Eleven brilliant Southern rock albums that need to be in your collection

How can you describe Southern rock? Some critics put an accent on rock, others underline the influence of social aspects, but, whatever the case is, as with any other rock music genre, the musical palette within southern rock is much wider than just the sound of dual electric guitars and a hard rhythm.

And yes, there is a definite influence of country and folk music (southern style), but there is that of blues, jazz, and soul (again, southern style), even prog rock is there too, and social elements that stem from the southern background of many of the musicians involved is surely present too.

But whatever the case is, Southern rock has its sound and feel, whether it is full-throttle rocking or laid back, only seemingly simple or mind-blowingly complex. In any case, the choices for your collection are both deep and wide, but these eleven should find their place there.

Elven Southern Rock albums that are unbiasedly great

The Band - The Band (1969)

Is this all-around, timeless classic a Southern rock record? Probably not, but it presents all the musical elements that other prominent Southern rock artists used (some as a direct inspiration to form what we know as Southern rock). Even without that, on its own merits, it is one of those albums that can fit within many other musical categories and remain as important as it was when it was first released.

Tony Joe White - Black and White (1969)

From the man who composed “Rainy Night In Georgia” comes this all-around southern classic that introduces another set of musical elements so many southern rock artists relied on - in this case soul, funk, and blues, all southern fried and White’s impeccable eye (and ear) for both musical and lyrical detail that speak volumes about his southern background. Thirteen classic cuts from the late master.

The Allman Brothers Band - At Fillmore East (1971)

Sure, you might have expected this one here, but rightfully so. If there ever was a musical showcase of what Southern Rock is all about than this is it. Brilliant, often complex songwriting, masterful playing adding the fact that the whole thing was recorded live.

It is also a presentation of one of the best bands in rock music as such, and if you (probably) already have this one, time to pull it out again.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - (Pronounced ‘l?h-’nérd ‘skin-’nérd) (1973)

In many ways, this is a true companion to The Allman Brothers Band album above. Many consider this debut album the epitome of what Southern rock turned into, a combination of some excellent dual guitar boogie/rock/ blues/country and whatever else these guys threw in there. And if you wanted Southern content within the lyrics, this is it. Oh, and don’t forget some outstanding musicianship.

ZZ Top - Tres Hombres (1973)

It seems that 1973 was one of the key years for Southern rock, as this Texas trio (the beards came later on) came up with this heavy boogie/blues combo version of Southern rock. If you think this is all Billy Gibbons's guitar show, take a closer listen to the tight rhythm backbone Dusty Hill and Frank Beard gained through all those night-after-night bar gigs.

Gregg Allman - Laid Back (1973)

Duane Allman’s guitar wizardry might have been one of the key elements of The Allman Brothers Band sound, but, brother Greg’s songwriting and vocals were the other, as this first solo effort (again from 1973) showed it. More laid back than the prime Allmans, but with all the ingredients to make it one of the key southern rock releases.

Steve Earle - Guitar Town (1986)

Another brilliant debut album, that many reviewers qualify simply as country, with Earle easily disapproving them with his placement of country outlaws like Lefty Frizzell within rock combined with quite a few other musical elements. And then there’s Earle’s sharp tongue and penchant for social comment Southern style, remaining with him to this day.

The Black Crowes - The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992)

Well, it is not just the title that should be a giveaway here. It is the Robinson brothers and co.’s refinement of the Rolling Stones' take on Southern musical styles and upgrading them for the new decades that makes this, the band’s second album probably their best so far.

It is one of those albums that has that timeless sound that its recording date, as some other guys would say, is obscured by clouds.

Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998)

It took Lucinda Williams some six years to record this album,  and in retrospect, it was the right decision, as this meticulously crafted album was worth all the time it took, as it transcends all the key Southern rock elements it certainly does include. Brilliant songwriting and Williams’ distinctive vocals with some textured, detailed backing make it a certain classic in any music genre.

Drive-By Truckers - Decoration Day (2003)

If you wanted the answer to the question of how a combination of The Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, often playing with the intensity of the Replacements, then Drive-By Truckers just might provide the answer. Bringing all the key elements of Southern Rock into the new century, this is one of the band’s best showcases (they have quite a few) and their continuously outstanding songwriting is presented here throughout.

Jason Isbell - Southeastern (2013)

Isbell started out with The Drive-By Truckers, and switched gears a bit, turning himself into a sort of singer-songwriter version of Southern rock, but his songwriting and vocals never faltered nor lost that ‘southern’ element that qualifies it for inclusion here, but also one of the best albums of the new century, with any genre considered.

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