Sirens of the Ditch is the debut solo album released by singer-songwriter and former
Drive-By Truckers lead guitarist,
Jason Isbell. The album was released on July 10, 2007.
After leaving
Drive-By Truckers amicably in 2007, Isbell released Sirens of the Ditch on
New West Records. Sirens of the Ditch was recorded at
FAME Studios, where among the musicians helping to record the album was
Patterson Hood of Drive by Truckers and
Spooner Oldham, famous for his work with
Aretha Franklin and
Neil Young.[7] According to
Washington Post writer Catherine Lewis, Sirens of the Ditch has "a more bluesy pop sound" than Isbell's work with Drive-By Truckers.[8] The first single from the album, "Brand New Kind of Actress," deals with the death of
Lana Clarkson in
Phil Spector's mansion.[9] Another single, "Dress Blues," concerns the death of Corporal Matthew Conley, a US Marine from Isbell's hometown who was killed in the
Iraq War.[7] "Dress Blues" was also recorded by the
Zac Brown Band (featuring
Jewel), on their April 2015 release,
Jekyll + Hyde.
The album was re-released on July 13, 2018. Titled Sirens of the Ditch: Deluxe Edition, the album features four previously unreleased songs.[10]