Son Volt - Trace

Trace is obsessed with time. "Can you deny there's nothing greater ... than the traveling hands of time?" asks frontman Jay Farrar early on, and song to song, he deliberates time's tyranny. Farrar's voice always sounds beaten but never quite broken here, and when on the impossibly catchy "Windfall" he wishes "may the wind take your troubles away," it feels like nothing short of a blessing. Trace is alternative country's most perfect moment: the Uncle Tupelo-ish electric crunch rocks for something better, even as its twangy steel and fiddle never forget the very country fact that time will beat us all. --David Cantwell Amazon.com essential recording

Son Volt always rocks!

a great cd! my husband had all his cd's stolen a couple of years back and i've finally gotten around to ordering him replacements. this was one of them that he was most excited about. i like Son Volt's cd's because we can put it in and listen to the whole cd and like every song. that's rare with us. :) March 13, 2008

A Classic

This is Son Volt's debut CD and Jay Farrar's first release post-Uncle Tupelo. Lyrically and melodically exciting, Jay has come close but not quite surpassed the utter brilliance of this album. It's one of those right time, right place situations. If this album hadn't have been so good Wilco might not have tried to counter it with Being There. But it's unfair to bring them into this. This CD is a cornerstone of the genre of whatever you wanna call it. This record contains some of the most timeless songs ever written. I'd love to see Jay collaborate with someone like John Prine or Louden Wainwright...I can't imagine it but I'd love to see it. February 29, 2008

Disparate Talent

This album is amazing! Jay Farrar has separated Son Volt from the rest by creating such wonderful tracks. Some have quite a hint of country to them-while others seem a bit more alternative. Alt-country has grown on me thanks to this album. It is most definitely worth buying. Listeners can feel the lows and highs of each tune. February 26, 2008

The Gold Standard

I have all the Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and Son Volt albums, as well as a fine collection of Jeff and Jay's solo work. Although my preferences vary from album to album, you can't escape the fact that this is simply the best written of any of the work that the high school friends has ever put together. Windfall should be in an American Top 10 of all time, and others like Tear Stained Eye and 10 Second News aren't far behind. If you are looking to explore some Alt-Country, start here and then grab Summerteeth. July 22, 2007

High Point for Farrar

This amazing album keeps going. Every song conjurs up late night highway driving and decaying urban fabric. Soulful music throughout without a bad song on the entire ablum. Farrar rocks out and can keep it mello too. This is a staple for any Alt-Country fan.

I'm not quite as impressed by the other 2 SV albums, so start here. September 20, 2006

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