“The Driver” reminded me of the song “The Rapture” by Blondie. Cooley’s guitar solo emitted a sad lonely wail, and during certain parts Hood headbanged to the rhythm of his own guitar. The second song was the first track off the new album called “The Driver.” Hood seemed like he was chanting the lyrics at times. Guitarist/Singer Patterson Hood seemed happy that he got to play more personal music from their new album Welcome to Club XIII. Bass player, Bobby Matt Patton, had a smile on his face from ear to ear as they took the stage, and it didn’t leave for the rest of the night. Jay Gonzalez made his guitar sound like a fiddle, injecting a little country-music vibe into the first song. The band kicked off the show with “Maria’s Awful Disclosure,” a song that featured big guitars right out of the gate. The Drive-By Truckers’ set filled with great music, heartfelt moments, and a whole lot of rock and roll. While Cilker has the potential to stand out in the crowded singer-songwriter universe, she needs to bring a more unique sound to the table. Her country twang, talented guitar playing, and heartfelt lyrics were appreciated by the audience, but her melodies and overall sound were unoriginal. Overall, Cilker’s performance was good, but not groundbreaking. Her songs were filled with lyrical references to the Columbia River, which she grew up near. Cilker’s song, “Kevin Johnson,” had a Bob Dylan-esque feel, with spiritual references in the lyrics and harmonica playing. While her voice was impressive and her guitarist’s picking skills were excellent, the music itself wasn’t quite bold enough to stand out.Ĭilker’s second song showcased her guitarist’s impressive soloing skills and the singer’s country-style voice. Accompanied by her guitarist, Cilker’s first song, “The River,” had a distinct country twang and was reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Opening act Margo Cilker took the stage dressed in black denim and a charcoal t-shirt. Patterson Hood and bandmates performed to a slightly subdued but appreciative crowd, and put their rock music prowess on display, playing their tunes with a little more fuzz and a little more rock than they come out sounding on their albums. Last Wednesday night, March 15th, the average age of a Canopy Club audience member shot up to about 47, and it filled up with mostly men who were there to take in the personal and political musical stylings of alt-country act Drive-By Truckers.

Hal 9000 tshirt