Keep in mind that even Paul Simon, a man known for his inability to connect with the subjects of his liberalism, hit on the tenderness and implicit understanding thematically inherent in songs about patres familias with chemical dependencies. I think it’s safe to say that the great judgmental drinking song isn’t going to come from a band that has taken it upon itself to be the weathered voice of wisdom for this generation of chemical dependents.

Of course the whole The Hold Steady modus operandi is about finding the transcendent within your druggy little messed up teenage life, but in 2008 Patterson Hood, relating instead to the goodly men of the south who don’t care about this recession because their financial situation wasn’t any better before, found a moment of transcendence while attempting his own tender understanding of the alcoholic condition: “daddy needs a drink, to deal with all the beauty.”

Both The Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers secured for themselves positions of authority this year. As goodly men themselves, they perceived an audience centered around their respective rock and roll traditions turning towards music as a means of escaping their vulnerability, and then attempted direct connection. For the Hold Steady, this meant everybody in New York under the age of 25 with a drug habit. For the Truckers it would be everybody south of the Mason Dixon line, provided they didn’t have enough money to not be classified as one of those people.

Hence a nationwide tour, where both bands can reciprocate the notion that they do in fact share status as indie rock’s benevolent uncle. Take it as you want it; Craig Finn wants you to know that wherever you are, he’s been there himself. The other two would like to make it clear that unless you’re a meth addict, there’s room for error in your development as a person. As for me, I’m just glad two great rock bands have decided to play together, drug habit and depressed geography notwithstanding.

The Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady play Terminal 5 on November 7.