Comments on: Son Volt – American Central Dust

By: Bob Ryan

Bob Ryan — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:03:06 +0000

I love this record, start to finish. And unlike some of the reviewers I’ve read, I can listen to it all the way through and never be bored. Yes Jay can be undeviating in his vocal delivery to the point where you can just about predict every inflection, but somehow, I still find it interesting. The songs and feel are much closer to Trace… and the mix of instrumentation is excellent with the return of the pedal steel and violin.
Somebody here mentioned not being impressed with Chris Masterson’s playing. I just saw them live and I can tell you that although he doesn’t catch fire and he’s certainly no Metalhead, his work is tasty and really never misses the mark.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:39:14 +0000

The sound on new Son Volt is a bit lighter and closer to the traditional alt. country sound of their first 3 albums. Not one straight ahead rocker, compared to their last 2. Im a big Jay/Son Volt fan & don’t see how you cant appreciate this disc if you enjoy any of his other albums. Its a solid album with some beautiful songs that IMO are as moving as any on Trace. Jays writing style/lyrics are just different and from those earlier albums. Roll on, Dust & Daylight, Exiles, Strength & Doubt are my favorites. Cant wait to see them later this summer in Pgh.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:13:21 +0000

I’m with Todd. Just boring and uninspired work here. It all sounds the same, and it’s just completely joyless. I loved the direction of the last album with the horns and all, but this one is just SO flat and listless.

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:01:30 +0000

I have to say that this is the most boring/uninteresting Son Volt I’ve heard in a while…I tried to give it another shot last weekend but couldn’t sit through it all.

By: DBLDEE20

DBLDEE20 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:25:27 +0000

IMO its a great cd. Some of the most moving music Jay has created. I agree with Derek, its some of his best accessible songs/recordings he has made since the early days of Son Volt. Jay writes some of the most relevant music I’ve heard over the past 15yrs. “Strength & Doubt”, “Roll On” are beautiful songs & my favorites along with J Box of Steel. I was never overly impressed with Chris Masterson’s playing, but it blends and accents wonderfully on this cd.

By: Shawn Underwood

Shawn Underwood — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:34:04 +0000

That’s what this section is for. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

By: Derek

Derek — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:01:19 +0000

Got to respectfully disagree. I think that “American Central Dust” is a great album and hearkens back to the “Trace” type of sound. While it is nothing groundbreaking to be sure, Jay Farrar is at his best here. Have listened to this album several times through now and have not yet grown tired of it. The perfect soundtrack for my summer!!

By: Ferlin Husky In Critical Condition; Midriffs Are In; Brad Paisley Pokes Serious | The 9513

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:44:27 +0000

[...] says the album reaffirms the band’s pinnacle atop today’s American roots rockers and Twangville’s Shawn Underwood calls “it a solid effort, with some flashy nods to 60’s and 70’s country [...]