11th album by alt rock heavyweights Drive-By Truckers, recorded during the same sessions that gave us last years 'The Big To-Do',  this being the ying to that more Big Rock yang. I guess where the 'The Big To-Do' was the rock album this one is the more laid back and, dare I say it, countrified one filled with murder ballads and soulful ramblings.

With Patterson Hood and his pained, wistful vocals at the helm, this kicks it off with 'I Do Believe', with its shuffle beat and catchy hook - a great way to get things going with a mid-paced song about all things Southern (Hood sure does paint a good lyric). Some lovely slide on the title track as we sit on the porch and kick back with some homebrew (or should that be moonshine?) and slide into some 'Go-Go Boots' (so to speak). It's a very gritty and lo-fi set of songs but full of superb stories that just engage the listener as Hood regales his tales with that southern drawl. "It's a small town and the word gets around, put your go go boots on" - Not since Green On Red were in their pomp, or at least when they were a going concern, did a band have such style and quality. I like Hood's style and delivery and you've just got to love his song titles as well, it always reminds me of Stewart and Prophet. 'Dancin' Ricky' - We all know one of those guys or 'Assholes' - we definitely can relate to that one.

With 14 songs and some pretty long tracks it's not for the casual listener neither is it where I'd recommend you start your Drive-By Truckers journey, but then again we've all gotta start somewhere. You get Hammond, slide, lap steel and acoustic arrangements and the Neil Young inspired feedback aplenty as well as Shonna Tucker taking vocal duties on 'Dancing Ricky' and 'Where's Eddie', the former being pure country with that wailing lap steel. Invest some time in an album like this and it's an absolute pleasure, something a little different for sure, a lot lighter that it's partner 'The Big To Do' - less loud rock but that's okay, the songs deliver and grow with each play.

If you're looking for a highlight at this early stage it would be hard to choose - 'Go-Go Boots' narrates a great Southern story as does 'Used To Be A Cop' in all its epic 7+ minutes - but current favourite is the last track 'Mercy Buckets' with its ringing guitar and more than a hint of the Stones in the melody which, again, is more than fine by me.

A sidestep by The Truckers but a very pleasing sidestep it is. Maybe more rootsy with a little less bombast but unmistakably DBT.  The depth and variety of songwriting can sometimes spread a band a little thin but on this occasion Drive-By Truckers get it spot on, now get your Go-Go boots on and head on down to the record store and get your fill of Drive-By Truckers.

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