Critical Fatigue

Near the end of their great album run in 1970, Robert Christgau once wrote about a CCR that "ho hum, another Creedence album", while giving it an A- grade. Critical fatigue sets in for all artists. I'm thinking about Los Lobos, REM, Wilco, Steve Earle. Year after year good product, but the critical admiration starts to fade with too much product. I was thinking the same thing while listening to the Drive By Truckers Brighter Than Creation's Dark, their first album without Jason Isbell. On their last album, even the band sounded tired, and while critic's gave some praise it was faint praise. Surprisingly enough this is a strong record with Isbell, who went through the motions on their last album. The only critical thing I could say is that it doesn't Souther Rock hard enough. It's mellow Southern Rock, but good Southern Rock. I emphasize the genre because hardly anyone champions it any more. Kings of Leon, for sure, but Southern Rock seems to be a forgotten breed. Drive By Truckers are the best of the recent bands keeping the Skynyrd legacy alive. Will critic's bite at this, their best album since their before last? Maybe. But for me, it's a good addition to a strong library. Critical fatigue or not.