drawing by Andrew Chalfen

Drive-By Truckers’ “Brighter Than Creation & Dark” is a 2008 album that is a lengthy 19 tracks! It’s been awhile since listening to it and had forgotten how long it was. It’s got an unfinished, kind of garage band sound to it, where it seems like the production methods aren’t the best. It seems like it could have sounded better with better recording practices. That said, there are a lot of good songs on here, with a lot of originality in lyrics/stories. There are 2 main singers on here, Patterson Hood and Shonna Tucker. They sing on separate songs, not together, on most of them.

Per wikipedia:  Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is the seventh studio album released by Drive-By Truckers, an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though two of five current members are originally from The Shoals region of northern Alabama; the group also has roots in Richmond, Virginia… The album features a more stripped down, and country based sound…Like many alternative country acts, the Drive-By Truckers record in analog (using 2 -inch, 16-track open-reel tape recorders). The band’s constant touring has developed its dedicated following.

It’s difficult to choose a track, but my choice is, “Home Field Advantage”, with Shonna Tucker singing.

Home Field Advantage

You ain’t much of a player and you ain’t playin’ for free.
You just know all the chatter and you’ve been chattin’ at me.
Now you’re takin’ me down with a home field advantage.
And you’re callin’ me out with a home field advantage.

You may have thrown me a curve-ball.
You threw a doozie at me.
You ain’t too fast cause you’re so tall.
You threw a doozie at me.
And now you’re takin’ me down with a home field advantage.
And you’re callin’ me out with a home field advantage.

You don’t know what to do.
Yeah, you’re lookin’ around.
Nobody’s at home and you don’t know the count.
Well, you break and run just to tie it up.

You’re takin’ me down with a home field advantage.
And you’re callin’ me out with a home field advantage.

Songwriters: Brad Morgan / John Cooley / John Neff / Patterson Hood / Shonna Tucker