patterson hood has NOT left the band. jason isbell left the band after the dirt underneath tour two or three years back. his solo records are incredible.
i hear what youre saying about them not being country, but that's an argument that will be fought for all-time. southern rock opera is a two disc concept album telling the story of lynyrd skynyrd and life in the south. that was the album that dbt hired on jason isbell as their third guitarist. they only saw it fit to right a skynyrd tribute album with three guitars. however, if you delve into their back catalog, with albums like 'gangstabilly' and 'pizza deliverance,' youll hear their country roots shine through.
the albums you mentioned are pretty rock oriented. but now that isbell left, and the two other song writers have kids now, we're getting softer country diddies. the new album has very few songs with three guitars blaring, in fact, most of them ditch the third guitar (sometimes even the second), and replace that space in the music with multi-instrumentalist spooner oldham (session musician from muscle shoals), usually playing pedal steel or the hammond organ. bob, daddy needs a drink, im sorry houston, check out time in vegas, a ghost to most, and perfect timing are the most country songs on their new album. they may not be full-fledged country, but theres an undeniable country influence in their music.
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