Recent times have been especially prolific for Athens, Georgia’s Drive By Truckers. Since 2003’s Decoration Day, they’ve released three further albums of their Southern blend of country and R&B-influenced rock, backed Bettye LaVette and Booker T Jones on their most recent records, and spawned the solo career of principal member Patterson Hood.
It’s typical of this band, then, to approach the potential stumbling block of a rarities collection in a more conscientious manner than many might. Rather than release a collection of odds’n’sods, the DBT’s opted to revisit archive recordings, polishing up rough cuts and applying finishing touches to neglected songs.
Also, unusually for this type of release, The Fine Print works well as an album in its own right. It starts forcefully with George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues, in which the Truckers plead with Jones not to risk his life by talking on his mobile while driving. If that sounds bizarre, it’s indicative of the dark wit that informs much of the lyrical content of the album. Elsewhere, The Great Car Dealer War echoes later Springsteen, while covers of the likes of Tom T Hall and Warren Zevon are handled well. Fans will not be disappointed.
