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In 2007, Drag the River had an infamous “fall out” at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, an album was slated for a 2008 release. You Can’t Live This Way is the aforementioned album. The band began playing shows again. Perhaps there will be more from the band in 2009, but who really knows. If this is truly the final year of the band being together, You Can’t Live This Way is their swan song, and a great one at that.

As far as followup albums go, this is a pretty good followup to 2006's It’s Crazy., which is still my favorite album from them. You Can’t Live This Way has an excellent combination of different musical styles, and it also comes with smooth transitions from one song to another. There are heartfelt ballads (“Tobacco Fields”), straightforward rockers (“Br00tal”), country-western swinging (“Lost Angel Saloon”)...even horn sections are used in the first two songs. There is, of course, the last track that really is just the entire album played all over again (even with alternative takes on songs). This is a trick that Drag the River has done with their albums before.

Chad Price and Jon Snodgrass, the two frontmen of the band, do an excellent job of songwriting, lyrics and arrangements on this album. Price’s “Tobacco Fields” is one of the most heartfelt songs in their catalogue. It has the same in delivery and impact on me, as did Gram Parsons' “Hickory Wind.” "Tobacco Fields" is just one of the great songs on this album. I truly don’t think there is a weak point of the album (but maybe the all-too-short “Pre-Post Party”).

This is definitely in my top five of the year. Hopefully this is not the last we hear from these guys.



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    Posted by misterspike on 2009-06-14 12:24:39
    My Score:

    I dragged my feet (as opposed to The River) to check these guys out. My incessant playing of their cover of "Portland" on the Mats' trbute We'll Inherit The Earth finally got me off my ass.

    Goddam have I been missing out. Halfway into the first song, "Death of The Life Of The Party" and I was hooked. Great record. I feel foolish for having ignored them for so long ...

    Posted by rob_rob on 2008-12-19 10:53:42

    i dare you to find a song more heartbreaking than "Caleb's Grave".

    Posted by chris3432453 on 2008-12-17 17:32:17
    My Score:

    hopefully they tour again

    Posted by Cos on 2008-12-17 14:46:14

    I fucking love this band. Even if all they really do is write similar sounding songs over and over again, I keep buying their albums. I have 5 now, one is a double disc. They all sound EXACTLY the same and they're all fucking great. I dunno--they're like the Ramones of alt. country. Don't break up guys--just keep swilling whiskey and playing Orange County on Valentines Day!

    Posted by nocigar on 2008-12-17 14:30:07
    My Score:

    This album is fantastic. Agree on the comment below on "Tobacco Fields". Drag The River rock.

    Posted by LinoleumMagazine on 2008-12-17 13:50:32

    Everyone make sure you click the star rating thingy so it get's rated. The stars on the comment don't count. oi!

    Posted by 10-4Eleanor on 2008-12-17 13:29:41
    My Score:

    Drag The River!!!!

    Posted by DarrenMcLeod on 2008-12-17 12:30:14
    My Score:

    Just a great, great record.

    Posted by baseball on 2008-12-17 12:23:40
    My Score:

    One of my favorite albums of the year. It's grown to be my favorite DTR release. Love Chad's songs on here. "Tobacco Fields" is one of the best in their catalogue.

    Posted by jonnyrawker on 2008-12-17 11:49:06

    Definately one of my fave albums of 2008. I've got a pretty big boner for these guys.

    Posted by LinoleumMagazine on 2008-12-17 11:04:06

    Tabacco Fields is also one of my favorites on this record. Such an amazing record and they put on one of the best live shows (even when it's just Jon and Chad). Please don't ever stop making music guys.

    Posted by party-animal on 2008-12-17 10:59:00
    My Score:

    This album is awesome. They've had quite a few "last shows" in the last year or so. I'm lucky I live in Ft. Collins and get to see Chad and Jon play the bars all the time. The whole album repeating on the last track is totally a juke box thing, quite clever.

    Posted by mattramone on 2008-12-17 10:14:19
    My Score:

    This album is great.

    Posted by danperrone on 2008-12-17 08:33:30

    i like it's crazy better

    Posted by TEF on 2008-12-17 02:41:04
    My Score:

    Read some of the positive hype this was getting by fellow orgers, decided to check it out, and was pleasantly surprised. Not bad at all.

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2008-12-17 02:06:43

    foco's finest

    Posted by xIxKilledxJesusx on 2008-12-17 01:28:15

    fairly good band but i just want another armchair martian and ALL record

    Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2008-12-17 00:44:07
    My Score:

    I've been listening to nothing but music from the all/descendents family tree for the past five days, needless to say this album has been getting a lot of play from me!

    Posted by yousurewearpantsalot on 2008-12-16 23:35:40

    Fantastic record. Love these guys

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