Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lightning Rod Records
• ASIN: B001OSRIVQ
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,979 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 release. Isbell is a former member of the Drive-By Truckers and this is his second solo release. The album was co-produced by Isbell and his new band The 400 Unit with Matt Pence. The album was recorded at the renowned Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. Isbell, who is following in the tradition of American songwriters who have recorded in North Alabama. Much like Arthur Alexander, Eddie Hinton and Spooner Oldham, Isbell mixes a soulful vocal style with songs that are passionate and unrepentant in their sense of place and direct in their stubborn Southerness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who does #2 work for?, March 6, 2009

By 

Benjamin Mackie "Ben" (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Audio CD)

Jason Isbell, that's who. This album is a ridiculously polished follow up to Sirens of the Ditch. If you like straightforward Rock with Soul, then this album is for you. After the first few listens, Sirens was still a notch ahead of this record. Songs like "Dress Blues" and "In A Razor Town" will probably never be topped, but this album as a whole has since gone on to suprass Sirens by leaps and bounds. This album has some nice familiarity in it with guitar driven songs like "Good" but also has some unique melodic moments with "Soldiers Get Strange" and "Streetlights". This record has a lot of layers and textures from the intro percussion and dobro-esque acoustic slide guitar of Seven Mile Island" to the horn and soul drenched "No Choice In The Matter". I have been spinning this disc since before it was released and will probably remain a mainstay in my repertoire for years to come. Enjoy.

I also saw the 400 Unit last week for the third time, and they DO NOT disappoint.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Sophomore Slump Here!!, February 20, 2009

By 

D. H. Harmon "deano26" (Pomaria, SC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Audio CD)

A solid effort. I don't know if its because I've been clamoring for more music after "Sirens of the Ditch" release, or that its that good a record. I got it Tuesday, it hasn't left my CD player yet. From "Seven Mile Island," to "However Long," to "Streetlights," this is no DBT sounding album. Pure, Southern Soul and solid Rock music. Not guitar driven, as the Drive-By records were, but each song has its own strong point. I like the addition of horns and keys from time to time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So glad to see Jason moving in this direction, March 26, 2009

By 

Joshua L. Waters (Mississippi) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit (MP3 Download)

One of my favorite bands for a long time was the Drive-By Truckers and I had the priviledge of seeing them live many times. I always loved Jason in that band. When he decided to go solo I was deservedly concerned. His first cd, Sirens of the Ditch, wasn't one of my favorites at all but now with the 400 Unit I am extremely happy.
He has gone back to the type of music he wrote while he was in the truckers but I'd say with way more emotion and maturity.

This is a fantastic cd and I'd recommend it to anyone. You can truly listen to it from one end to the other, over and over.