Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance

Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance is the third solo album by Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood, released on September 11, 2012 on ATO Records.

Background and recording
Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance is based on a novel Hood started writing but never finished. The novel was based on a very difficult time in Hood's life in the early 1990s. Hood wrote the novel while on the road touring in support of The Big To-Do.

Critical reception
On review aggregator website Metacritic, the album has a score of 77 out of 100, based on 13 reviews, corresponding to "generally favorable reviews".

Track listing

 * 12:01
 * 1) Leaving Time
 * 2) Disappear
 * 3) Better Off Without
 * 4) (untold pretties)
 * 5) After The Damage
 * 6) Better Than The Truth
 * 7) Betty Ford
 * 8) Depression Era
 * 9) Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance
 * 10) Come Back Little Star
 * 11) Fifteen Days (Leaving Time Again)

Personnel

 * David Barbe – bass, electric bass, engineer, mixing, producer, shaker
 * Greg Calbi – mastering
 * Mike Cooley – banjo
 * Scott Danbom – cello, fiddle, piano, violin
 * Matt DeFilippis – live sound engineer, road manager
 * Wes Freed – artwork, illustrations
 * Phoebe Gellman – additional production
 * Jay Gonzalez – accordion, mellotron, piano, piano (grand), piano (upright), Wurlitzer electric piano
 * Tim Hall – additional production
 * Kelly Hogan – vocal harmony, vocals
 * David Hood – bass
 * Lilla Hood – art direction
 * Patterson Hood	– guitars, mandocello, monologue, photography, producer, vocal harmony, vocals, background vocals
 * Rebecca Hood – cover photo, photography
 * Will Johnson – atmosphere, electric guitar, vocal harmony
 * Andy LeMaster – engineer
 * Brad Morgan – drums, percussion, pipe snare drum, tambourine
 * Jacob Morris – cello, violin
 * John Neff – pedal steel guitar
 * Steve Rainbow – additional production
 * Jon Salter – additional production
 * Edwin Schroter – additional production
 * Traci Thomas – publicity
 * Drew Vandenberg – engineer