Here’s my lead Spin that will run in the Creative Loafing that hits newsstands Aug. 1.

Sirens of the Ditch

JASON ISBELL

New West

The Drive-By Truckers have spent the past decade destroying stereotypes with Skynyrd-inspired songs that thoughtfully detail what it means to be raised in the Dirty South. A member of the Truckers for the past six years — but never the star of the show (that honor goes to Patterson Hood) — Jason Isbell’s solo debut proves less gritty but every bit as satisfying as his old band’s output. Veering away from the Skynyrd template, Sirens of the Ditch is a successful blend of power pop and Southern soul.

The lyrics mostly eschew Truckers-style narratives in favor of confessional fare. There are no legend-of-rock-’n’-roll tales here à la “Ronnie and Neil” or “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac.” Instead, Isbell engages the listener with emotive numbers like “Try,” a plaintive tune about the struggle to maintain a long-distance relationship. It features candid lines like: “You can’t give her loving on the phone/ You can’t make her stay her ass at home.”

Isbell might have left the Truckers to pursue a slightly different direction, but it surely wasn’t without their blessing. He makes that clear on the scorching opener “Brand New Kind of Actress.” The track features his wife, Truckers bassist Shonna Tucker, and piano courtesy of Patterson Hood. Also appearing on the album are keyboardist Spooner Oldham and bassist David Hood (Patterson’s dad), two legendary session men from the glory days of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. It’s the same studio where Isbell chose to make Sirens, a soulful album well-suited for listeners raised on the many subgenres that once fell under the simple name rock ’n’ roll. (Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit perform Aug. 18 at Crowbar, Ybor City.) 4 Stars—Wade Tatangelo

This article appears in Jul 18-24, 2007.