Though Drive-By Truckers did back-up duties for both Bettye LaVette and Booker T. Jones on late-career releases from the R&B vets (more on LaVette’s latest coming this Sunday), for reasons now unknown I didn’t think to dig deeper into the Southern band’s own body of work.

But a few weeks back, I heard “Birthday Boy,” taken from their latest album, The Big To-Do, and knew I had to begin making amends. I love the track’s ramshackle feel, even if it is about a lady of the evening working hard for the money. Anyone know what is it about Athens, Georgia, that seems to birth so many good tunes?

Hear here:

Snag a free download of Drive-By Truckers – “Birthday Boy” via RCRD LBL.