Drive-by Truckers A Blessing And A Curse | CD

Personnel: Jason Isbell (guitar, E-bow, Wurlitzer organ); David Barbe (guitar, piano); Mike Cooley (guitar).Audio Mixers: David Barbe; John Agnello.Photographer: Danny Clinch.The Drive-By Truckers have been widely acclaimed for their Southern-bred, salt-of-the-earth roots rock, and rightly so. With their gritty approach, memorable songs, and simultaneously wry and reverential take on the South, the band is something of a Lynyrd Skynyrd for the indie-rock set.The band's 2006 release, A BLESSING AND A CURSE, is one of their most focused and streamlined recordings, paring the fat for an 11-track set that has the Truckers doing what they do best. Whether on Stones-influenced jams ("Aftermath USA"), drowsy Neil Young-like numbers ("Goodbye"), or mesmerizing minor-chord rockers that recall '80s college radio ("Easy on Yourself"), the Truckers don't hide their influences. Yet they also work those influences into a classic rock aesthetic that is as well-crafted as it is enjoyable. Released: 4/