![]() If you liked those albums, especially Sky Blue Sky, then Wilco (the Album) will sit well enough with you, though still, it’ll not be distinguished in any particular way. Wilco (the album) continues to follow the trajectory of their last few albums, A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky. Just as 2009 finds Son Volt going back to the center of their sound, Wilco is still wandering the wilderness. “A reminder that renewal only happens within.” And while everything they do will continue to be measured against it, maybe, in going back, Farrar can make peace with who he is and what he does best. chasing a world to call our own” Farrar sings, on "Exiles" near the end of American Central Dust, and ever since the initial notice Son Volt got after Trace, nearly 15 years ago, it’s been a difficult journey. “We’re exiles now, pulling out of this place. But he’s always been at his best when the themes are large and the music basic. This is what Farrar has been running away from since Trace. It’s familiar territory, and the echoes to late 60s Dylan and 70s Tom Waits show here and there. In the second half of the album, first “Dust of Daylight” and then “Pushed too Far” vie for being placed next to “Tear Stained-Eye” as Farrar’s best in that mode, while “When the Wheels Don’t Move” is as good an electric lurch through apocalyptic vision as they’ve ever done. ![]() “Cocaine and Ashes” sounds more like “World Waits for You” than anything on Trace. ![]() But it’s more as if the spirit that infused Trace was being reinvestigated through the production values of their last couple albums. Much has been said about this album harkening back to Trace. He seems to be swallowing the ends of lines a bit less, and droning a bit less, and there are some backing vocals from the rest of the band to help things out. This is helped quite a bit on this album. The most consistent criticism of Son Volt over the years, is Jay Farrar has never been much for phrasing, annunciating, or simply trying to sing well. Son Volt, much like the new Cracker album (which is also excellent), is going back to Son Volt basics, which means accordions, fiddles, and steel guitars, along with fuzzed out, slow rockers. If you’ve ever liked Son Volt, you will find much to like on this album. I’ve had the good fortune to listen to them both several times. Son Volt and Wilco (once again!) have new albums coming out at pretty much the same time.
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