Son Volt
Album: Okemah and the Melody of Riot
Lable: Transmit Sound\Legacy
5 out of 5

Jay Farrar creates a masterpiece.

After a seven-year hiatus and two adventurous solo albums, Jay Farrar has returned to his band, Son Volt, with a new incarnation of the group he once fronted following the split of the other band he co-headlined, the critically acclaimed pioneers of alt-country, Uncle Tupelo. Farrar’s current resurrection of Son Volt marks a steady flow of five-year changes: he and high school friend, Jeff Tweedy, started Uncle Tupelo which, unfortunately, stayed together for only 5 years, then the first incarnation of Son Volt was together for 5 years (with original U.T. drummer Mike Heidorn), then another 5 years of solo touring and two creative and experimental, yet comparatively unexciting solo albums (Sebastopol and Terroir Blues), now he’s back behind the windshield of this vehicle still called Son Volt.

Aside from the history, which is interesting enough, “Okemah and the Melody of Riot” is a masterpiece. Farrar has zoned in his writing skills and set a course across American landscapes while depicting the ills of this current administration, the on-going war in Iraq, and, of course, the desperation here at home. The frustration and salvation resonate in his lyrics, revealing Farrar’s belief that the past is a link to the future. The calamities of today’s society weigh heavy on him, and it shows.

In the first track, “Bandages and Scars,” he sings: “Been doin’ a lot of thinking\thinking about hell\Thinking about the ozone\thinking about living\thinking about the future\and what to do next.” The chorus, “Words of Woody Guthrie ringing in my head,” is also a focal point of the album. “Okemah” is a not-so-subtle reference to the Oklahoma town where Woody Guthrie was born. The cover art for the album even conveys a resistance like stance, a protest against the powers of today, personifying the “Melody of Riot” which would have ignited Guthrie himself back in the day.

Obviously, this “concept album” is incredibly pertinent to this time of post-election blues, with a war in Iraq still raging, through-the-roof gas prices, and a weakened economy as top news. But there’s hope within this epic album. The tried and true alt-country rhythms that we’ve come to expect from Son Volt echo in every song like usual, but with freshness from new band members. No other artist has such a unique voice, and this album truly showcases Farrar’s range, every weathered and worn note of it.

Due to legal and personal conflicts, the original members of Son Volt reluctantly bowed out of this project, so, at the last hour Jay found a diverse group of musicians to keep the vehicle moving in his direction: Dave Bryson (drums), Andrew Duplantis (bass and backing vocals), and Brad Rice (guitar). Over a 15-day period, they recorded this album on analog tape as opposed to the current cut-n’-paste digital quick fix trend that is used almost without exception today. This type of recording method is the perfect compliment to the rustic lyrics and authentic music of what remains pure Son Volt.

“Jet Pilot” stands out as Farrar’s most sarcastic and caustic anthem yet. “Jet Pilot for the day\wants to see the Rangers play\His daddy has a job in Washington\Wants to raise a harvest son.” It recalls Forgerty’s “Fortunate Son” in both the hard tone of the music and the poignant lyrics. Farrar claims that this song can describe all political leaders, but it is obvious he wrote it with the current administration in mind. Other stand-out tracks like “Six String Belief,” “Medication,” “Who,” and “Chaos Streams” add exciting elements to the album that will not disappoint true Farrar fans.

As a huge fan of the renowned Uncle Tupelo, I can’t help but wish that the original leaders of the alt-country movement had recorded Okemah. Okemah is not close to the harsh punk\country driven songs of Uncle Tupelo’s No Depression or Still Feel Gone, but it is a blend of the original Son Volt albums: Trace, Straightaways, and Wide Swing Tremolo, but with a fresh, new, exciting twist.

If Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic Devils & Dust needed an electric CD to complement it, “Okemah and the Melody of Riot” would be the perfect companion, as both songwriters are legendary voices of blue-collar Americana. Few others songwriters use their experience and knowledge of American history to paint a picture of a country in the midst of a conflict both at home and abroad as Springsteen and Farrar.

Okemah and the Melody of Riot will come out in the dual-disc format with interviews and live performances on the DVD side of the album. Son Volt is set to tour the U.S. extensively in the fall. Be sure to catch them at the Orange Peel in Asheville on Sept. 23. Tickets will go fast.

P.S.- If you want more Son Volt, a new retrospective CD is out in stores and so is the rocking 1996 live performance at Austin City Limits, which is available in its entirety on DVD. Ask for them at your local record stores.

(Joe Hooten is a Western Carolina University graduate and a teacher. He can be contacted at thatbeat@hotmail.com.)