Son Volt - Straightaways

When Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar, his former partner in Uncle Tupelo, split up in 1994, the common wisdom was that Tweedy was the melodic and optimistic Paul McCartney of the team, while Farrar was the cathartic and moody John Lennon. That analogy seemed to stand up when Wilco's debut disc A.M. was sweet and tuneful, while the first album by Farrar's Son Volt, Trace, was angst-ridden country-rock. Tweedy transcended his pigeonhole with the diverse, ambitious Being There, but Farrar remains trapped in his on Son Volt's follow-up Straightaways, a more laid-back, understated version of Trace. Farrar does one thing really well, and that is his use of a gravelly baritone and suspended guitar chords to capture the exhaustion and desperation of a man at the end of his rope. Unfortunately, he tends to do it over and over and over again. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

great from start to finish

Just like Son Volt's first CD, this one is packed with great roots rock. Although the songs tent to be a little more mellow, the writing is great, and the instrumental parts blend perfectly with Jay Farrar's vocals. Lovers of alt.country or roots rock or americana or whatever you want to call it ought to give this one a listen. May 4, 2008

well worth it!

great cd! we like all the songs! all of Son Volts cd's have proven to be worth the money!! March 13, 2008

Great Disc from end to end..

"Back into your world" is worth 10 bucks, everything else is a bonus. The first two or three listens of this CD I hated it. I finally picked it back up after a long, late fall evening after working for about 9-10 hours and it just clicked. This is a driving CD, this is a SMART CD, and this is a classic American record. Flows through the speakers like a silky smooth bit of wonder.

For the fans of Trace, I understand if you first dislike this album. Wide Swing Tremelo and the newer Okemah is a lot closer to Trac than this one is, but this one is a true Gem and deserves all of the attention it can garner.

Jay Farrar doesn't make bad music, period. May 29, 2006

Do your frontal lobes need a good scrubing?

I listen to this album when I'm doing a road trip like when I'm going up Highway 395 along the eastern Sierra Nevada. It's also good for clearing out the cobwebs in your brain as you're about to jump off the cornice at Mammoth.
But seriously, Son Volt and Jay Ferrar have many fans and I'm one. However, I think that this particular album is their best work. The words are haunting and the melodies, guitars and rhythms are driven. April 27, 2006

Excellent Album

I got into Wilco & found this album while searching Amazon. This album is fantastic & really grows on you. Great Alt-Country... Back Into Your World, Picking Up The Signal & Left A Slide are really the prefeft trifecta of songs (as another reviewer put it). They just flow one into the other. I love this whole album, especially the afore-mentioned & also Cemetary Savior & Last Minute Shakedown. When I first heard it (it was my 1st Son Volt experience), I admit I picked a few out & skipped some - but after a listening, I realized this album is great - buy it - it will grow on you & you will enjoy it. May 19, 2005

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