ATO
Prolificacy often leads to inconsistencies. While it’s difficult to argue that the Drive By Truckers is indeed one of the finest roots rock bands in America Go-Go Boots is not its finest hour. Just one year after releasing the outstanding The Big To-Do the Athens Ga. group simply lacks the songs power and emotion of its predecessor.
The luxury for the Truckers is that a subpar release is still better than most and the group’s loyal fan base is always up for a challenge. To that end singer and chief songwriter Patterson Hood turns in a couple of fine vocal performances on the straight-ahead belter “I Do Believe” and the jazzy foray of “Used to be a Cop” while singer guitarist Mike Cooley fuels the two-steppin’ shuffle of “Cartoon Gold.”
Horribly underutilized singer-bassist Shonna Tucker does her part with a stellar vocal on “Where’s Eddie” but the album falls down through the aimless plodding of throwaways such as “The Weakest Man” “Ray’s Automatic Weapon” “The Fireplace Poker” and “The Thanksgiving Filter.”
The only good news here is that you know the Truckers will be back. And they will be better.
