May the Wind Take Your Troubles Away: All Eight Son Volt Albums Ranked Worst to Best (2017)

This month, Jay Farrar and Son Volt returned with their eighth studio album, "Notes of Blue," twenty-three years after Farrar first christened the band.

To the alt-country scene, this is a big deal. To the casual fan, not so much. Farrar's music has a bit of predictability to it, which is by no means a bad thing. Many successful bands and musicians have a successful formula that they can return to, and no matter what, the fan that loves that formula will return. Wilco has done this, but they have the privilege of a fanbase that looks for experimentation. Son Volt on the other hand has a comfortable familiar sound that Farrar holds close, experiementing just enough to keep things interesting.

And on "Notes of Blue," he has done that. He has delivered a Son Volt record that sounds like a Son Volt record, but it also has special qualities that makes it stand out from the rest of the band's discography.

Wilco's acclaim is unmatched, and in their success in the early 2000s, critics began to discover how relevant the discography of Jay Farrar and Uncle Tupelo too. Thanks to Wilco's success, Jay Farrar can continue to make great records AND enjoy acclaim from music critics like NPR.

I have noted that that there is no internet article ranking Son Volt's albums. I decided to take the plunge and put one out there. Side projects and collaborations are excluded. Only the records under the Son Volt name were ranked.

Here are all eight of Son Volt's records, ranked from worst to best. I ranked by content and quality, over legacy or favorability.

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#8

American Central Dust (2009)

Consensus: A beautiful return to form. This folky sixth album was the record Son Volt fans were looking for when the band reunited in 2005. However, it does not quite reach the quality from their 90s records or the experimentation in their early comeback records. Son Volt seems at home with this folky sound, but when you hold your cards close to your chest, it shows you've been pushed too far.

Track Pick: Dynamite

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#7

Notes of Blue (2017)

Consensus: This is exactly what fans were looking for in 2017: A bold, punchy record that included sounds that were a little different (southern rock slide guitars). However, their eighth record cannot come close to the quality of their work in the 90s and 2000s.

Track Pick: Back Against the Wall

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#6

 Honky Tonk (2013)

Consensus: Their seventh record is often overooked and dismissed because of its self-labeled theme. Don't judge it based on its terrible cover art either. The band continues to return-to-form mellow folk, with to a much better result than American Central Dust. The ensemble here is very lively and organic, and the honky tonk songs are nicely spaced out between folk ballads and bluesy shuffles.

Track Pick: Hearts and Minds

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#5

The Search (2007)

Consensus: The Search is an interesting album. Farrar makes a great attempt to do something different, which is great because to many people who aren't fans, Son Volt songs all sound the same.  An album that had so much potential, the follow-up to Okemah is too long and too cluttered. Feels like driving round in a slow hearse. It's ok though, because it's worth the wait. You're rewarded later in the record with "Methamphetamine," "Highways and Cigarettes," and the title track. 

Track Pick: Methamphetamine

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#4

Straightaways (1997)

Consensus: Considered a bit of a disappointment in 1997, their follow up record "Trace, pt. 2" follows the same patterns as the debut, with less definitive tunes, but the excellent instrumentation executed by the band makes up for it. Make no mistake, this is an essential Son Volt record for even the casual fan. This one exemplifies the melancholy and moody part of Farrar. Classic Son Volt, it barely loses out to Wide Swing Tremolo.

Track Pick: Back Into Your World

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#3

Wide Swing Tremolo (1998)

Consensus: Straightaways was really nice, but it was destined to be shadowed by the band's amazing debut. On Wide Swing Tremolo the band really tries to find footing, and the results may seem sporadic, but there's a lot of great variety on their third record and everything seems to FLOW really nicely. Some really great standout tracks here, among the band's best recordings. 

Track Pick: Driving the View

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#2

Okemah and the Melody of Riot (2005)

Consensus: Surprised this one beat out Straightaways? Don't be. Son Volt reunited in 2005 with a lot of buzz, especially after the breakthrough success of their rival band Wilco. Their fourth record is almost nonstop, driving crunching guitars moving forward until the beautiful closing  track. It's angsty, it's ragged, it's so unlike most of SV's catalog. Consistent in quality, this beats out all their records, save one.

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#1

Trace (1995)

Consensus: No surprise here. This is unanimously the best Son Volt record, and Farrar will never produce anything that will top it. In fact, anything he produces is shadowed by this record. This is top notch roots rock with a folk twist. It's also your ultimate roadtrip-through-the-midwest-in-the-middle-of-the-night-album.

Track Pick: Windfall

So, did I rannk 'em right? Do you think Okemah and The Search are too high? Do you think their newest releases are ranked too low? Tell me what you think in the comments below.

My First Experience at a Salt Float

 February 25, 2017

Today I first experienced a salt float. My girlfriend had alerted me to a salt float facility that was opening up in my city. She had never done it, but she is very into therapeudic methods and detox options. I am not too interested in learning about things like this, but I was open and curious about this when she told me about it and I agreed to it without hesitation.

Today we had our appointment. The first weird thing was a sign that read “take off shoes before entering.” There was also great tea available. I took advantage of the lavender tea. It was very good, it’s been a while since I’ve had it.

Getting to the float, we were shown to a room with a bath and a shower. We showered beforehand, and then entered the tub for 90 minutes.

The weirdest part of the experience was floating EFFORTLESSLY in the salt tub (in 12 inches of water), in the dark and silence. I felt like I was in an exotic dark cavern, all by myself, floating in a few inches of water. I put a pillow under my neck and just relaxed and tried to focus on the silence and my breathing. I could practice meditation, which I have a hard time doing because I am always distracted by something. We talked a little at the beginning but mostly just lay there quietly in the dark. I was almost able to relax but I remained tense because I was worried about getting the salty water in my ears, even though I was wearing molded plugs. I have a narrow ear canal in my right ear. It is narrow and crooked and is easily infected, so spent a lot of time positioning myself so water would not get into my ears.

The facility was very clean and comfortable. There was complimentary lotion, wipes, cotton swabs and even contact lens cases and solution for people (including me) who need to take out their lenses before entering the bath.

I am writing this many hours later. My hands feel a little dry but my skin is mostly soft. I feel very good, although I am a little thirsty. Overall, I feel the salt float was very rejuvenating and I will likely do it again in a few months, maybe during a stressful time to help my body relax.

Son Volt is More Relevant Than I Initially Thought

I listen to a lot of music. New and old, popular and obscure. Five years ago, with my introduction of music streaming, I had a world of music open up to me. Suddenly, all the music I had to buy on CDs or dig out in my parents' record collection, was at my fingertips.

One of my first ventures in music streaming was country-rock. I enjoyed music from 1970s California, mostly rock with a twangy or folky twist. I enjoyed the Eagles, Credence Clearwater Revival and Neil Young. 

One day I stumbled on Son Volt's Trace and everything changed.

Five years later, I absolutely love Uncle Tupelo and I am very fond of Son Volt and Wilco.

I am not yet burned out on Uncle Tupelo, but  I am starting to look at all the music that has been put out under Wilco (Jeff Tweedy) and Son Volt (Jay Farrar) that I KNEW was there, but never really bothered before. I was disinterested in much of Wilco's later catalog because it no longer retained the rootsy element, and I was less than curious in Farrar's post 90s albums, which seemed dried up and ignored by music fanatics entirely.

Well, after loving Uncle Tupelo non-stop, and seeing Wilco live last summer, and having two new records from both bands (Wilco's Schmilco and Son Volt's Notes of Blue) I am taking a deeper dive. First I'll start with Son Volt, since I haven't heard them much lately. I will listen to all their records and rank them, since I cannot find any internet source that examines all the Son Volt records and ranks them worst to best.

I am enjoying Son Volt's 2000s albums so far, and I am surprised. I pre-judged Okemah and the Melody of Riot for too long, and after first hearing American Central Dust I am completely taken aback, since it's actually really enjoyable. Now I'll take a few weeks to take in Honky Tonk (which I basically panned when it came out in 2013) and their new record Notes of Blue, which critics are mixed about, but Metacritic ranks it higher than all of their later records so I will take a close listen.

More to come.

Twenty Years Later, The Alt-Country Flame Still Burns Bright

Southern Louisiana native Lucinda Williams, now into her fifth decade of recording original music, is considered the matriarch and queen of the alt-country genre and is a champion singer/songwriter.

Jeff Tweedy

Ryan Adams

Jay Farrar

Steve Earle

Lucinda Williams

Gary Louris

Rhett Miller

If you recognize any of those names, you may have enjoyed music under the name "alt-country" at one point in your life. Alt-country, more alternative rock than country, seemed to find footing in the 1990s, though the forms of music with this calibur of roots flavor has existed since Credence Clearwater Revival in balmy California sang about cotton fields and bayous. The 1990s saw the peak of many of these musicians and even though twenty years have passed, these artists have staggered on, giving us an amazing number of albums in 2016 and 2017.

When people first heard these artists, President Clinton was in the White House and people headed to their local retail store to pick up the latest CDs (or if you were broke, the latest tapes). Today, we can listen to new (and old) music on our phones while getting news alerts of the latest activities going on in the White House. And now, especially now that we have found out that ex-bandmates Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar are communicating, and Ryan Adams is writing a book about Whiskeytown, perhaps the time is ripe for a resurgence or a second comeback era in this modest genre.

Here we look at 10 albums released by veteran alt-country artists that came out in 2016 and 2017, showing us that alt-country is still going strong and may possibly be on the rise.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS - The Ghosts of Highway 20
12th Studio Album
February 5, 2016

The latest from the alt-country matriarch. She described it as "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, part 2," referencing her definitive 1998 record. As she did on that record, she reflects on her childhood, but now from the viewpoint of a woman who is twenty years older. She takes a lot of inspiration from the poetry of her father, who was honored to read his poetry at an inauguration of President Clinton. Not many artists at age 63 possess the drive and inspiration to produce a double album, but Ms. Lucinda Williams does.
Track Pick: Dust

SLOBBERBONE - Bees and Seas: The Best of Slobberbone
Compilation - Previously Released Material
April 1, 2016

Often a forgotten member of the alt-country cannon, Slobberbone were a supurb rocking band from Denton TX, led by singer/songwriter Brent Best. They released four wonderful records in the late 1990s, but called it quits in the early 2000s. With the release of this compilation from New West Records, one wonders if it could be a precursor of more material from either Best or a reunion of the band. Regardless, this release confirms their continued relevance in the alt-country genre.
Track Pick: Pinball Song

THE JAYHAWKS - Paging Mr. Proust
9th Studio Album
April 29, 2016

After a relatively quiet period for the band in the 2000s, the Jayhawks are roaring back in the 2010s.
Track Pick: Quiet Corners and Empty Spaces

WILCO - Schmilco
10th Studio Album
September 9, 2016

Jeff Tweedy and Wilco left their alt-country sound a while ago this this year they completely denounced their participation in the genre. Nevertheless, alt-country fans are always at least curious about the latest release from Wilco. After all, Tweedy's origins in the seminal alt-country band Uncle Tupelo help keep that long-defunct band relevant.
Track Pick: If I Ever Was a Child

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS - American Band
11th Studio Album
September 30, 2016

The Drive-By Truckers are unique. The harken back to the days of southern rock with the songwriting caliber of Neil Young. This record got a lot of attention due to the content, heavily political and conscious of current issues in American society.
Track Pick: What It Means

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO - Burn Something Beautiful
13th Studio Album
October 28, 2016

Alejandro Escovedo, often forgotten, continues to write songs and release records.
Track Pick: Heartbeat Smile

RYAN ADAMS - Prisoner
16th Studio Album
February 17, 2017

Ryan Adams returns with his first record after his rough divorse from actress Mandy Moore.
Track Pick: To Be Without You

SON VOLT - Notes of Blue
8th Studio Album
February 17, 2017

After slipping into retro-country in their last release in 2013, Son Volt return with their instantly recognizable sound: rusty, folky rock and roll perfect for your late night road tripping.
Track Pick: Cherokee St.

OLD 97'S - Graveyard Whistling
11th Studio Album
February 27, 2017

After their comeback, "Most Messed Up," the Dallas band returns with a record that alt-country fans are sure to enjoy.
Track Pick: Good with God

No album cover as of yet. We'll see it in June!

STEVE EARLE - So You Wanna Be an Outlaw
17th Studio Album
June 16, 2017

This summer, Texas Troubadour Steve Earle returns with his latest studio album.