Plus! I don't know if he's touring with them, but they've got John Neff, the country's awesomest pedal steel player, also of Japancakes.

The country's second best pedal steel player, perhaps. Right after Lloyd Maines.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol16/issue10/music.maines.html

I hear ya, Chas. My appreciation for John Neff is largely from his work with Japancakes, where he uses the pedal steel to pull out these heartbreaking, though subtle, melodic lines.

Clearly the burning question here is whether Shonna and Isbell broke up.

Anyone?

Can someone please explain the appeal of this group? I have given their music multiple listens and I just don't get it. This is coming from a native Southerner and lover of "alt-country"/Americana/roots/whatever you want to call it genre of music.

Ok, I'll give it a shot, Murray. Much like the Hold Steady, DBT incorporate a higher level of smarts and storytelling into a genre of music that is (for the most part) known for aiming at the lowest common denominator. They do this while not straying too far from their Southern roots, or the idea that they are just a simple blue-collar rock band from Georgia. What Hold Steady is to down-and-out dive bars of the mid-west, DBT is to local honky tonks where the band is just playing for free beer. Plus they have an excellent relationship with overlooked icons of the era (see above post on John Neff), Muscle Shoals' influence on popular music and the tricky world of Southern culture, politics and myth.

What Ezra said. Also, they will rock your face off.

Also, Jason and Shonna have split up but not divorced. She is still wearing the ring. I know you were wondering.

Ezra,

Thanks for dropping some knowledge for me, BUT, I still think they are way overated. Give me Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Josh Rouse, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams (also overated at times), and especially Chris Knight. Born and raised in Kentucky and his songwriting will impress the hell out of you.

I didn't see the show last night ($20!) but the true heart of all DBT's best songs - 'Outfit', 'Decoration Day' - is Jason Isbell, who left the band amicably earlier this year to pursue a solo career. I remember seeing him scheduled to play late this summer somewhere in town several weeks back but now I'm not seeing it. Whenever that comes up, be there. He is gorgeous and amazing.

Ezra - The band is from Alabama, although they now reside in Athens, GA.

Last night's show was fucking amazing. I was worried about how they would sound without Jason's rocking guitar, but they're more solid than ever. John Neff got up from the steel pedal and filled in for some of Jason's guitar parts, and Spooner Fucking Oldham added depth on the keys. That is one cool old man.

Everyone in the band seemed happy to be there, Shonna especially. This may be addition by subtraction. Also, some new material and some cool new arrangements for older songs like Sinkhole. Everything just clicked. I was smiling all night, and still am today.

Grant - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are playing Dante's on Aug 3. Their new CD is out next Tuesday.