[rating=3.50]
On Son Volt’s new album, American Central Dust, Jay Farrar only plays an acoustic guitar, not its electric counterpart. The bandleader’s choice of instruments is as much a direct reflection of the overall approach he applies to the album as the choice of label for which Son Volt debuts. Rounder Records has become one of America’s primary independent music distributors, largely by focusing on the folk, blues and country music that form the foundation of Farrar’s new songs.
Gentle vocal harmonies equal in prominence to accordion soften the somewhat startling imagery of the opening cut “Dynamite,” as the foursquare drumming of Dave Bryson and deep bass of Andrew Duplantis mirror its resolute tone. Electric piano from Mark Spencer appears at the forefront of "Down to the Wire," but it’s muted to dovetail with the understated strum of Chris Masterson’s electric guitar. "Strength and Doubt" combined with "Jukebox of Steel" provide an upbeat sequence to offset what’s often forlorn, but nonetheless provocative, among these dozen tracks.
American Central Dust continues the Jay Farrar’s increasingly topical approach to songwriting. Incisive commentary comprises "When the Wheels Don’t run No More" and “Exiles” because the source of inspiration, while obvious, is still open to interpretation. Farrar’s credibility also rises because of the equanimity he evinces in "Roll On." "…every Don Quixote must have his day…”: The guarded optimism in that phrase finds its instrumental equivalent in the soft melodious acoustic piano at the foundation of "Cocaine and Ashes." The sad lull of the single violin Eleanor Whitmore plays here is equally effective.
The sounds of pedal steel which dominate "Dust of Daylight" appears as often throughout American Central Dust as the similarly tart tone of lap steel, the combination of which textures hearkens back to Son Volt’s earliest recordings in the wake of the demise of Uncle Tupelo. Yet the sound of this band is much more distinct now, and, like the songs of Jay Farrar, more clear in their intent and the impression they will make.
