2001

In Birmingham they love the governor, but in the legendary town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it's all about the DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS. Their 2001 masterpiece "Southern Rock Opera" took these seasoned rockers six years to complete, and it only takes one listen to understand why. The combination of songwriters Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell execute an impressive 2-disc set of gripping, often tragic songs about southern living, while paying homage to fallen friends and the families of the LYNYRD SKYNYRD band that faced that tragic 1977 plane crash. The DBT's musical style implies as much influence from Young and Westerberg as Van Zant and Gaines, but don't let that stop you from picking up this bittersweet collection of mesmerizing redneck yarns, chilling vocal harmonies, and really good goddam guitar playing.

Picks of the litter, 2001: