Customer Reviews

Drivetrain

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

38 Special has returned with "Drivetrain", their first studio album of all new material since 1997's "Resolution". While the album does include some of the band's trademark hook-filled Southern rock, "Drivetrain" mostly points the band in an entirely different direction altogether. Here, 38 Special delivers a raw, dirty hard rock sound that borders between grunge and metal. Upon hearing the album first time around, the band's new sound may be (and has been) bewildering to some listeners. However, after several listens, "Drivetrain" can really grow on you.
Tracks such as "Something I Need", "Make Some Sense Of It", "The Squeeze" and the album's first single "Hurts Like Love" display a hard-hitting in-your-face style while "Haley's Got A Harley", "Quick Fix" and "Bad Looks Good On You" shows off a slight hint of the band's early days with a certain Southern sass and Donnie Van Zant's snarly vocals. "Hiding From Yourself" offers a style closer to the band's heyday period while the closing story-song "Sheriff's County Line" is a true standout recalling the glory days of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The only real weak track on this album is "Jam On". With an overproduced drumbeat, boyband chorus vocals and a corny "we all can change the world" message, this track is completely out of character musically, lyrically and stylistically for a band like 38 Special. It may have been better to have left this track off the album altogether.
Apart from this, "Drivetrain" is a strong album which shows that even though the band is older, 38 Special is still not afraid of taking new musical challenges. Most people (including myself) would love to see the band return to the riff-heavy ear-catching pop-rock that made the band famous so many moons ago. However, one must give them credit for trying something different.

I was excited to hear these guys were coming out with something new after seven years...I was even more excited when I heard the album. Not content to rely on what people have come to expect, they hit the pedal straight to the floor on this one...straight ahead rock & roll that loses none of their impact from the days when you could hear them on something besides classic rock radio. The new stuff benefits from the fact that Jeff Carlisi still writes with the band and is still friends with them, and the current lineup still kicks ass in concert, and they're not afraid to show off the new tunes in a live setting, MUCH to their credit. Some other reviewers are disappointed that the band didn't stick right to the "old formula" stuff...well, that's not how a band grows and it's not how a band improves with age. These guys took a chance and it paid off. Thanks guys for a rock solid effort that's just as good as the old stuff, and we'll be there when you come through New England this year with Styx! Now just don't wait so long to do the next album of new material!

What's good about it?
Despite its silly title "Haley's Got a Harley" is sparked by a fuzzy blues riff and some great slide guitar. It tells the tale of a woman liberated from a bad relationship who revamps herself as a bad biker chick. 38 Special convey the message that we can change the World without violence on "Jam On". Classic area rock riffs are combines with sing-along lyrics to make this a powerful anthem. A slow chugga-chugga riff is the center of "Quick Fix". We learn there's nothing simple that can satisfy the craving for this woman. "The Squeeze" is how the Government and corporations keep the working man down. It has a nice southern rock groove and catchy repetitive lick.

"The Play" is a powerful ballad that reminds us that the whole World is a stage; it all revolves around how we act in the play. Funky guitar licks dominate "Bad Looks Good on You". She's a good girl by day and a bad girl by night; guess which one he prefers. The super-charged riffs and lyrics of a police officer with a chip on his shoulder are easily relatable on "Trooper with an Attitude". Not too many people have managed to avoid this rouge. The subject of law enforcement is explored once again on "Sheriff's County Line". This multi-tempoed track is delivered in a story-like format; it's about forbidden love in a southern town.

Anything bad?
Nope.

Bottom Line
38 Special's albums from the eighties were like a brand new car right of the assembly line; the best production money could buy, crafted to perfection, and plenty of polish. Drivetrain on the other hand is like a restored classic car; built from the ground up, no time restraints, and done the way you want it. It may not have all the bells and whistles that are on the newer model, but it's something you did yourself that you can be proud of. When you really listen to the lyrics, you realize how keen the songs are. They're simple, yet smart.

Maybe I was expecting "Hold on Loosely",but it took me a couple listens to appreciate this album.Now I think it's great.Favorites are Hailey's Got a Harley,Quick Fix,and Bad Looks Good On You.They need to do a LIVE dvd with this stuff on it.

Never mind the past.... THIS is great Rock'n'Roll performed by Rockers....
I've been following the guys since the VERY beginning and I've been VERY disappointed with the latest releases.

Drivetrain just make me forget all about that because this just spells BEERS and more BEERS !!!!

Rock on!!!!

I was really thinking that this CD would be a return to the catchy, hook filled sound that 38 Special had up until two albums ago. Unfortunately, it isn't. There are a few really good cuts here. But overall I was expecting so much more. Looks like they have forgotten what made them so good and directed their sound to the Biker fans. Songs like Haley's Got A Harley and Trooper With An Attitude just don't do anything for me. I think they miss Jeff Carlisi's writing and playing style more than anyone will admit. Not much else to say except that this one was a disappointment. Just doesn't have the sound I loved so much from this band.

I REALLY ENJOY LISTENIN TO THIS ALBUM ITS GOT REALLY CATCHY TUNES ON HERE
BEAUTIFUL LYRICS BY THE LADS AND SOME SOUTHERN ROCKIN!
THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH IT IS THAT MOST OF THE SONGS FADE OUT!!!!!!
BUT 5 STARS FROM ME ANYWAY!

You know it is a shame that a great record like this goes virtually unnoticed. This has some heavy riff based stuff on it. Oh there are some "pop" sounding stuff but overall this rocks. I love this album and would encourage others to get it.

all i can say is, WOW!! do you know how many times that I have gotten drunk to this cd? It is great. they know how to rock and i seen them live and they did really great. best concert i have been to and i have been to alot.

Well, I just seen 38 specail here recently. They played in Martin Tn. They put on a great show. I loved the concoert. I had a camera with me but the pics that I took did not turn out. I was right on stage too. Anyways, I did not have enough of them that night so I went home a listened to this cd and I am still listening to it. This is a great cd and they are still rocking hard to me. I hope that I will have the chance to see them again in concert. Maybe then I can get better pictures.