for southern rock and good storytelling. The killer guitar solos don’t hurt either. I’m definitely coming back to this one.

Wow some southern rock that is rooted in some substantial soil. Guitar Man Upstairs is a good track on side A. Wow, Three Great Alabama Icons is coming right at me. A really self aware southern rock album. Though it is really doing a lot of work to try and like rescue(?), be in homage to(?) Skynard. Which is annoying because it feels like you can't approach this by itself on its own merits. has to be a must listen to fans of the genre, and a great perspective piece. but not for me.

I’ve always known the name Drive-By Truckers, but never listened to them until now. I have to admit, I really enjoyed this album. It’s got that Southern and heartland rock vibe with strong country influences. The raw, gritty production quality really brings out the garage pub and bar sound of the band. It’s a bit of a long album, but overall, I found it really enjoyable. I’m definitely open to exploring more of their music moving forward.

Slightly long album. But I can kinda see my self listening to this again. Its not my usual listen but I like it

Although the quality is not very good, it was quite fun.

Admittedly this album has a high cringe factor. But for some reason I could also really enjoy it for what it is. Was not bored for the whole 90 minutes.

I found Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, Second Helping, pretty early on & was a fan right up until the 1977 plane crash ended the career of the original band. So when I realised what this album was about, I became pretty engaged with the way these southern boys were going to tell that story & I think they do a pretty good job. I read all of the lyrics as I was listening. In Ronnie & Neil, they look at the relationship between the band & Neil Young, who had effectively castigated southern attitudes in Southern Man(1970),which the band name-checked in Sweet Home Alabama. But they also pretty much recite the band’s history, in songs like Guitar Man Upstairs & Life In The Factory ( mentioning how they opened for the Stones & the Who). And they also look at Alabama’s history in four consecutive tunes - Birmingham (re Governor George Wallace); The Southern Thing (takes us from the Civil War & Robert E. Lee to Martin Luther King); Three Great Alabama Icons (George Wallace, Ronnie Van Zandt & Bear Bryant - apparently one of America’s most famous football coaches), a seven-minute spoken word piece; and Wallace ( a pretty funny song about Wallace’s reception in hell). I There are probably too many songs that relate to the plane crash, although I do like Shut Up & Get On The Plane - “Living in fear’s just another way of dying before your time” is a line I definitely identify with. Other standouts for me are Let There Be Rock, in which they list the bands they saw live without ever seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd - Blue Oyster Cult, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, who also died in a plane crash, & AC/DC - which ends with the line : “ With Bon Scott singing, let there be rock!”; Zip City - a touching tale of bogan young love; & Plastic Flowers On The Highway - a sad but universal tale that is all too common. I’m so glad to have been introduced to this album.

Southern Rock Opera is a somewhat silly yet really interesting record about the South, more importantly, the misunderstood and mysterious “duality of the South”—it’s a record in praise of both Lynyrd Skynyrd AND Neil Young, a record that reviles racism yet can sing the strange praises of a controversial and complicated man like George Wallace. Nevertheless, a lot of the songs seem lazy and un-memorable.

I like large parts of this and it didn't feel too long for a double album. That's enough for a 4.

Well this is a weird one. First few songs in an I think I've got what's going on. It's a southern rock band doing a concept album, a spawling, overlong bunch of songs that sound good while they're on but are pretty much forgettable - and I'm thinking of how they could learn from Alice Cooper's School's Out - a really tight, creative and varied rock opera. But then Southern Rock Opera kind of gets under my skin, and when it eventually ends I start it again. It's really nice having it doing it's grungy, funky thing. The lyrics take turns being smart/funny/demented. Excited I've found a new band to get into I look them up on Wiki and see this is an early album . So I dive into some of their other stuff, but it seems like they get more and more country. I liked this lo-fi, grungy Lynard Skynard vibe. I wish there was a version of Southern Rock Opera with better songs. I won't put any of these in a playlist, but I'll probably put it on again soon. Like I said - weird.

Good album. Southern rock-infused grunge. The album is lyrically interesting as well. I live in a northern state and the album challenges a number of the stereotypes we “northerners” hold against the south. Also, saw a review that gave this album 1 star and just said “I’m from Europe” bahahaha.

This is the kind of country album that would be mentioned in a pre-9/11 indie film, championed by the leading man (played by Ethan Hawke or Matt Dillon) while he’s driving, yapping about the poetic depth of the lyrics to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl (played by Heather Graham), who’s dressed like Stevie Nicks, not paying attention to a word he said, using the glove box to paint her toenails, and the scene is meant to add to the general theme of the film that Gen X’s apathy to American patriotism contradicts the fact that they are a generation emblematic of America itself. And I, in turn, would’ve seen this movie and ran out to buy this album, loving it before I even pressed play, and loving more as I actually listened to it. For a Northern chick, maybe I’m more of a country gal than I thought, and I’m totally okay with this newfound revelation!

way too good way better than expected

This one surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.

very enjoyable.

This album has character. Really great listen. Never heard of them before. So glad I listened. Standouts: The Three Great Alabama Icons, Days of Graduation, Moved, 4/5

a southern rock/alt-country kinda album about the duality of the South (esp Alabama) that provides some interesting descriptions and tales of Southern culture - generally through the context of Lynyrd Skynyrd… The lyrics/vocals and the guitars are what stand out to me, with a raw sound that’s both serious and fun, and often powerful. The 94 minute runtime is a lot to take it, but this is an interesting record to share the perspective of the good and bad of the South. Disc 1 is solid but drags at the end (should have ended with Three Great Alabama Icons) Disc 2 is the opposite - starts a little boring but the later songs bring the heat.

4.1 I thought for sure this was going to be 5 for me. I think DBT are one of the better bands in the 00's and 10's. But it is the same with most other double albums, some of the material sounds similar and gets repetitive. I like the concept and like the album a great deal, but not a 5. jason-schweizer gave it a 1, that's absurd, he should have to justify that rating

Really good sound, didn’t find myself getting tired of listening to it.

Solid. Of a theme. But lame. That being said, fun. Classic Dad rock. I can see myself jamming out to this in a dirty bar if the band was playing live after a few too many beers. No hate.

The song The Great Alabama Icons is a five star song. It’s hard to keep that level up for a whole two disc album. These guys come pretty close. I didn’t know this album before and am very glad to know about it now. I’ll come back to it for sure.

Great album Standout songs: Ronnie and Neil Dead, drunk, and naked Plastic Flowers on the Highway Angels and Fuselage

Authentic sounds. Started really well but for me tailed off a bit.

Good actually.

Like it more than I expected

Quite long, but some good stuff on there.

unapologetically southern rock

Reading through the reviews, I thought this was going to be terrible, but I liked it. Maybe because I'm southern...IDK? Nothing revolutionary or anything, but a fun listen. Knocking off a point because it is just too long and they talk about Lynard Skynard too much. 4/5

Ended up liking it much more than expected.

Kind of a trip and I didn't hate it.

Went in to this thinking I'd hate it but honestly had a pretty good time with it. Some cool riffs and great songs. Probably a bit long but not something I'd ever listened to before.

This album is so fun and would probably be 5 stars if it was just one disk

Although this is generally their most highly acclaimed album I much prefer The Dirty South and Decoration Day.

Paints a picture of the south from the band’s lived experience. Really good in that regard… interesting listening… as if listening to a memoir with southern rock accompaniment if that makes sense. I probably won’t listen again though as it made me feel kind of sad and disturbed.

Super weird but a lot of this was way cooler than I thought initially

So, this album seems like it's on here more for representing the cultural footprint of a region and sub-culture, rather because the music stands out particularly (although the music is quite good). More than anything, this is a homage to rock music and to the South. But with how both of these are consistently exemplified by Lynyrd Skynyrd, it makes me wonder why Dimey didn't just give us another Lynyrd album instead. Another thing this album is about is traffic accidents - be these on the road or out of the sky. I don't have all that much to say about the music. It's good, rock-solid southern rock. But there just isn't much more to say about it. It was nice.

I am a Truckers fan, but have not heard this one. Crowd funded! The discs are full of good Truckers noise, but what's up with the Skynyrd obsession? Truckers' songs are full of great stories - the Skynyrd frame just seems unnecessary.

Good solid background rock

Huge, and very enjoyable

If I could give it less than 1 star I would.

Love this album. I think I prefer The Dirty South over all. Southern Rock Opera is poignant and tough and poetic and brings the kind of humanity to Southern Rock music that pulls me in every single time. Plus I could listen to Patterson Hood's emotive, imperfect voice all day long. 4.5 stars

Favorite Tracks: The Southern Thing Ronnie And Neil Dead, Drunk, & Naked

The best rock-and-roll I've heard in a while and it's from the 2000s? With thoughtful social commentary from a (checks notes) _southern_ USA perspective? Hell yes.

Ça me fait penser à bonhomme.

Pretty much right up my street. It's a curious and rather long journey through a lot of subjects but all framed around Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that's fine by me. It's the sort of southern rock sound I could happily listen to all day long as background radio music but it doesn't really stick with me enough to be truly memorable. That said, Zip City, Let There Be Rock, Shut Up And Get On The Plane and Greenville to Baton Rouge are all excellent, but the last song really misses, it's got the potential to be a terrific closer but the vocals just don't do it, and it goes on too long. I think it's probably a high 3 rather than a 4 but there are songs I'll definitely add to my rotation.

Was ready to dismiss as southern fried rock but the storytelling and lyrics really are a cut above.

I didn't know what to expect having never heard of this band before. I was definitely not disappointed with this album.

Good album .

I know I'm supposed to love it, but... some great songs, some not that great. And too long. 3.5

The Three Great Alabama Icons is a fascinating listen - I really enjoyed it. The album is pretty long, but definitely good quality music. 3.5

I decided to listen to this while putting Christmas away. It was not actually a bad soundtrack for the activity. I was jamming to the southern rock. After getting almost everything put away, I figured it had been at least an hour, probably a bit more. So, I checked to see how close to the end of the album I was. When I looked, I was on Track 3. WHAT?!? Apparently I had been on shuffle. Not sure how many tracks I had heard. So, I tried again, this time in order, and found many of the tracks to be quite appealing and none of them to be repulsive. I do think it better to hear the album in track order, for sure!

Quite good 👍

Bardzo fajny rock. Podoba mi się. 4/5

Nyt oli yllättävä. Hurja määrä bängereitä ja cool ja orginelli meno ylipäätään. Inspiroivaa. Ehkä 2h on vaan pikkasen liikaa, eikä ihan kanna koko matkaa.

I fine album that uses the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd to tell the story of southern music and politics, and growing up listening to the music of the time. Given the subject matter it is probably DBT's 'rockiest' album, covering the spectrum of southern rock, hard rock and punk. slightly uneven so not an absolute classic but a fine album nonetheless

Some great, some average. A very bloated album that could have been thinned out.

Spicy

Expecting shallow rockabilly, but this is pretty good, kinda deep-south AC/DC. Did not outstay its welcome despite its length.

It's probably not what the band want to hear, but this was 'nice'. The music was good Southern Rock, and really pleasant to listen to for the whole 90 minutes. I gather that the lyrics are quite political, and intended to be thought provoking....but I just liked the music :)

This was an enjoyable romp into Southern fueled rock.

Some good fun listening to this, with surprising depth and history to the lyrics layered between good alt-country tunes. Will give their other albums a try!

This was a lot more enjoyable than I thought. A few great riffs throughout

Okay I was expecting to dislike this record but I actually loved it. The story-telling is incredible, and the instrumentals are top-tier.

Good

Favourite songs: Greenville to Baton Rouge, Shut Up and Get on the Plane, The Southern Thing, Women Without Whiskey, Plastic Flowers on the Highway, Road Cases, Let There Be Rock, Ronnie and Neil, Zip City, "Dead, Drunk and Naked", Guitar Man Upstairs, Life in the Factory, Angels and Fuselage Least favourite songs: Birmingham, Moved 4/5

A pretty cool album dealing with the tumultuous history of Lynyrd Skynyrd. A good story put to some good tunes. I particularly liked the moments of reflection on the rest of the world's impression and stereotyping of the south, an issue that is quite nuanced and I think paints a good picture well with its example of George Wallace, even though I personally find it a little misplaced. All in all, a good listen, pretty interesting, and a cool rock opera, as the title of the album advertises.

I’m not a huge fan of double albums and I still wasn’t a huge fan of it here but overall I liked the sound and vibe of this album. It felt similar to the black keys but with worse vocals and went on 45 minutes too long. I was also a lil drunk when I listened to it which may have biased me but the couple of songs I relistened to I still mostly enjoyed. It gets a very qualified 4.

I absolutely loved this. I didn’t think I would but then I just kept listening. Loved it.

"Anyone who's ever been on it, knows exactly where it's at" This album is all about the lyrics and the guitars. The sound is traditional guitar rock with the odd country-twinge. When it dials in the three guitar attack is a blistering force of distortion and harmony. The vocals aren't virtuoso or anything but perfect for the songs, raspy and hoarse with a heavy accent. Great songwriting overall, and all tied together through an exploration of 'the duality of that southern thing' and a radical act of self-mythologizing, projecting the band into the southern rock cannon in Skynard's wake. Though the valiant effort to articulate an anti-racist Southern heritage and de-exceptionalize the south as THE site of American racism sometimes comes across as mostly self-exculpatory. The personal songs and family stories are the strongest. I love Cooley's songs on this album: Highway 72's verses, Women without Whiskey's jangly guitars, Zip City's yearning angry vocals and squeaky squirrely solo. A bit too much of a good thing though; the double album drags on a bit even though the quality of the songs doesn't dip, it's a bit samey. Decoration Day would be my pick for a DbT album instead. It makes sense they've released so many live albums, as this is really a band you have to see to believe.

I liked the music and style, singers had good voices, the album told an interesting story / established a good atmosphere. I do think 90 minutes was excessive.

It was long. But I finally got to dig in to this band and really enjoyed it. I want more. I also want to discover more about the concept. Redefining and defending southern culture while also sarcastically roasting it is a fine line that probably gets misinterpreted pretty regularly.

Drive-by Truckers fan, so yeah I really do like this album, it does get a little long and a bit repetitive on the narrative and the music. So it's not quite a 5 stars and I do like some of there other albums more but it's probably the right choice for this list.

There is one really good southern rock albums worth of songs here.

A good throw back to 70s southern rock. Enjoyable, but they sure do like talking about Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A throwback to 70s Southern Rock and done very well. There's a few tracks that I could do without, I find most double albums could use some editing, but overall I was pleasently surprised. This is not a band that I would've thought that I would like before giving them a chance. Surprises are good.

Raw, over-driven, and honest. A great effort by DBT to present their version of the south, with a great homage to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines. Something else.

This was actually very great. I never heard of them before but I like their mix of southern rock, punk and country.

first song had me amped as fuck, it sounded great and i was ready for something heavy another genrehopping album ZZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzz it was pretty good all things considered. Days of Graduation was really good and Three Great Alabama Icons was really nice, it reminded me of H2O Gate Blues by Gil-Scott Heron that we listened to album #72

4.0

Well, I was all over the map on this one. Liked it, disliked it, loved it, was put off, couldn't always figure if I was on the side of the narrator or not. It's long, took me 4-5 listens to get through it, but at the end, I have to give a 4 with a caveat that it needs another listen to solidify whether that's right on or too low or too high. But it made me think, made me listen, made me wonder... I enjoyed the high-minded intelligent narrative, the spoken-word tunes stood out, and while some of the fraught vocal stylings sometimes approached grating on my nerves, there was an earnestness that always kept me connected and interested, even if it wasn't always exactly pleasant.

I approached this with trepidation. The band name sounded vaguely familiar but when I started the album, I quickly realized I was not familiar with them. I dismissed the first couple songs and wondered how I'd get through this double-album commitment. Then...Three Great Alabama Icons hit and I was enthralled. Wallace followed and I was fully on board. I spent the rest of the album by the river with my dog, which felt like a perfect place to spin this record. By the time I got to Let There Be Rock, I realized I had heard of this band, or at least this song, before. A lot of the songs and indeed the album would benefit from the kill-your-darlings approach but I'm happy to have listened to this and think I'll spin Great Alabama Icons again right now.

What could’ve been a absolute one-hour slog of a country album here is instead raised to a gripping sonic narrative thanks to some of the strongest lyricism I’ve encountered on the list yet. Though there’s a fair share of straight yokel tunes played for laughs, the dark heart at the album’s middle goes straight for some brutally honest evaluations of humanity through a Southern lens. I’m probably right in the target audience given my upbringing in the Bible Belt, but it was still refreshing to hear a genre that’s commonly associated with evangelism and exclusion warped back on itself for what honestly borders on spoken word slam poetry about problems which still plague American society today. Overlong? Maybe. On the nose? Definitely. But there’s a prescient sense of warning and prophecy wrapped up in this country album, and it’s an intoxicating mix I’ll venture no one else has come close to replicating since.

Not my usual but I must have been in the mood. The lyrics were cool and it had a nice feel to it. Will I listen again? Probably not on purpose, but I hope it finds me at random some time in the distant future when I've almost forgotten.

The modern world needs more guitar-driven rock like this. Cool narratives, beefy production and classic electric guitar, bass, drums 'n' balls arrangements.

Surprisingly thoughtful, with a good narrative throughline and fun tunes.

A bit long, but I am a sucker for a narrative record. And the songs are quality.

Keep my attention through the whole album but I never had the urge to hit the repeat button.

This one surprised me. I actually really liked it and will probably listen to more of them.

I enjoy a lot of the DBT discography and I have to say that this wouldn't be my top choice from them, it might be as low as maybe 6th or 7th? To be fair they do have a pretty big discography. This album comes right before Jason Isbell would join the band and put out 3 great records even Brighter Than Creation's Dark, made after Isbell left far outshines this. Seriously check out any of those records if you liked this album at all and are intrigued for more. This album has a cool concept, which is its biggest strength. There are good songs and a lot of really average ones. Listening to it in 1 sitting isn't fun. Best to do 1 half at a time. It's like a 3 or 3.5 for me but it's getting a 4 because the band has given me so much enjoyment over the years. I don't know if any of their other albums made this list, but its a shame if this made the list over far superior records by the band.

Very fun album! From what I (briefly) read about it and about Drive-By Truckers, it is a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a really good one at that. There are plenty of songs that could have been composed by Lynyrd, the atmosphere, crazy guitar solos and southern-style vocal is really well fitting into composition. Tracks like "Greenville to Baton Rouge" or "Birmingham" are quite on par with monumental songs like "Freebird" (well, maybe a little scaled down though). My only issue is that some of the slower song are getting too much into the country genre, completely losing the southern rock style, which made me really dislike the second part of first half of the album. But otherwise, it was really like a southern rock opera! Movie-like album, great work.

4 stars just for the first part: solid southern rock, heavy and with thought-through lyrics. The second part could be fun if you are a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan or enjoy general country themes.

Good southern rock, but long and unlikely to regularly listen end to end like The Wall or Fragile

Great music here, ambitious, grandiose, melodramatic. Much to query here - an obsession with Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Neil Young feud, the occasional refrain of ‘Yes but the north is just as racist’ and this peculiar revisionism of George Wallace (a poisonous, racist man who degraded political discourse in the US) - but does render an album to get your teeth into. If a little over long but nevertheless some quality south rock.

What's not to like about this southern rock opera? Maybe it's length. Great songs, great musicians and great lyrics.

Solid southern rock

Solid

*sobs in guitar noises*

Nice

Good solid rock and roll. It's long though.and they like lynars skynard it seems, which isn't a bad thing. Well worth a listen

Didn’t listen

I can really admire the talent that went into this this must have been a difficult album to make but it’s not really my style - 7/10

As someone who grew up in Alabama, I get real uncomfortable any time someone starts "singing songs about the southland." There are too many songs that glorify a past that should be vilified and a present that should be a source of shame. As such, I was really turned off by this album at first. Sure, the music was really good but all the songs seemed to glorify the south which is just... it's hard. About the time I heard the line, "the south will rise again," I wrote the whole thing off. But then I hit the track "Three Great Alabama Icons" - a spoken-word piece (which is usually a no-go for me) that laid out exactly my problems with what Patterson Hood calls "the duality of the southern thing." That's when I realized that Patterson and I share the same struggle as kids from Alabama. It's possible to love our place and our people and our culture and hate the history of hate that it carries with it. It's possible to love the south while recognizing and denouncing its racist past. It's possible... but it's incredibly uncomfortable. Do I think Patterson got it all right? No. He glorifies division, spends a lot of breath on his "rebel" identity, and points fingers at other places saying, "other folks are racists, too," which is a cop-out that I can't abide. But that's what it's like being from the south. Even when we agree on racism and that damn rebel flag, we struggle with understanding our modern, southern identity in the context of history. I think, as a culture, southerners have earned that struggle. We've earned the discomfort of trying to explain that southerners - all of us, regardless of our racial background - are a beautiful people with an ugly past. Anyway, is it a good album? Yeah, it really is. The sound is perfectly executed, the lyrics are (by-and-large) cleverly written and extremely effective at communicating their message. It's a solid piece of cultural commentary wrapped in some damn fine guitar licks.

I liked this ramshackle love story for skynnard a lot.

Raw and cool, like it!

Les des edants de lynurd ? De toute facon j’ai vraiment aime. Un bon rock tres sudistes pour un album demrock de 2001 ? 4

Love these guys. And a rock opera about the south... hell yeah!

Thought this ruled but went on a bit

Not sure why I never much listened to these guys before, living in or close to the South for much of my life. I kind of had a natural aversion to Southern rock (or just have heard enough of it in my life) and the red politics that are associated with it, so it's really cool to hear some that comes from a different perspective.

I think some reviewers here are missing the point on what Southern Rock Opera is all about. You should go back, listen to Randy Newman's Good Old Boys, and then come back to Southern Rock Opera. Just because a lyric states something (about the "South" rising again, for instance), that doesn't mean the line was delivered unironically, or from a perspective that the songwriter doesn't want you to critique. You'll appreciate this album more if you understand that. This is an amazing album. It's smart, lyrically and musically ambitious, and it rocks really hard. It's one of the best recordings of the past 25 years, and has really stood the test of time. Drive-By Truckers is the only band I can think of that ever really captured the musical vibe of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but it's even deeper than that. This is a fully fleshed out, beautifully crafted examination of what "the Southern thing" is, that sense of identity, ghosts and burdens of the past included. But they never hit you over the head with it. The message is nuanced, the tragedy of history framed through the smaller tragedy of what happened to Lynyrd Skynyrd. The storytelling is simple, but really impactful and frequently haunting. That final three song sequence of "Shut Up and Get on the Plane"/"Greenville to Baton Rouge"/"Angels and Fuselage" is ominous and heartbreaking. Fave Songs: Birmingham, Women Without Whiskey, 72 (This Highway's Mean), Zip City, Plastic Flowers on the Highway, Angels and Fuselage, The Southern Thing, Let There Be Rock

I'll have a double, please! It tells a story that I can understand. I suppose the other albums on this list also tell stories. But the vast majority of them don't do as much to keep you engaged and entertained as this album does.

so good!

Not sure what happened to my previous rating but I really enjoyed this just a little lomg

Country silver

Enjoyed this album mostly, it had a couple songs I really liked

Good, fun rock album

A country rock opera? I called bullshit on SF Sorrow influencing Pete Townshend's Tommy but am glad to let SF Sorrow take the credit for influencing this one. lol It's long so I only listened to it once and didn't have time to sort through the lyrics. There is a lot of good jamming and some good ole southern harmonies. Very guitar dominated rock but with messy long sleeve shirts rather than messy long hair.

Mellow

Looooved this! What a nice surprise. Not every song was great but the majority were really fun country/rock. Will listen again for sure.

Honestly, was very worried this was going to be a super conservative rock album, was pleasantly surprised.

Concept album for the agea

I was pleasantly surprised by this. I was a bit in and out of it, but the parts that punched through were really interesting. And kind of naive in an early 2000s kind of way? But the kind of heart in the right place, struggling with that Southern identity that I kind of identify with having grown up in the South. I will be listening to this again.

Sprawling, ambitious and yet I feel like the songwriting never tapers off. Essentially a meditation upon southern identity viewed through the lens of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash - feels like the hardscrabble obverse to Randy Newman's more arch and mannered 'Good Ol' Boys'. 'Ronnie and Neil' is one of the best rock songs I've heard in a good while. There's another track that kicks off by talking about seeing Blue Oyster Cult on acid, aged 14 - excellent.

4.5 stars. Really great listen. Sums up classic southern rock in a really neat package without being corny or cliche.

What a pleasant surprise. This is a lot better than I expected and much better than Lynard Skynard deserve.

A love letter to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Southern living. It does them justice and 'three great alabama icons' is a classic.

i kind of hated the first track and thought it boded poorly for the album but,,, i actually ended up really liking it. the three great alabama icons / wallace package was DOPE

Great band.

Bangerzz

Äger rätt hårt!

I like southern rock a lot, but had never listened to DBT before and was pleasantly surprised. Only complaint is how long it was, so only able to give it one listen. 4

An absolutely mental concept double album interweaving the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd with that of a fictional band. The heavier rock numbers are great and when this album clicks its superb but with 90 minutes playing time there is a bit of excess baggage to sift through. Could they have achieved their goal on a single disk 50 to 60 minutes album? I think so and it would have turned this solid Southern rock epic into a classic. Regardless, this is a hugely ambitious undertaking for band and listener. I get that it won't be everyone's cup of tea. But I bloody loved it. Well most of it anyway. 4/5

Im gonna keep listening to this one

I'm a big fan of DBT - not many people come close to their lyrics and the stories they tell. But for me, this album (like most of their others) contains just a few too many mid-tempo chuggers that all go on for a couple of minutes too long.

Loved this double album now adding it to my album rotation . Great guitar, lyrics, Vibe. Took me awhile to get into it but 1/2 way through the first album i was hooked.

It's good-humored blend of southern rock, ranging from cow-punk to Southern boogie, from Tom Petty to the Rolling Stones, from "the Band" to Neil Young. (7/10) Favourite Track: Zip City

a generic rock album at first but as i listened it grew on me and the southern twang combined with the story told with the songs makes it different from the rest

Wow this is great! I will definitely listen to more of there work.

Tenen aquesta manera tan peculiar i personal d'enfocar el rock sureny barrejat amb el rock alternatiu que tots els seus discos són inconfundiblement seus, a més que es fa difícil no disfrutar-los. Com a falta, sempre sonen una mica lineals, sense grans tonades ni singles... però és que ells són així

Muy bueno, aunque no he podido encontrarlo entero. Rock.

Different but fine

I never considered these guys southern rock though they clearly play southern rock. Just, decades after the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Jason Isbell was in DBT for a few years but was not on this particular record Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley are the primary DBT guys. Patterson's father is David Hood who was the bass player in the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section who played on countless albums recorded there in the 60s to the 80s. Also known as The Swampers. Here's a great playlist of songs the Swampers played on https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3fJ30XwyRO5kPAvvKzgkWT?si=0b1f4e56766a46cb

Terrific album. I had listened to this a little while living in Austin in the early 2000s, but I totally did not appreciate it at the time. The story of this album really captures the tension between the good parts of the South and all the bad. I love the storytelling and the connections to Skynyrd and Young. Will definitely put this and other Drive-By Truckers albums in my regular rotation.

Been meaning to listen to this band for a while. Been way into this kinda sound for a little bit now. I dig the concept of this record and how well they executed it

better than I thought, typical trappings of Lynrd Skynryd type of band, traces of George Thorogood.

A sprawling southern classic.

Does exactly what it says on the tin. Also offers up a glimpse to the duality of the Southern states of the US. BT: Ronnie and Neil, Guitar Man Upstairs, Women Without Whiskey

I’m not so sure about this one—but I’ll be generous cause it seems more enjoyable than I normally find this genre

Was big into these guys when this came out. prefer decoration day. but this one is good too.

Poderoso disco de rock sureño. Me apunto el grupo...

Wow, what an interesting project! I've heard the album these guys released in 2016, "What It Means" is such an incredible track, so I knew to expect some politics on here, and they delivered. The vocals at times hit me like a southern Mark Kozelek. I love the sometimes brazen, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, exploration of the southern psyche (including the racism), which is often emblematically personified by artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd. This album started so strong, with a handful of genuinely fantastic tracks in the first half. Were this a single album (rather than a double), it would get a 4.5 from me. But I can't deny that the second half didn't reach the same heights for me; very little stuck out on the back end aside from the closer. But still, this is incredibly ambitious and absolutely deserving of attention and a spot on this list. Favorite tracks: The Three Great Alabama Icons (wow), Dead Drunk and Naked, Days of Graduation, 72, Let There Be Rock, Angels and Fuselage. Album cover: Love this art style, and loved finding out that they maintained this on so many of their albums. I dig this one a lot. 4/5

Nice load of southern rock. Bit much a times

Aangename verrassing! Ruwe rock en zeer gevarieerd. Blijvertje!

Love this album, love DBTs.

maneiro southern

Like this. Was going to pass but thought i would give it a try and glad i did

Veryyyy southern rock. Dig the political vibes to this also.

This album surprised me. Very much an introspection into the stereotypes of the south and the " the duality of the southern thing." Thoughtful lyrics and some good jams too.

QUe ótima descoberta (pra mim). Rock excelente, bem tocado, músicas muito boas! A mescla de instrumentos country/folk compô muito bem o conjunto. Pra ouvir mais vezes

Bom album de country rock, jamais esperava uma opera contry rock!

Banda muito interessante e conceito do disco também. Referências a Lynyrd Skynyrd e Neil Young, referências claras. Vale ouvir os discos mais novos, pareceram muito bons

4/27 A country epic, at an hour and a half it drags on at some points, but it does draw a compelling narrative of life down south, growing up in the 70s and 80s, some history of the area and the groups that influenced them, all wrapped up in some hard, southern rock. Standout Tracks: Days Of Graduation, Birmingham, Three Alabama Icons, Moved, Let There Be Rock, Plastic Flowers On The Highway, Cassie's Brother, Shut Up And Get On The Plane, Angels And Fuselage

Fun southern rock

nice

Tell me you’re from the deep south of the USA without telling me you’re from the deep south of the USA

I really wanted to like this. A progressive Southern rock band, with echoes of Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, trying to do something ambitious? Let's go. And it does have some virtues, and there's much of it I like. But not a single track that ever transcends its influences. It all sounds so generic - decent enough, but nothing I hadn't heard before, better, elsewhere. They'd probably be an all right band to catch live, but the light of day is remorseless. 2.8

The singer sometimes sounds like Lemmy. This is kind of cool, even really good at some points. The guys is seriously obsessed with not being obsessed with Lynard Skynard. Anyway, probably a high 3, though not sure I'll go back. Loved the first track.

Sounds like a substack read out over a southern rock motif - as it says on the tin. It's well-written but at the end I'm not sure if I've been entertained? 3.4

Dirty

Not as bad as I expected. I do enjoy that American road rock sound every now and then. For an album that’s over 90 minutes long, there wasn’t enough variety to keep me hooked. But maybe I’ll even give it another listen. 3/5

In the past I've really tried to get into this band, I love honky tonk and americana but this just doesn't do it for me. It's okay but maybe it's his whiny voice that bothers me. Nothing is catchy to me at all, just boring all the way through. I don't hate it but it just doesn't grab me at all. I've tried listening to them before so I am going to eject from this album about halway through and listen to something I actually like rather than leave it just playing in the background. I would say a solid 2.5 for eliciting zero emotion from me but not being horrible.

I enjoyed this mostly. But boy did it drag on. I can also understand if someone doesnt like this. You kind of need to be from or exposed to the American south to get it

did you know there was a double album about lynyrd skynyrd in existence? neither did i. i am exactly the target audience for this album, but it's mostly a miss for me. the band is fine but they miss the one thing about skynyrd they can't achieve: a charismatic lead singer. they lean a little too hard into the good ol boy southern rock thing and at times it approaches kid rock if he were the head of a traditional band rather than whatever it is he was doing. i added "days of graduation" to my playlist, and if "plastic flowers on the highway" had better vocals i'd be glad to add it as well. 3/5

This is actually 3.5 stars rounded down because it's beyond way too long. There were some good songs but christ on the cross this couldn't been halved and still too long

22/09/2026 Another country album, another country band. I had hoped for more here, but alas, was let down. Spotify listeners: 425.3k

i get that this is a concept album and you have the interludes that are more talking and moving the plot along, but there are some real dead zones on here

Overall Rating - 2.83/5 (5.65/10). Forgettable Southern Rock. Nothing particularly bad (other than one track), and a couple of good ones discussing some of the history, but, ultimately, pretty forgettable.

Good enough for the background workout and it's long enough that it lasted the whole time but idk beyond that, would relisten a track or two in the future.

Fun, follows what the title suggests (much more towards the "southern rock" than the "rock opera" portion) sounds nice in portions but gets a tad one-note through the whole thing

I read a review that explains what was confusing me while starting the second disc of this album... The "Rock Opera" part of it is really just the second disc. The first disc is all setup and more "background" and not cohesive. I definitely agree Disc 2 is much, much better, but it just shows that it didn't need to be 2 discs, and that dings the "score" to me.

Managed just the first disc - any more would have pushed it down to a 2.

I’ll admit, staring down a 90-minute, double-disc rock opera about Lynyrd Skynyrd is intimidating, and the album is undeniably polarizing. This one’s a real head-scratcher to have on the list, it doesn’t really feel like an essential pick. It’s pretty bloated, the vocals are hit or miss, and there are definitely a few tracks that should’ve been cut. But beneath all the gritty, whiskey-soaked dive-bar vibes, there’s actually a surprisingly deep look at the "duality of the Southern thing". The band doesn’t dodge the messy realities of the region, hitting on the legacy of racism and the twisted mythology of people like George Wallace, all while laying down some great storytelling and killer riffs. Honestly, it hit way harder than I expected, though I imagine you’ve gotta have some experience living in the South to fully get it. It nails that weird mix of pride, frustration, and survival that defines the place.

3/5

Hard to rate this as some of the songs were much better than others. Reminded me of several other artists here and there, from Tom Petty to Skynyrd (whom they reference often), even the Rolling Stones. Jam band style, although much more amateur-sounding than I would normally expect from the project — but it works here. Overall 3.25/5 decent on the right day, but I can see not enjoying this very much on other days

Hur mycket kan man glacea Lynyrd Skynyrd på 1:11? Tror de slog rekord. Varannan låt handlar om att deras ungdom var chill för att de lyssnade på Lynyrd Skynyrd. Dock lite inslängd spoken word om amerikanska söderns historia. Lärorikt och lite småcatchy

The start of the first album was REALLY promising, had it me hooked instantly. Awesome guitar tone and overall feel in 'Days Of Graduation' and 'Ronnie And Neil'. Overall I felt like the first CD did the heavy lifting, though the more country-sounding tracks were my least favourite ones (like 'Guitar Man Upstairs' for example). If they had stopped with one CD, this might have sailed towards a 4, as I felt pretty satisfied and done with the album when that ended. Sadly the album didn't recover over the course of the 2nd CD. It just felt like more of the same, with nothing really standing out to me. Overall it became a bit too monotonous. Enjoyed some tracks more than others, but the sheer length of this, and lack of variety in tracks, will have to put it leaning slightly towards the weaker end of 3 stars.

There are some very strong opinions about southern rock music out there. This one is a little bit over the top with trying to connect with southern roots. As someone who lives in the south, they miss the mark for the general population.

alright nothing special

How many times are they going to reference Lynyrd Skynyrd??

It dragged a bit. Some clever storytelling songs, but just too long for me. 2.5

Sonically sharp and impeccably produced, Drive-By Truckers’ Southern Rock Opera succeeds as a consistently well-recorded showcase of stellar guitar work and ambitious storytelling, even if its sprawling runtime occasionally gets in its own way. The album’s high points are undeniable: atmospheric openers like "Days of Graduation" set a compelling mood, tracks such as "72" and "Birmingham" deliver memorable guitar solos and hooks, and the standout spoken-word piece "The Great Alabama Icons" brilliantly captures the complex political duality of Southern identity. Yet, despite infectious grooves on cuts like "Let There Be Rock" and "Shut Up and Get on the Plane," the record suffers from noticeable filler, with tracks like "Dead Drunk and Naked" and "Zip City" bringing down the overall momentum. Ultimately, while the mixing and mastering remain top-tier throughout, cutting the tracklist roughly in half would transform this decent, guitar-heavy double album into a far tighter and more impactful rock opera.

HAHA top comment zei: i am european. same het is gwn mid rock

dit is gwn wat ik denk dat ze in texas luisteren de hele dag

This band is probably quite good. Still though, at the end of the day, even their references lean southern rock and I am bluntly, not a big fan. I have zero bad feelings or animosity towards southern rock bands, it is as basic as it gets, I just don't favor the genre. I was, however entertained by this band and this album. So even if I don't favor a genre, it does not mean I disrespect it or simply dismiss it. For those who might favor or enjoy southern rock a bit more than I, I think this could be a hidden gem of sorts. So yeah, go for it.

I mean I like Lynyrd Skynyrd too but not nearly as much as these guys... I try not to complain about album lengths too much but this one would definitely benefit from some trimming. It's a solid Southern rock album and a nice tribute to Skynyrd but nothing exceptional. Reminded me of the Eagles at times. Favorite track: Ronnie And Neil

Yeah, it was fine. VERY southern states fixated, as you could have epected. Yeee and indeed Haw!

Interesting concept, but just barely climbs into the three star bracket.

A past workmate named Shoes really liked this band. Many times he advocated for them. But the guy could never seem to get laid at the time, so it was hard to rate his recommendations. Seems he’s sorted that bit out, so I’m sure Drive-by-Truckers weren’t the problem. There’s something very comforting about straightforward guitar-driven Southern rock’n’roll. It reminded me very fondly of the Beat Farmers. This album might rate higher over time.

Aight

Mochte den speech Gesang und das hinter manchen Songs starke politische Meinungen eingebracht wurden

Liked this vibe liked the guitars - liked the spoken word parts more than I thought I would when they began - not many songs stood out but I liked it overall together high 3

Started as a 1 or 2 but grew to a 3

Very tame, middle of the road rock. Not bad just mid 3/5

Decent guitar music. Not always my favorite, but I did enjoy this. The Drive By Truckers are in a weird place where theyre almost like a jam band, at least the way they tour, but they are pretty stuck to their roots.

5/10… roots rock / *2001

Listened before?: nope Days of Graduation - 4/5 Ronnie and Neil - 5/5 72 (This Highway's Mean) - 4/5 Dead, Drunk and Naked - 4/5 Guitar Man Upstairs - 3/5 Birmingham - 3/5 The Southern Thing - 4/5 Three Great Alabama Icons - 4/5 Wallace - 3/5 Zip City - 4/5 Moved - 3/5 Let There Be Rock - 4/5 Road Cases - 4/5 Women Without Whiskey - 4/5 Plastic Flowers on the Highway - 3/5 Cassie's Brother - 2/5 Life in the Factory - 3/5 Shut Up and Get on the Plane - 3/5 Greenville to Baton Rouge - 3/5 Angels and Fuselage - 4/5 Average score: 3.6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ love how they keep mentioning Lynyrd Skynyrd like 100 times while... basically sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd?? i mean, i suppose i'd rather hear these guys over Skynyrd but still

Not too bad. He sounded kind of like Kid Rock

I didn't listen to the lyrics very closely and I think that's the point, but this was nice background for my arxiv submission(!)

I quite enjoyed the playing on this album and I actually like a decent amount of Southern Rock. What bothered me is that I didn’t think any of the signing matched the strength of the playing / songs. Still not bad. 3 stars.

Live music at a country bar vibe, no outstanding song but no song thats bad. I like the theme and concept, the interlude "three great alabama icons" is cool, but im interest in american history and culture so probably not for most. I can see myself returning one day and listen to it like a movie. A 3 for now could get higher.

Rate: 7/10

An unhealthy obsession with Lynyrd Skynyrd and the way southerners are seen. Some interesting perspectives on former governors. But overall the production which is mostly flat, undynamic and dense made it a hard listen. It wasn’t bad but hard for me to penetrate.

Not my thing

actually not bad, just too long and a little tedious. really liked "the three great alabama icons" though!

2.5/5 I like their sound on some songs but the lyrics are kind of cheeks.

some real nice Modern southern rock but not amazing like Lynyrd , Byrds , Almans or others of the 70s , i liked the monologue tribute though

Southern rock. Not bad music but not exactly my cup of tea

This doesn't really need to be a double album, does it? You don't need a whole hour and a half to showcase music with the nuance and subtlety of a Classic Rock cover band.

Pre Listen: The album cover looks like something I'd find at a scholastic book fair, and the title fits. Never heard of them, but I am ready. No expectations. Notable Tracks: N/A Post Listen: This is most certainly Trucker music. I can almost hear the 18 wheeler's noises in spirit. I'm a bit low energy as of recent, and this album's tracks really blended for me, so rather than giving specific reasons on why this album was a 3, I'm just gonna rate it a 3 and leave it at that. I am not a Trucker. 3/5

I expected to not like this but it was pretty ok. I’m a little hesitant to jump into twangy country so I need to hear what they are actually saying before I made a determination but it sounded good.

Not sure how to feel about this one either. It’s not remarkable, but it’s not terrible either. I guess it gets a mid score for me.

Honestly didn't have time to get through the whole thing, but I like the Southern grunge energy and the open exploration of the complex legacy of the South.

This didn't need to be an hour and a half long, but I liked it quite a bit.

First, glad to see the Truckers on the list. Second, hadn’t listened to this one, at least all the way through, before. Quite ambitious! Interesting concept to tell your backstory essentially. Or at least that’s what it seems like they are doing. Musically, it’s good… but I wouldn’t say great. Enjoy some of their later work more. Also, the lyrics are really good and poignant in spots. I love the concept of the duality of the South. Having grown up in the South, I get it. Really want to give this a 4, but musically speaking it’s good but not great…a 3 Lyrically and concept was it’s a 4.

Надо будет переслушать но с текстом

Started with some charm, but became a bit samey as it went on. If this were condensed into a single album, I think it could be much better.

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would

It is good, but too long. 3.5 stars

Not bad but VERY LONG

Best Song: Zip City I think the message for this album is Lynard Skynard. If you don't believe me, just give it a listen. Lynard Skynard is mentioned in each song a good 780,025 times. I don't mind Skynard but I surely will not write a 90 minute opus to, what to this band seems to be, the greatest southern rock band in their lives. I don't have quite the same hatred for this as some reviews I read but I will have to admit it is rather stock rock n' roll. I can see what it was included and I can even see why some people may really like it but for me, it started ok but is just too long to keep the momentum. If they had shaved 40 minutes, it would have gotten a 4 but they didn't so a 3/5 it is.

Not bad for a country rock opera.

Big fan of rock operas so had high hopes for this album. Southern rock just isnt my favourite, but it was thought provoking at parts and undeniably pretty groovy.

Decent concept album leaning all the way into southern rock. I enjoyed the musical references to Lynyrd Skynyrd; several songs either use LS riffs or start to reference those riffs before changing it up. Favorite track was probably Shut Up and Get On the Plane. Didn't care for the vocals and vocal mixing in a lot of the songs though.

2.8

this was something. there is a lot of good here but the length of the album and the dedication to the concept was a huge hindrance

3*

Long, très long, trop long mais.. c'est vraiment pas mal. Le thème ne me touche pas vraiment personnellement et doit être plus adapté à un ricain. Au delà du thème, la musicalité est sympa mais redondante de par ces 1h30. Le rock sudiste ne m'a jamais interessé plus que ça. Et je comprends pourquoi ici: bonne vibe mais pas beaucoup de variation / inventivité à mon goût. Ça reste un album agréable à écouter si on fait des pauses pendant l'écoute. Je me verrais bien écouter ça lors d'un roadtrip sur les longues routes américaines. Quelques très bon highlights mais le reste est oubliable. 1) Let There Be Rock 2) Plastic Flowers On The Highway 3) Angels and Fuselage

Putain de truck (petite vanne) d'américain

I enjoyed this enough while it was playing. The guitar work is pretty good and it rocks, although not much really stuck in the mind

solid - good songs but sound a bit the same

This is going to be an interesting listen... I will be evaluating this both as an album and as a representative of what the southern US is like(granted, I live in suburban Florida, so my knowledge of these places is probably limited). A lot of this album is very mediocre classic "Southern rock" that was well out of the musical mainstream by 2001. They are surprisingly good at evoking the classic sound of the style, but don't really do anything particularly interesting with it. The lyrics go for poetic and deep explorations of what it means to be a Southerner, but mostly fail at this and end up very superficial. For some reason, there's a spoken word song about Alabama's history and former racist governor. The singer sounds incredibly bro-country, oftentimes reminding me of the local bar bands of the northern Florida coasts. While this album is not bad by any means, it is incredibly derivative. I don't think it does enough to transcend the Southern stereotypes and sonic constraints of its chosen genre, leaving it to essentially be a rock revival act that's not better than the originals. This is the #16 ranked album of the 17 2001 albums on the list. Other 2001 albums rated by me: Is This It(1/17)-4 Gorillaz(3/17)-3 Vespertine(8/17)-4 Gold(15/17)-1 Bright Flight(17/17)-3

I was really anticipating hating this, but was better than expected. A love letter to the South and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Crunchy guitar tones, strong hints of Sweet Home Alabama, with notes of Jack Daniels. Could do a bingo game with the southern references. Okay guitar riffs and solos, but no standout ones, but with some noticeably bad ones too. I lost count of the Lynyrd Skynyrd references - it's not just the lyrics, it's the overall sound. The album itself is not a rock opera in the way you might expect. It's vaguely a concept album, but not too on the nose, like Pink Floyd might do. Just a few monologues, and lyrics describing the duality of southern culture, with a focus on a love for southern rock. This duality which is discussed throughout the album can be simplified to this:- southern hospitality vs "The South Will Rise Again" racism. The exploration of racism might be a bit woke for some modern audiences, but for everyone else its quite interesting to learn about segregationists like Wallace and what it was like to grow up in such a divisive time. That said it mostly focuses on the more nuanced facets, and rock history, of a culture which is to often demonised for it's dark past. Enjoyable, but 2 CDs worth of it was a bit much. but if that's your jam then this is 4/5, but for everyone else 3/5 at best.

isso é um lynyrd skynyrd pra jovens dos anos 90 que queriam uma guitarra um pouco mais distorcida né no geral eu achei mei ruim, mas plastic flowers on the highway e cassie's brother me pegaram pra caralho

3.5

This was interesting at moments

"Southern Rock Opera" is a hit-and-miss album with a few gems. The best one being "Dead, Drunk and Naked". There are some great guitar solos on "Southern Rock Opera", especially on "Plastic Flowers on the Highway". As for the bad songs, they're simply forgettable. I'm not keen on any of the singers' voices; their lyricism makes them a bit more bearable. 3 stars for "Southern Rock Opera".

3 de 5 Aclamado por su ambiciosa narrativa y sonido crudo de triple guitarra, es un disco doble fundamental del rock sureño. Utilizando la historia de Lynyrd Skynyrd y una banda ficticia, explora la dualidad del Sur de EE. UU. para examinar temas profundos como la política racial, la clase social, el orgullo y la vergüenza de la identidad sureña, reflejando una intensa y brillante reflexión sobre lo que significa el rock de estadios de los años 70. A destacar: Track 2 - Ronnie And Neil Track 3 - 72 (This Highway's Mean Track 4 - Dead, Drunk And Naked Track 5 - Guitar Man Upstairs Track 7 - The Southern Thing Track 8 - The Three Great Alabama Icons Track 10 - Zip City Track 1 - Let There Be Rock Track 6 - Life In The Factory

Esta divertido por momentos. Creo que es tan largo que por momentos se siente monótono. Un poco me aburrió tanta refe a lynird skynyrd en lo personal pero entiendo que no soy de alabama asi que bueno. No queda guardado pero me alegra haberlo escuchado

This was a lot better than I'd expected, especially considering the 93 minute runtime. I especially enjoyed some of the historical monologues that really added some depth to the album. It's still not my style, but I enjoyed it which surprised me. Favourites: 72 (This Highways Mean) Three Great Alabama Icons Angels and Fuselage

Some really good songs hidden away but I could do without an ode to Bear Bryant and George Wallace

While southern rock is not a go-to, this was an enjoyable listen with interesting talking bridge sections

Cool concept. Raw, energetic country tunes. Too long.

310526 22:05 3

I was already familiar with this band and some of this album. I listened to some of it, but I'm not a huge fan.

Standard fayre. Listenable southern rock boogie.

Before listening, I had assumed Drive-By Truckers were an older 1970s Southern rock band, but I could hear a strong garage-rock revival and 2000s alternative rock influence, especially in the guitar work. The riffs on Birmingham and Plastic Flowers on the Highway were my favorites. At the same time, the album felt far too long overall. It often felt like “this is kind of cool” stretched on for too long without enough focus.

they keep talking about Lynyrd Skynyrd which is pretty annoying. A few decent rock songs on here though

I liked this album. So sue me

This is a tough one. Some solid southern rock but what’s up with the obsession with Ronnie Van zant and Neil young? Every lyric seemed to be talking about Alabama or a town in Alabama or some other band, or going to a concert of another band…or lynyrd skynyrd. I’ve heard of these guys but I’m not too familiar. I expect they have a modest but very loyal following. For me, don’t think we needed 2 discs, 20 songs and 90 minutes. 2.75

Did I google to confirm these guys aren't racist? Yes. Is the album way too long? Yes. Should they CHILL OUT with all the southern references. Yes. But despite all that, I found myself enjoying much of this album. Cut it down by half and I may be rounding up. 3.25/5

Light 3

The cowboys got their hands on an electric guitar

Better than I thought it’d be. Some really charming moments.

I like these guys, but this really was an entire od to the south, which myself I do not know what he's talking about

strangely enjoyable. but i'm not really a fan

Nice

It sounds like something a bunch of dudes I know from high school would make (complimentary), in an alternate universe where we're all from the south. But it's sooooo long!!! Coulda been a 4-star contender, but I must deem you a 3.

Didnt give it the most thorough listen. Liked some didnt like other. Very long

I was not expecting so much of this album to be about segregationist presidential candidate and Alabama Governor-for-life George Wallace specifically. It’s probably a better album than I’m giving it credit for with its intense reckoning with southern atrocities but this kind of alt country music has just never been my thing

This did not have to be two disks. The music itself is not bad, but it’s an overly long bloated album. Pros: this would make a good drinking game. Take a sip anytime they say Lynard Skynard or Alabama.

if it wasn't about semi-recent events with a little talking storytelling put in, probably woulda been a 2, but its a 3 for me

Grew on me as it went on. But it really did go on.

I originally thought I would like this more than I did, and kinda came around in the end (okay partially related to their politics). It's a rock opera, but besides two songs (the one leading into Wallace and then Wallace) I didn't really know if they were related. Wikipedia didn't have a summary! Glad I heard them though.

nice enough

Way too long. Too many monologues and spoken word over the top. I get the premise but it was a slog for me. Giving it neutral because unique.

Not too bad, however the album is very long.

This had several cool songs, but what is it w/ this Lynyrd Skynyrd fixation? lol In any case, it was fun, but way too long.

Neat album. Took me a while to get through but week's been pretty busy. Missed the next two albums lol. Definitely Southern and definitely rock, and the storytelling elements were nice too like in Three Great Alabama Icons and the first song. Dead, Drunk And Naked has to be my favorite, and the guitar part in Greenville to Baton Rouge was nice too. 6.6/10

Almost Skynyrd.

Hey, this album. I have it in the list of long albums that I intend to assemble pre-written reviews for. It's an hour thirty, apparently. Joy. I'm pretty sure I've seen this album cover before as well, though I didn't know it came from the 2000s. I'd initially corrected my prediction to be an indie rock album with a prominent bluegrass/Americana influence based on the artwork, though the feature-length runtime throws my prediction off even further. I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I'll settle for my initial prediction of bluegrass indie rock anyways. Here goes. Alt-country, Southern rock. I could be getting ahead of myself, but I think I was more or less on the money with my prediction. However, in all fairness the genre was in the album name. While this kind of music isn't exactly in my rotation, I can always get down to some good alt-country - particularly the stuff from around the time this album released. The main singer has a nice voice. Normally I'd drag this chainsmoker, raspy intonation, though he adds a good level of attitude and grit which is befitting of the music and is aided further by the competent songwriting. The instrumentals are my kind of alt-country with their heavy, atmospheric, bluesy sound, though I must admit that they're a bit of a one-trick pony. By the time I was reaching the end of this album I'd heard all that it had to offer about half an hour prior, with the album flat out recycling melodies and vocal hooks at points. Being stretched thin to the point of rehashing material does beckon the question as to why this album is as long as it is, though the stretches I didn't care for were ultimately tolerable. Overall, this was a solid, if belaboured listen. Book time. Tells a story about the rise and fall of rock star as filtered through Lynyrd Skynyrd references and variety of subject matters, apparently. "...championed by some as the best American rock record of 2001." CD 1 of this album is centered around dreams of becoming a rock star, and CD 2 is centered around the reality it entails, culminating in the death of the album's protagonist in a plane crash. Lost Highway signed the band just to put out a reissue of this album in 2002, but they were promptly dropped when it once again failed to land with audiences. Tragic. "...a masterpiece that stands tall next to anything in the Southern rock oeuvre-including that of Lynyrd Skynyrd." Wikipedia says this album was crowdfunded by fans, friends and family of the band. The album was also very well-received by critics, but that's about it. Yeah, I'm favourable to this pick. It isn't prominent or influential, but I enjoyed it and the general sound fits with where a lot of indie music was at during the time. Hopefully I'll come to appreciate it more if I ever get around to giving this album a second listen, though for the time being I'm content with just liking it. I cosign this inclusion.

The album is filled with Southern-rock musical tropes and reveals the state of the genre in 2001. "Three Great Alabama Icons", "Mood", and "Shut Up And Get On The Plane" are great tracks.

3/5 hella long in a bad way

5/10

This is a 9 or 10 song album squeezed into 20 songs, a 45-minute album squeezed into 94 minutes. In short, this album has a little fat around the edges. It especially doesn't help that the lyrics essentially repeat themselves across different melodies and rhythms. Every song seems to cycle between 4 subjects: the complicated legacy of the southern US., the worship of the Southern rock originals (namely Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers,) tall tales not unlike fisherman's stories of wild events out in the great Southern frontier, and the isolationist, reactionary culture of the South. This album might have a theme going through it. Some of the more specific subjects include the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, where a plane carrying the band from Grenville to Baton Rouge, LA, crashed and killed several band members; it's one of the greatest tragedies in rock history, and Drive-By Truckers somehow turn it into a grandfather's story about how this part of town was once all sticks. It's a very unique way of talking about the subject, I must say. Other than that, the album drifts between the same few styles - alt rock, harder-edged boogie, and of course, some good ol' Southern rock - but the band plays very well into their strengths, with powerful 4 on the floor beats and driving guitars serving up a lot of momentum. It's hard to keep an album interesting for 94 minutes, and Drive-By Truckers somehow managed it. The best thing they could have done though, was keep the songs that mattered the most and trimmed it down, because having 20 songs all about the same few things make few, if any of them, truly memorable. I will give it this: it's probably the best "pure" Southern rock album to come out after that genre's 70s heyday (not that rock itself was ever "pure," let alone the boogie, country and blues-fusion that made the Southern variety.)