re-issue of 2005 album! Jay Farrar's back-and-forth forays into country and rock music naturally link him to Gram Parsons, yet Farrar’s further bonded to the late pioneer by his ability to play assorted styles in various groupings and incarnations. After two albums and an EP of solo material that had him dipping his toes in -Revolveresque studio methods, Farrar has reassembled Son Volt (with all new members) for its first all-new recording in seven years. Named for the Oklahoma town that raised Woody Guthrie, the record’s impulsively executed dozen are as much about turmoil as they are observation, complete with a recorded-live pulse complemented by guitarist Brad Rice (ex-Whiskeytown). Farrar continues his bold capacity for weaving historic references, progressive images and political jabs into his lyrics, then drives them home with a melodic cadence of rock ("Jet Pilot"), folk ("Medication") and balladeering ("World Waits For You"). Artistically potent, forever changing, he continues to build on his repute as one his generation’s most important artists. --Scott Holter
