Twangville readers picked ‘The Fine Print’ by the Drive-by Truckers as their favorite release for week of September 1, 2009. ‘The Fine Print’ is subtitled as ‘A Collection Of Oddities and Rarities 2003-2008’ and it is just that. A collection of previously unreleased tunes from an especially fruitful time in DBT history. The smattering of songs includes 4 covers most notably Tom Petty’s “Rebels” and Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” which happens to have been Shonna Tuckers first at-bat as a lead vocalist. This record is proof of the Drive-by Truckers rock-n-roll sainthood in that they can put together an impressive album without even trying. If this is what they consider putting out in an off year where Patterson Hood is doing his own thing then I can’t wait to hear what they’ve got cooking when they bring back Mike Cooley and the rest of the gang. Of course, hearing Jason Isbell back in the fray is an added bonus. I was caught off guard by ‘The Fine Print’. Maybe it has to do with the fact that 7 of the 12 songs where a direct result of The Dirty South era, a personal favorite time in DBT history. Don’t let the title fool you. This record fits in with just about any of their previous recordings and is a must have for any Drive-by Trucker fan. [★★★★★/4.5 — Tom Osborne]
For more, be sure and check out Todd’s full review of ‘The Fine Print’.
About the author: Washington, D.C. area creative by day. Music is my muse. I host Twangville’s weekly Readers‘ Pick.