These guys play a free show in Steamboat next month...I've always had a penchant for Southern rock, alt-country and have been listening to these guys a bit. They're a surprisingly good oxymoron. Southern soulful rock with literate lyrics ironically playing on the sometimes less than charming history of the Southeastern culture.

I'm impressed early on.

They are pretty great. Isbell is no longer with the band so that has been a minor detriment but they have so much music out there....

Wasn't aware of the free show. I love steamboat. Will probably head to it!

It's Friday, July 12...Liz and I are gonna find somewhere to camp for it probably, even if it means outta the back of her car on a street somewhere.

I just grabbed a couple of Isbell's solo records but haven't gotten time to dig in yet.

Steamboat kind of sucks for camping. There are many pay to camp sites around but tend to fill up very rapidly. That are not many, as i am aware of, sites to just plop a tent down. Kind of annoying the one time we attempted to wing it and find places to camp there.

I can almost guarantee none of my friends will be up for the show so ill see you there!

New album, English Oceans, due out March 4th:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/drive-by-truckers-return-to-simplicity-on-english-oceans-20131203

This might be my most anticipated album of 2014. Really hoping they don't let me down.

Very nice. I didn't catch these guys live due to work. Would love to see them touring a new record. Their last couple were pretty damn good. Nice to see some sustained excellence with how prolific they've been.

I've only heard the "A Blessing and a Curse" record but thoroughly enjoyed it. What would you recommend to follow up?

Southern Rock Opera and/or The Dirty South

First things first. You should check out 3 of Cooley's songs from these records: 72 (This Highway's Mean), Zip City, & Where the Devil Don't Stay. These might be the 3 best songs in their discography.

I'd second The Dirty South. One of my all-time favorite albums, and for my money the best rock album of the '00's.

I don't mean to undermine Gods' Die, but as much as I love Cooley (he's my favorite songwriter in the band), you'd be getting an impoverished view of the band by only listening to his songs. Each songwriter has their own distinctive voice and writing style, and I've met people who love one but aren't convinced by the others, or like two of them but feel the other's dead weight, etc. You're better off just diving into a full-length. Cooley's "Where the Devil Don't Stay" is the opening track of TDS, anyway.

Oh I don't think he should only listen to those 3 at all. Just that they're my favorites, and in my opinion better than anything Patterson's done (and I really enjoy him as well). Listen to The Dirty South and disc 1 of Southern Rock Opera.

And Isbell's songs are great as well in Dirty South. I saw him live and he was incredible.

Danko/Manuel is awesome but I haven't found any albums I've heard sustain that sort of magic. I should give them some more time soon.

Have you heard his album from earlier this year? I've been pretty disappointed in his solo stuff based on how much I loved him in the Truckers, but I was (and am) pretty blown away by this one. "Elephant" might be the best song he's ever written.

Yes. It's his first record that comes close to matching what his potential could be. They've too polished and inorganic. Exactly what his music shouldn't be. His solo records have been produced in poor taste. However, his live show is really something to behold.

Agreed. His previous albums have all had some genius moments ("Dress Blues," "Alabama Pines"), but this one feels like a complete thought. And it's the first one where I'm not lamenting the fact that Cooley and Hood aren't backing him. Who'd of thought him getting sober and happilywed would result in better music, eh?

Been listening to this a lot over the last few days and am really enjoying it. The lyrics on a couple of tracks are pretty striking. As for Where the Devil Don't Stay...well. That is a fucking monster of a tune.

I pre ordered the vinyl purely based on the awesome artwork. Does anyone know if these guys still have good albums in them or is this one just going to sit on the shelf and look pretty?

I've loved every album they've made since Pizza Deliverance.

And according to a buddy of mine who's heard the leak (I'm holding out for a physical copy, 'cause I'm square like that), English Oceans is their best since The Dirty South.

Lots of Cooley on this one...which is excellent. I really like these guys and they're super consistent but it's been a while since they've released a no doubt great song.

I am definitely pumped that I'll be seeing these guys next month.

This one will probably end up being middle of the pack for me, but I really like it.