They’re an American Band

Drive-By Truckers have a new album out called American Band. It’s phenomenal. It’s also political. In that order. Here’s a nice blurb from NPR Music:

Racism, immigration, gun violence, hate symbols and censorship all get their turn in the crosshairs of the band, fronted by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley. But the record isn’t driven by unfocused anger: It’s a poignant take on what it means to be an American in a time when uncertainty and fear are omnipresent. As Hood says, he hopes to “turn on that light in the basement and see what’s scampering so we can figure out what we’re dealing with.”

You can check out the entire album performed live here:

http://www.npr.org/event/music/496689769/first-listen-live-drive-by-truckers-american-band

And here’s a track from the album, “Surrender Under Protest” recorded live at Electric Lady Studios in NYC:

Here’s a slower one, with Patterson Hood on lead vocals, from the CBS Saturday morning show:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/saturday-sessions-drive-by-truckers-performs-what-it-means/

And here’s their full interview on the CBS morning show:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/how-rockers-drive-by-truckers-took-on-the-south/