Drive-By Truckers vs. Govt Mule vs. Widespread Panic

I saw this clip live and ever since I've had them at my #1.

 

ive actually never heard of the other 2 so i had to go with Mule , Warren Haynes has got some serious soul in his voice.

I know its not one of their OG albums, but deja voodoo is a hell of a work .

 

I'm really only familiar with the Drive-by Truckers, and I'm biased because they are one of my all-time favorite bands.

They definitely are not an Allman Brothers style blues/jam, band. It's a bit more straightforward rock with condensed, economical song-writing. Their lyrics tend to be pretty direct story-telling (often about the southern experience), so they don't really do the abstract/cryptic songwriting thing. As far as sound, I'd say they are closer to Lynyrd Skynyrd, but a rougher sound...not as polished (they don't have a "Sweet Home Alabama"). They have a good mix of rockers and acoustic/slower songs throughout the albums.

If you're looking for their best stuff to check out, you should focus on the trilogy of Southern Rock Opera (2001), Decoration Day (2003), and The Dirty South (2004). Amazing albums. I haven't loved their most recent stuff, as it's a little too full of on-the-nose, political slogan protest songs and less story telling.

Patterson Hood is the bandleader, and writes most of the songs, and they're great. But their second song-writer, Mike Cooley is their secret weapon IMHO. He only contributes 3 or so songs to most albums, and they tend to be fan favorites. Jason Isbell was even with them for a while before going solo, and contributed a number of really good songs.

Anyway, here's a few of my favorites

 

Outside of their first album, Space Wrangler, which is fantastic and reminds me of college, I really only know Panic from their live shows, which are all kinds of fun.

Govt Mule DBT are solid, though I'm not terribly familiar with them.