Son Volt - Trace

Following the split from Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar went on to form Son Volt, which helped to define the sound of the alt-country genre. Picking up where Uncle Tupelo had left off, Farrar took over all of the vocal duties and set to crafting a straightforward rock album tinged with country sensibilities. Trace is the resultant record. Unlike the more Americana sound of Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt has a rough-around-the-edges quality to it that blends perfectly with Farrar's growl. This record just runs front to back like a roadtrip across the Deep South; it just feels like a hot slice of hard-working American piety. There's a certain level of respect and care given to the working-class compositions on Trace, similar to what you'd expect from say a Bob Seger song, like taking pride in the modesty of an honest living. This is the soundtrack of rural America's blood, sweat and tears, and the traces they leave behind. If you've never listened to Trace before, then take the time to do it right: get in your car, roll down the windows, get out on the highway and tap your steering wheel. Freedom never felt so good.

Highlights: "Windfall" and "Ten Second News"