Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Encyclopedia
Brighter Than Creation's Dark is the seventh studio album
released by Drive-By Truckers
. It was released on January 22, 2008 in the United States. Recorded during and after the acoustic Dirt Underneath Tour, the album features a more stripped down, and country based sound not seen since their sophomore release Pizza Deliverance
. The album's title is taken from a line in a Mike Cooley song entitled "Checkout Time in Vegas". Wes Freed
once again provided the album artwork. According to guitarist Patterson Hood, the band's decision on the name of the album was greatly influenced by the Freed's artwork. Hood also said that the album was recorded with much ease and did not require compromises. The album was released as both a compact disc as well as a double vinyl. The band embarked on a worldwide tour entitled "The Home Front Tour" throughout the entirety of 2008 in support of Brighter Than Creation's Dark.
"Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" is about Bryan Harvey
, singer-guitarist for a number of indie bands, most notably House of Freaks
. On New Years Day 2006, Bryan and his family were found brutally murdered in the basement of their home.
"Goode's Field Road" took many trials, recordings, and years for Hood to finish writing. Originally begun in 2000, Hood intended the track to be on The Dirty South
, but at the last minute the band switched the take for "Lookout Mountain" (however, the original "mannered country" version that didn't make The Dirty South can be heard on The Fine Print
). The band rerecorded the "raging primal stomp" version of "Goode's Field Road" as heard on Brighter Than Creation's Dark in one take.
"A Ghost to Most" was written in reaction to Hurricane Katrina
.
In Sweden
, the album charted at #37 on the official albums chart
. The album also peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200
album chart in the United States
. According to Hood's letters to fans, the Drive-By Truckers are exceptionally well received in Scandinavia.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
released by Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
. It was released on January 22, 2008 in the United States. Recorded during and after the acoustic Dirt Underneath Tour, the album features a more stripped down, and country based sound not seen since their sophomore release Pizza Deliverance
Pizza Deliverance
Pizza Deliverance is the second album released by Alabama country rock group Drive-By Truckers, released in 1999. It was recorded with high spirits in five days at Patterson Hood's house. The album was mixed by Andy LeMaster. The album cover art was created by Jim Stacy...
. The album's title is taken from a line in a Mike Cooley song entitled "Checkout Time in Vegas". Wes Freed
Wes Freed
Wes Freed is a Richmond, Virginia-based musician, "outsider" artist, illustrator, and actor whose works have appeared on the album covers of numerous American rock bands, including Cracker and Lauren Hoffman...
once again provided the album artwork. According to guitarist Patterson Hood, the band's decision on the name of the album was greatly influenced by the Freed's artwork. Hood also said that the album was recorded with much ease and did not require compromises. The album was released as both a compact disc as well as a double vinyl. The band embarked on a worldwide tour entitled "The Home Front Tour" throughout the entirety of 2008 in support of Brighter Than Creation's Dark.
"Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" is about Bryan Harvey
Bryan Harvey (musician)
Bryan Harvey was an American musician noted for his fronting role in House of Freaks. He was murdered with his wife Kathryn and their two daughters Stella and Ruby on January 1, 2006....
, singer-guitarist for a number of indie bands, most notably House of Freaks
House of Freaks
House of Freaks was a two-man band formed in Richmond, Virginia in the mid 1980s. Bryan Harvey played guitar and sang, and Johnny Hott played percussion...
. On New Years Day 2006, Bryan and his family were found brutally murdered in the basement of their home.
"Goode's Field Road" took many trials, recordings, and years for Hood to finish writing. Originally begun in 2000, Hood intended the track to be on The Dirty South
The Dirty South (album)
The Dirty South is the fifth album by Alabamian alternative country/Southern rock group Drive-By Truckers, released in 2004. The Dirty South is Drive-By Truckers' third concept album...
, but at the last minute the band switched the take for "Lookout Mountain" (however, the original "mannered country" version that didn't make The Dirty South can be heard on The Fine Print
The Fine Print: A Collection of Oddities and Rarities
The Fine Print is a collection of unreleased material by the Drive-By Truckers mostly recorded throughout the making of their albums Decoration Day and The Dirty South; a highly prolific period for the band...
). The band rerecorded the "raging primal stomp" version of "Goode's Field Road" as heard on Brighter Than Creation's Dark in one take.
"A Ghost to Most" was written in reaction to Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
In Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, the album charted at #37 on the official albums chart
Sverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
. The album also peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to Hood's letters to fans, the Drive-By Truckers are exceptionally well received in Scandinavia.
Track listing
- "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" (Hood)
- "3 Dimes Down" (Cooley)
- "The Righteous Path" (Hood)
- "I'm Sorry Huston" (Tucker)
- "Perfect Timing" (Cooley)
- "Daddy Needs a Drink" (Hood)
- "Self Destructive Zones" (Cooley)
- "Bob" (Cooley)
- "Home Field Advantage" (Tucker)
- "Opening Act" (Hood)
- "Lisa's Birthday" (Cooley)
- "The Man I Shot" (Hood)
- "Purgatory Line" (Tucker)
- "The Home Front" (Hood)
- "Checkout Time in Vegas" (Cooley)
- "You and Your Crystal Meth" (Hood)
- "Goode's Field Road" (Hood)
- "A Ghost to Most" (Cooley)
- "Monument Valley" (Hood)
Personnel
- Mike Cooley - guitar, vocals
- Patterson Hood - guitar, vocals
- John Neff - guitar, vocals
- Brad Morgan - drums
- Shonna Tucker - bass, vocals
- Spooner OldhamSpooner OldhamDewey Lindon "Spooner" Oldham is an American songwriter and session musician. An organist, he recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and at FAME Studios on such hit R&B songs as "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge, "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett and "I Never Loved a Man" by Aretha...
- keys, vocals