Album Review
Son Volt
"Okemah and the Melody of Riot"
Grade: B+
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
Alt-country rockers Son Volt keep on keeping on and maintaining its roots with "Okemah and the Melody of Riot," its first album release in seven years. After frontman Jay Farrar found his songwriting skills while making several acclaimed solo records, the band is back from a long-awaited break. This was worth the wait for many listeners.
Returning to Son Volt, Farrar and his bandmates continue to deliver pure and enticing sounds reminiscent of many artists from Willie Nelson to Neil Young. Songs like "Bandages & Scars" and "Afterglow 61" both pay homage to heroes Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, while others like "6 String Belief" and "Who" return to the old Son Volt sound - pure, driving and to the point.
Since its last release, "Wide Swing Tremolo" in 1998, Son Volt has covered a lot of new and revolutionary ground. Farrar has struck up his songwriting structure to accommodate his unique, yet intriguing lyrics on several songs. Now with a new set of players, listeners can hear their interesting stylistic advances within the songs - truly the greatness of musicianship - new band, same ole sound.
Son Volt gained the recognition and gratitude as one of the first pioneer bands of alt-country music. This also is a great starter album for new listeners as well. Whatever the case, listeners will definitely find "Okemah and the Melody of Riot" another reason to feel good and turn the volume up.
- Dan Grimm
Edge staff
Returning to Son Volt, Farrar and his bandmates continue to deliver pure and enticing sounds reminiscent of many artists from Willie Nelson to Neil Young. Songs like "Bandages & Scars" and "Afterglow 61" both pay homage to heroes Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, while others like "6 String Belief" and "Who" return to the old Son Volt sound - pure, driving and to the point.
Since its last release, "Wide Swing Tremolo" in 1998, Son Volt has covered a lot of new and revolutionary ground. Farrar has struck up his songwriting structure to accommodate his unique, yet intriguing lyrics on several songs. Now with a new set of players, listeners can hear their interesting stylistic advances within the songs - truly the greatness of musicianship - new band, same ole sound.
Son Volt gained the recognition and gratitude as one of the first pioneer bands of alt-country music. This also is a great starter album for new listeners as well. Whatever the case, listeners will definitely find "Okemah and the Melody of Riot" another reason to feel good and turn the volume up.
- Dan Grimm
Edge staff
Be the first to comment on this story