Son Volt - American Central Dust

by Carl Bookstein

published: 11 / 8 / 2009

Label: Rounder Records
Format: CD

Poignant Americana on rewarding sixth album from Minneapolis-based group Son Volt

Review

On Son Volt’s 'American Central Dust', Jay Farrar sings of promise and pain, angels with warning signs and prophets of doom. Son Volt’s latest album is Americana inspired alternative country, lamenting the troubled nature of these times. Farrar’s songwriting features rich stream of consciousness lyrical imagery, as his singing remains distinctive and powerful. Nearly twenty years ago, the influential alt country band Uncle Tupelo put out their first album. Band leaders Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar later split over creative differences. Tweedy went on to form Wilco, a band that has explored many new and innovative musical horizons. Meanwhile Farrar with Son Volt has continued to create first rate alt. country rock. Son Volt put out three albums in the 1990s, followed by three solo records by Farrar. 'American Central Dust' is the third Son Volt album of the decade and the third band release in the last four years. 'American Central Dust' is a love song for the heartland and follows in the country rock tradition of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. The new twelve song collection recalls the simplicity of Son Volt’s debut album 'Trace'. While the melodies generally don’t have the same hypnotic hooks as the songs on 'Trace', 'American Central Dust' is still a solid effort. Fiddle, pedal steel, lap steel and piano add atmosphere to Farrar’s soulful singing and songwriting. On the opener. 'Dynamite', we hear the compelling drawl of Farrar’s voice as Mark Spencer adds excellent keyboard work. A great lyric resounds: “This love is like celebrating the 4th of July with dynamite.” The band flows together as both the songwriting and playing are right on. 'Down to the Wire' is a gritty rocking number sung with a bite. Farrar writes of disappearing landscapes and long dead industry titans as he comments on our troubled world- a theme throughout the album. 'Roll On' features another great Farrar lyric with finely painted imagery: “Honky tonks and biker bars, finding worth in this world from inside a rental car.” 'Cocaine and Ashes' is an easy countrified ballad with strong acoustic instrumentation. The song is an empathetic tribute to Keith Richards: “I’ve been told I had 6 months to live, but I’ve outlasted them all.” The honky tonk sound of 'Dust of Daylight' features fine pedal steel work. Farrar sings about love and hard luck: “Love is a fog and you stumble every step you make.” 'When the Wheels Don’t Move' is a comment on the state of the nation. Farrar discusses man’s power over nature calling “going green- a casino catch phrase.” He goes on to sing about hubris and greed and asks: “Who will tell the children when the wheels don’t move?” Farrar’s lyrics capture great imagery of the back roads and towns of rural America. On 'No Turning Back' he states “lonely roads and freight trains will keep us sane.” 'Exiles' finds him once again commenting on the damaged state of America: “Hustlers and wolves walk freely through the door.” On “Sultana” Farrar writes about a maritime disaster of 1865. On 'Strength and Doubt' Farrar’s deep resonant singing goes straight to the soul: “Seen it all coming down, in a dream soaked world, nothing to fear.” The rich Americana of Farrar’s songwriting and the poignant alternative country voice of his singing combine for a positive result on 'American Central Dust'. In a struggling world, Son Volt provides some relief.

Track Listing:-

1 Dynamite
2 Down To The Wire
3 Roll On
4 Cocaine and Ashes
5 Dust of Daylight
6 When the Wheels Don't Move
7 No Turning Back
8 Pushed Too Far
9 Exiles
10 Sultana
11 Strength and Doubt
12 Jukebox of Steel