Didn't think I'd say it after The Big To-Do, but this new one manages to be their worst yet. I'm not just being my usual negative self, either -- I love this band and was hoping they'd bounced back after TBTD, because all of their albums before that had been (more or less) solid all the way through. Since when does Patterson think something like "The Fireside Poker" is interesting? I'm afraid DBT's on their way out, quality-wise.

I pretty much agree. Apart from "Everybody Needs Love" there's not much on here that makes me want to listen to it again, and even that song might wear out its welcome really soon.

Come back, Jason Isbell, all is forgotten.

"Everybody Needs Love" is clearly the strongest track, I'm totally with you on that. It's pretty telling when the best song on your album is a cover, though...

I was a bit worried when they led with Used to Be A Cop - a Hood-by-numbers track. Still want to hear this, though.

And, Rads, I certainly agree. They all need each other. Him and Cooley should meet up at a rest stop up near Joe Wheeler State Park and just drop Shonna off like an old dog you don't have the heart to put down.

i couldn't make it through. they don't really even sound like complete songs.

Oh man, you guys aren't doing much to get my hopes up.

Also, I've sort of become attached to Isbell following him on Facebook. So much so that I'm legitimately excited for his new record.

I really want to just go hang in Florence and catch him at a random pool hall. He seems to be 1 step shy of a full blown tailspin. I either expect some kind of punk rock record, or a full blown 80s Who/Stones/Dylan joint with bad horns and black chick back up singers.

That might make me excited to hear an Isbell solo record. Remember when addictions actually fueled great art?

I've had the same reaction following him on twitter.

Same shit. His Twitter feed posts to his Failbook.

I've been pretty unapologetically a fanboy, so we'll see. I pre-ordered it, and I'm seeing them on NYE. Seeing them again in DC on a 2-night stand. Isbell in February. They still bring it live. A lot of these songs sound better live.

Go-Go Boots doesn't flow well from track-to-track for sure. Let's call it The Fine Print Pt. 2 and hope they take some time off before booking time at Muscle Shoals for the next one. Maybe it's time Stroker Ace cuts that solo rekkurd???

I was really hoping for pictures of girls in Go Go Boots...

/threadfail

As much as I'd like to give it a spin, I'm going to hold off any listening until I sort out 2010.
One question - how are The Cooley tracks ?

"Pulaski" is good. Of course, it's been around for about 5 years now....

I'd say the three Cooley songs are the three weakest songs he's written, "Eyes Like Glue" excepted.

I'm not sure it sucks, it's just real slow, and Patterson-centric. It's not great by any means, but it is better than what Patterson shits out solo.

I think Cooley really is fucked up, and barely able to collaborate on this. And Isbell is barely a memory for this band.

Also an unapologetic fanboy...however I really think the workaholic nature of this band is taking it's toll on quality of it's output. Time to take a break. But they won't.

Exactly. You gotta strike while the iron is hot. I think they are realizing their legacy isn't going to be the recorded songs (maybe Southern Rock Opera), but rather their road dog nature. They've built up quite a rabid fan base, and are playing good-sized venues, so they're going to continue to blitz.

That said, I'm glad they canceled the rest of their European Dates. I really think Cooley getting clean, dealing with families, etc has burned them out more than touring. I don't know how much longer they can keep this pace of 1 album a year+incessant touring.

Also, I'll add about Isbell--he's now put out 2 solo records. Hoping a new one will get him into a comfortable zone. He's still trying to find a fit methinks. They haven't been bad, but they haven't been top notch either. I kinda dig that he started his own label, and is putting out stuff like Joe Pug as well as his own material.

If they're willing to keep churning out pallid, lifeless rewrites of their dullest ballads they can probably go forever.

I think thier streak of albums from Southern Rock Opera to Brighter Than Creations Dark is as consistently good in quality as almost any band in the history of rock. They were bound to start releasing some turds. Probably a lot of reasons contributing to the slide but all bands do start sliding at some point.

That's cute, but it takes time to even record those pallid, lifeless rewrites and then bus up and down the east coast. It takes a toll on even the most mindless of music.

As far as Isbell, I think he needs someone to focus his songwriting. It worked best within DBT because he had to write a certain kind of song to fit within the context of the band. I think he just needs the right producer.