Patterson Hood
Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams
ATO Records [2025]
“With stellar guest appearances, Patterson Hood’s Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams elevates personal storytelling to new heights.”
Album Overview: Patterson Hood is best known as the co-founder of Drive-By Truckers, a band celebrated for blending Southern rock with detailed storytelling. Born in North Alabama, he later moved to Athens, Georgia, where he helped form the band in 1996. In addition to his work with the Truckers, Hood has released several solo albums, often focusing on personal narratives and regional history. Now based in Portland, Oregon, he continues to explore new creative directions while maintaining his distinct voice as a songwriter. Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams is Hood’s first solo album in over a decade, bringing together songs written at various points in his life. The record captures reflections on his youth, personal turning points, and long-held memories. Some songs were developed during lockdown, while others had remained unfinished for years. Inspired by a short story he wrote, the album showcases Hood pushing himself musically and thematically, collaborating with producer Chris Funk (guitarist of The Decemberists) to create something outside the usual framework of his past projects.
Musical Style: The album moves beyond Hood’s typical guitar-driven compositions, incorporating piano-based songwriting along with orchestral elements, vintage synthesizers, and layered arrangements. These choices create an expansive atmosphere that shifts between intimate moments and sweeping, cinematic passages. The production allows the storytelling to unfold with added depth, blending folk, rock, and chamber-pop influences.
Evolution of Sound: While Hood has always embraced narrative songwriting, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams expands his range in structure and instrumentation. Writing primarily on piano led to richer melodies and unexpected textures. With Funk’s encouragement, Hood performed the piano parts himself, adding an unpolished honesty to the recordings. Funk also helped connect Hood with a different musical circle, featuring collaborations with Waxahatchee and Wednesday. The inclusion of strings, woodwinds, and other elements marks a shift from the straightforward arrangements of his past work, making this one of his most sonically adventurous efforts.
Artists with Similar Fire: Listeners who appreciate the storytelling depth of Bobbie Gentry, the experimental roots of Wilco, and the introspective songwriting of Sturgill Simpson will find much to connect with here. There are also shades of Kevin Morby’s atmospheric folk-rock and the melodic richness often found in the music of former Truckers member Jason Isbell.
Pivotal Tracks: “Exploding Trees” sets the tone for the album, drawing from Hood’s short story and reflecting on an ice storm that left a lasting impression on his hometown. “A Werewolf and a Girl,” featuring Lydia Loveless, captures both the excitement and heartbreak of young love through a dual perspective. “The Forks of Cypress,” with Waxahatchee, takes inspiration from Southern folklore, blending fictional storytelling with real-life history. “Airplane Screams,” written decades ago but only now fully realized, carries a sense of rediscovery and emotional weight. Tracks like “Pinocchio” and “Miss Coldiron’s Oldsmobile” stand out for their raw autobiographical nature, offering striking glimpses into Hood’s past.
Lyrical Strength: Hood’s songwriting remains rooted in vivid storytelling, continuing the tradition with an even greater focus on personal history and self-reflection. His lyrics contrast nostalgia with hard-earned wisdom, recognizing how memory shifts over time. Through detailed imagery and strong character-driven narratives, he invites listeners to step into moments that shaped him while leaving space for broader interpretation.
Final Groove: Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams is a compelling exploration of Patterson Hood’s journey through life and memory. By stepping outside his typical sound, including several guest artists and embracing new influences, Hood has crafted an album that is both intimate and expansive. This record not only showcases his growth as an artist but also another highlight in an already extensive catalog.
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS REVIEW HISTORY
Welcome 2 Club XIII (2022) / The Unraveling (2020) / American Band (2016) / It’s Great To Be Alive! (2015) / English Oceans (2014)
PATTERSON HOOD LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | ATO Records
- Motorbike: Kick It Over [Album Review] - March 21, 2025
- Tim Easton | New Album Campaign on Kickstarter – fiREHORSE! - March 20, 2025
- Mdou Moctar: Tears Of Injustice [Album Review] - March 18, 2025