On Sale Electro Melodier Son Volt SKU: 11.99 17.00 £11.99 - £17.00 £16.00 £11.99 - £17.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound Released Date: 30th July 2021 Buying Format: 1LP 1LP Coloured Vinyl Buying Options Choose an option1LP1LP Coloured VinylClear Electro Melodier quantity Add to basket ReserveBack Order Add to your Wishlist Description Product Info IT’S A NEW WORLD, THIS IS THE LIFE/THESE ARE THE TIMES 2020 was not quite what Jay Farrar was expecting for the 25th anniversary of Son Volt, the band he started in 1995 after leaving the seminal group Uncle Tupelo, whose No Depression album helped define the alt-country and Americana genre. The group had just finished an Outlaw Country Cruise when the pandemic hit and sent them into their homes on lockdown. Instead of a triumphant tour marking the illustrious landmark, Farrar was forced indoors by the pandemic, and his “Reverie” during that time helped define Electro Melodier, Son Volt’s 10th studio album – and third for influential Nashville indie Thirty Tigers. The title, taken from the names of two vintage amplifiers from the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, also describes the disc’s unique blend of folk, country, blues, soul and rock – an electric troubadour with melodies that hit and stick. Social protest songs like “Living in the U.S.A.” and “The Globe,” the former about the promises of this nation gone wrong, the latter referencing the street protests accompanying the Black Lives Matter movement, exist side by side with odes to long-term relationships (specifically his 25-year marriage) in “Diamonds and Cigarettes” and “Lucky Ones.” Once again accompanied by the current Son Volt line up – keyboardist/steel guitarist Mark Spencer, bassist Andrew Duplantis, guitarist Chris Frame and drummer Mark Patterson – Farrar takes a slight turn from 2019’s politically pointed Union to a series of songs that asks questions rather than demanding answers – think of “Living in the U.S.A.” as Farrar’s version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” or Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power,” an anthem to unite the populace. “I had more time to devote to and concentrate on the writing,” says Farrar about his enforced quarantine. “We were fortunate in that we had just released Union and toured the country, so we were off cycle. It was still a rough year, but as a songwriter, I was able to make the most of it.” One listen to Electro Melodier, which opens with “Reverie,” describing Farrar’s contemplative state gazing out his window, enlivened with Mark Spencer’s “Wichita Lineman” guitar riffs and the lush Big Star melodies, and you wonder why no other rock ‘n’ roll bands or singer/songwriters are making albums like this about what we’re all going through. “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.” Listen to the Moog line from The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” channeled in “The Globe,” or the Led Zeppelin homage in “Someday Is Now,” the nod to gut-bucket Mississippi delta blues in the Lightnin’ Hopkins low-tuned guitar stylings of “War on Misery” or Spencer’s haunting slide on the funereal dirge of “The Levee On Down,” which takes Andrew Jackson to task for everything from the “Trail of Tears” massacre of the Cherokees to his face on the $20 bill instead of Harriet Tubman. The environmentally conscious “Arkey Blue” nods to a honky-tonk in Bandera, TX, Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar, where Hank Williams, Sr. allegedly carved his name into one of the wood tables, and even quotes Pope Francis on “turbulent rains never before seen.” “I’m just asking the same question, how can so much go wrong in a country that is held up as an example to the world of something righteous,” explains Farrar about songs like “Living in 30 JULY 2021 Son Volt Electro Melodier the U.S.A.,” in which you can hear doomsaying prophecies like Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction” set to the guitar riffs of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane.” Still based in St. Louis (“It kinda makes sense as a central location for touring because all the interstates connect through here”), Farrar was born in Belleville, IL, Farrar formed Uncle Tupelo with his high school classmate Jeff Tweedy. “We had similar musical interests and took it from there,” says Jay modestly about the groundbreaking group. Farrar is grateful to his wife of 25 years, a sentiment which he expresses lovingly on “Diamonds and Cigarettes” – featuring vocals by country singer Laura Cantrell, along with songs like the soulful “Lucky Ones” and “Sweet Refrain,” a song that captures the spirit of Bentonia, Mississippi, home of Skip James along with name checks for local legends Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and the Bluefront Cafe. “These are the Times” was recorded entirely remotely by Zoom, signaling one of the new methods of making music ushered in by Covid. With tour dates scheduled before the end of 2021, Son Volt is ready to return to what they know best after a welcome period of introspection. “It’s a good time to take stock of what’s lost and what’s gained,” said Farrar. “At this point, we’re not even sure what we’re going to get back.” The songs of Electro Melodier help remind us to be thankful of what we still have – new music from Jay Farrar and Son Volt. “Daylight brings the clues to the world to life/Make or break gotta do what it takes to survive.” “Sweet Refrain” Artist Son Volt Genre Americana / Country Label Transmit Sound Buying Options 1LP , 1LP Coloured Vinyl Format 1LP , Coloured Vinyl Condition New Country UK Track Listings 1. Reverie 2. Arkey Blue 3. The Globe 4. Diamonds and Cigarettes 5. Lucky Ones 6. War on Misery 7. Living in the USA 8. Someday is Now 9. Sweet Refrain 10. The Levee on Down 11. These Are the Times 12. Rebetika 13. The Globe / Prelude 14. Like You Share this On Facebook On Twitter Via Email More from Son Volt View Product Quick View Son Volt Day of the Doug Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP Released 16th June 2023 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Day of the Doug £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2024LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 16th June 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt Trace Americana / Country | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 1LP Released 10th July 2020 £24.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Son Volt Trace £24.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP2540 Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 10th July 2020 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket Paul's picks View Product Quick View Son Volt Union Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 29th March 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Union £16.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2020LP Formats: 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 29th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt The Search – Deluxe Reissue Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 6th April 2018 £24.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt The Search – Deluxe Reissue £24.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2018LP Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 6th April 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt Ballymena Americana / Country | Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers | 10", EP/Mini Album Released 24th November 2017 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Ballymena £13.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers SKU: TS20171 Formats: 10", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 24th November 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt Straightaways Americana / Country | Warner Bros | 180g, 1LP Released 21st January 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Straightaways £25.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Warner Bros SKU: MOVLP2913 Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 21st January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt Notes Of Blue Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP Released 24th February 2017 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Notes Of Blue £19.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS-2016-1 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 24th February 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt Honky Tonk Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 12th April 2013 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Honky Tonk £17.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: AROU91451 Formats: 1LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 12th April 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Son Volt American Central Dust Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP Released 12th October 2009 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt American Central Dust £20.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: UNILP13274 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 12th October 2009 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more from Son Volt Start again More from Americana / Country Matt's picks View Product Quick View Nikki Lane Denim & Diamonds Americana / Country | New West | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 23rd September 2022 £29.00 Select options Reserve View Reservations Nikki Lane Denim & Diamonds £29.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: New West Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 23rd September 2022 Reserve View Reservations Read More Select options View Product Quick View Richmond Fontaine We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River Americana / Country | Decor | 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 20th August 2021 £22.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Richmond Fontaine We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River £22.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Decor SKU: DECOR016LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 20th August 2021 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket View Product Quick View John Doe Fables in a Foreign Land Americana / Country | Fat Possum | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 20th May 2022 £18.00 Select options John Doe Fables in a Foreign Land £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Fat Possum Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 20th May 2022 Read More Select options View Product Quick View Damien Jurado Where Shall You Take Me? Americana / Country | Dead Oceans | 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 22nd May 2013 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Damien Jurado Where Shall You Take Me? £17.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Dead Oceans SKU: SC084DLXLP Formats: 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 22nd May 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Paul's picks View Product Quick View Sierra Hull 25 Trips Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP Released 28th February 2020 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Sierra Hull 25 Trips £22.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: 1166100580 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 28th February 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Old Crow Medicine Show 50 Years Of Blonde On Blonde Americana / Country | Sony Music | 2LP Released 5th June 2017 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Old Crow Medicine Show 50 Years Of Blonde On Blonde £21.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Sony Music SKU: 88985419941 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 5th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Various Artists Country Collected Americana / Country | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP Released 12th January 2024 £34.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Various Artists Country Collected £34.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP3602C Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 12th January 2024 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days Deluxe (Loser Edition) Americana / Country | Sub Pop | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 20th March 2019 £26.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days Deluxe (Loser Edition) £26.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Sub Pop SKU: SP1288X Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 20th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Love As Laughter Holy Americana / Country | Epic | 1LP Released 15th July 2008 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Love As Laughter Holy £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Epic SKU: 88697280881 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 15th July 2008 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Aaron Lee Tasjan Karma For Cheap Americana / Country | New West | 1LP Released 31st August 2018 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Aaron Lee Tasjan Karma For Cheap £15.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: New West SKU: NW5258 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 31st August 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more in Americana / Country Start again
View Product Quick View Son Volt Day of the Doug Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP Released 16th June 2023 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Day of the Doug £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2024LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 16th June 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt Trace Americana / Country | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 1LP Released 10th July 2020 £24.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Son Volt Trace £24.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP2540 Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 10th July 2020 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket
Paul's picks View Product Quick View Son Volt Union Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 29th March 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Union £16.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2020LP Formats: 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 29th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt The Search – Deluxe Reissue Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 6th April 2018 £24.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt The Search – Deluxe Reissue £24.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS2018LP Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 6th April 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt Ballymena Americana / Country | Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers | 10", EP/Mini Album Released 24th November 2017 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Ballymena £13.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers SKU: TS20171 Formats: 10", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 24th November 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt Straightaways Americana / Country | Warner Bros | 180g, 1LP Released 21st January 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Straightaways £25.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Warner Bros SKU: MOVLP2913 Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 21st January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt Notes Of Blue Americana / Country | Transmit Sound | 1LP Released 24th February 2017 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Notes Of Blue £19.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Transmit Sound SKU: TS-2016-1 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 24th February 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt Honky Tonk Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 12th April 2013 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt Honky Tonk £17.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: AROU91451 Formats: 1LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 12th April 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Son Volt American Central Dust Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP Released 12th October 2009 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Son Volt American Central Dust £20.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: UNILP13274 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 12th October 2009 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
Matt's picks View Product Quick View Nikki Lane Denim & Diamonds Americana / Country | New West | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 23rd September 2022 £29.00 Select options Reserve View Reservations Nikki Lane Denim & Diamonds £29.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: New West Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 23rd September 2022 Reserve View Reservations Read More Select options
View Product Quick View Richmond Fontaine We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River Americana / Country | Decor | 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 20th August 2021 £22.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Richmond Fontaine We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River £22.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Decor SKU: DECOR016LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 20th August 2021 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket
View Product Quick View John Doe Fables in a Foreign Land Americana / Country | Fat Possum | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 20th May 2022 £18.00 Select options John Doe Fables in a Foreign Land £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Fat Possum Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 20th May 2022 Read More Select options
View Product Quick View Damien Jurado Where Shall You Take Me? Americana / Country | Dead Oceans | 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released 22nd May 2013 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Damien Jurado Where Shall You Take Me? £17.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Dead Oceans SKU: SC084DLXLP Formats: 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve, Includes Download Code Released Date: 22nd May 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
Paul's picks View Product Quick View Sierra Hull 25 Trips Americana / Country | Rounder | 1LP Released 28th February 2020 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Sierra Hull 25 Trips £22.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Rounder SKU: 1166100580 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 28th February 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Old Crow Medicine Show 50 Years Of Blonde On Blonde Americana / Country | Sony Music | 2LP Released 5th June 2017 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Old Crow Medicine Show 50 Years Of Blonde On Blonde £21.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Sony Music SKU: 88985419941 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 5th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Various Artists Country Collected Americana / Country | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP Released 12th January 2024 £34.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Various Artists Country Collected £34.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP3602C Formats: 180g, 2LP Released Date: 12th January 2024 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days Deluxe (Loser Edition) Americana / Country | Sub Pop | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 20th March 2019 £26.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days Deluxe (Loser Edition) £26.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Sub Pop SKU: SP1288X Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 20th March 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Love As Laughter Holy Americana / Country | Epic | 1LP Released 15th July 2008 £18.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Love As Laughter Holy £18.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: Epic SKU: 88697280881 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 15th July 2008 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Aaron Lee Tasjan Karma For Cheap Americana / Country | New West | 1LP Released 31st August 2018 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Aaron Lee Tasjan Karma For Cheap £15.00 Genre: Americana / Country Label: New West SKU: NW5258 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 31st August 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders