For some reason I can't now begin to explain, I lived with the knowledge that a band called The Drive-By Truckers had released a CD called "Alabama Ass-Whuppin'." And yet I never listened to it. I even let it sit under a pile of shit on my desk. I figured that a name like that would be all-gimmick, no genuine quality. Man, I was wrong.

"Alabama Ass-Whuppin'" is subtitled "Live and Loud Way Down in Georgia, 1999." The CD chronicles their gigs in bars around Athens and Atlanta, from the 40 Watt to the Star Community. The result is a snapshot of a speeding trrainwreck of fiery drunk-as-fuck alt.country that, really now, you have to be from outer space not to love on some level.

The youthful spunk of early Wilco fused with the guitar destruction of Crazy Horse is presented here with a knowing but subtle wit. If Mike Watt was ever in an alt.country bar band, this would be it.

"Too Much Sex (Not Enough Jesus)," and "18 Wheels of Love," are mockingly reverential to the blue-collar Southern Christian experience. But in a nice way.

"Why Henry Drinks," opens the CD with a none-too-disapproving portrait of a functional alcoholic. "I drink a case of beer on my way home from work/Daddy needs his medicine to keep his hands from Mommy's throat." The country chord progressions are batted out with the subtlety of a Sex Pistols song, but there's just enough room for some twang and heartfelt vocals.

"Loving Bubba" is a dark, semi-sweet ode to a rock 'n roll friend who recently died from AIDS. The lines tear through Patterson Hood's vocal cords at one moment, then retreat to tender sincerity. One can't help but recall Neil Young's similar "Tonight's The Night," for theme and emotions, but the melody is straight "No Depression."

Lighter moments come with "The Avon Lady," a Tom Waits-like spoken word childhood memory put to sloppy jazz chords a la Lou Reed's "Coney Island Baby." "Buttholeville," (which is flagged in the liner notes thusly: Long Live Redneck Cock-Rock!) is an apt angry discertation on the town you just can't fuckin' believe you live in. This runs right into "Steve McQueen," the most psychobilly cut on the record. It's an ode to the beloved tough guy actor, with some Lynyrd Skynyrd riffs thrown in for good measure.

The biggest smile is the cover of Jim Carroll's "People Who Died." It's overlong and sloppy, but hearing this New York classic with a Southern drawl is worth it.

Like Roger Ebert's well-publicized preference for Black and White, I'm getting ready to accept, publically, that I prefer live records to those recorded in studios. I've never heard anything else by the Drive-By Truckers, but I doubt their sound would benefit from overdubs or fades. Or to be squeezed into a few hour blocks of rented time. In the day. Not quite sure that would make too much sense.