Son Volt, one of the most influential Americana bands of their generation, have announced the July 30th release of their tenth studio album, ‘Electro Melodier’ which lands via Transmit Sound and our feline friends at Thirty Tigers. The title, taken from the names of two vintage amplifiers from the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, also describes the album’s blend of folk, country, blues, soul and rock. You can listen to the first track to be released from it ‘Reverie’ below.
The follow-up to 2019’s ‘Union’, the new record the press release tells us “finds band founder Jay Farrar’s unparalleled song writing as poignant and intelligent as ever. Electro Melodier touches on the thought-provoking issues that impact us all, including the pandemic, love, and the inevitable passing of time. The current political divide makes its appearance on the album as well. “I wanted to concentrate on the melodies which got me into music in the first place,” says Farrar. “I wanted politics to take a back seat this time, but it always seems to find a way back in there.””
‘Livin’ in the USA’ echoes protest songs of old, highlighting both the breakdown of our culture and planet. “Share a little truth with your neighbour down the block, We’ve all got fossil fuel lungs while we run out the clock” Farrar sings. ‘The Globe’ reverberates with the tensions that arise with the fight for equality. “People climbing skyward stairs, Deciders of their fate, You can see it everywhere, Change is in the air…” The sentimental ‘Diamonds and Cigarettes,’ featuring vocals by country singer Laura Cantrell (who appeared in one of our top 10 Americana albums ever lists), pays homage to his wife, while ‘Lucky Ones’ is a weary tale of gratitude.
‘Electro Melodier’ features band members Mark Spencer (piano, organ, acoustic slide, lap steel, backing vocals) Andrew DuPlantis (bass, backing vocals), Chris Frame (guitar) Mark Patterson (drums, percussion).
Farrar started Son Volt in 1994 after leaving the seminal group Uncle Tupelo, whose ‘No Depression’ album helped define the alt-country and Americana genre. Son Volt’s debut ‘Trace’ was heavily lauded and remains a defining document of the ’90s alt-country movement. Oh for those times.
