Wide Swing Tremolo

Son Volt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2011)
• Original Release Date: October 6, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: WEA/Reprise
• ASIN: B00000DAG8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,179 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Son Volt is not for the short attentioned listener, July 19, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wide Swing Tremolo (Audio CD)

Wide Swing Tremolo is another 5 star in my humble opinion. I guess I find it hard to say oh this CD was better than this one when it comes to Son Volt. I just appreciate that they are not stagnant. I first came into contact with Son Volt's music when on business in St. Louis. I was looking for something that was devoid of the candy coated mainstream dribble that is drenching our society today when I walked into a music store. The girl understood I was a Neil Young fan and recommended Son Volt. As a flew home and listened to Trace, I felt I was home once again. As a musician since the age of six I have learned you never compare groups or musicians like comparing the statistics of ball players. Son Volt is for those who actually take time to ponder the lyrics of a song and appreciate, as Jay puts it, "the truer sound".

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Bands of All Time, May 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Wide Swing Tremolo (Audio CD)

I can't believe the narrow hole some of the Son Volt fans above have painted themselves into. "This album's better than that album," "we're still waiting for the next 'Trace'" blah blah blah. I understand they're reviewing an individual record, but the fact remains that Son Volt is one of the best bands rock music (not country, alt-country, etc) has seen in a LONG time. Every album stands far above the crowd, including Straightaways. I felt that way about Wilco when I heard them, which is how I got turned on to the whole UT-SV-Wilco band a troi. But nowadays I forget that Jay Farrar was even a a part of that whole thing, the No Depression, alt-country movement. Because Son Volt stands on its own. Right next to Neil Young and other timeless, microgenreless greats. You can read the other reviews above to know what SV sound like, there's great descriptions there. This review though, is to state my opinion that without more bands on the level of Son Volt, I dread the future of rock music. Every "average" (meaning not indie-snob, or musician) rock fan I've let hear Son Volt is immediately struck by the songwriting purity and musicianship. On the contrary to hoping SV "don't become too popular so they'll remain true," as one reviewer put it, I encourage SV fans to turn as many people on as possible. Spread the word--great rock still lives. (And I hope it's just a rumor that there's no more SV--I hope these guys will stay together in this lineup.)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Son Volt on the upswing, September 26, 1998

By 

"rbjonesy" (Decatur, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wide Swing Tremolo (Audio CD)

Son Volt is one band that really TESTS its fans. To see them in a live show is like watching a band that seems perpetually on downers. However, what SV and Wilco have done since the demise of the mythic Uncle Tupelo is to keep the dream alive. SV's "Trace" contained classic folk/country numbers like "Tear Stained Eye", an homage to the citizens of Ste. Genevieve, MO, and those who fought the Great Flood of 1993. However, the rock numbers had less of an edge than those on UT albums. Son Volt toured several times, and while not all that exciting, their music wraps up anyone seeing the show into an almost religious fervor over the most simple elements of rock and roll. "Straightaways" was quite a dud, and many fans worried that Jay Farrar was becoming too maudlin or something. The rock numbers lacked any punch, and the folk numbers were somewhat weak and aimless. The length of the album left much to be desired, as well.

Now, "Wide Swing Tremolo" comes out swinging quite well. Jay has picked up where "Chickamauga" and "Fifteen Keys" left off. On "Straightface" the vocal is drenched in reverb, with a strong kick to the guitar lines. "Medicine Hat" is derived from the Alberta city, but refers to a more emotional context. It is one of the more catchy songs, as is "Question," which has a rather heavy sounding guitar passage. The folk numbers are much more 'gothic', with several sound experiments peppering the track line-up.

People had wondered if Wilco would be heir apparent to UT's leagcy, but with this wonderful effort, Jay Farrar will continue to hold the banner of the link to rock and country's past. This is Jay's most direct homage to Neil Young, The Byrds and to Big Star. This is not a bad thing as it has the danger to be. Personally Son Volt should've done "Mermaid Avenue" with Wilco as a UT reunion album. Imagine how good it wouldve been.