Ken's Top 10 of 2014 - #10: Drive-By Truckers - English Oceans

Jeff didn't exactly rave about this album earlier this year, and that's ok. Drive-By Truckers really have 2 reactions: You either don't like them or you're obsessed with them. I fall into the obsessed category. English Oceans is their first release with a slightly retooled line up, which has truly revitalized the band. It also has songwriting duties split evenly between Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley. Cooley overcame a writing dry spell in time to record this album. DBT are the type of band that disappoints you when they release an album that is merely good. English Oceans is great. 

It also marks a slight change in sound. After 18 years, they've slowed down a tad, from rambunctious to frisky. They've also stopped playing 3 hour marathon shows and are now stopping around 2. Going on almost 2 decades, that works just about perfectly.