a brief uncle tupelo overview
“I’m goin’ where there’s no depression,” sang Jay Farrar on the title track to Uncle Tupelo‘s debut album, No Depression. It was a Carter Family cover — that line miles-deep in its meanings — and though Jay, bassist Jeff Tweedy and drummer Mike Heidorn came from punk-rock (huge SST fans, as are all civilized folk), the Carter Family and its folky ilk had an enormous impact on their music, and, in turn, Uncle Tupelo had an enormous — albeit specific — impact on our musical culture.
From No Depression and its superior (and overlooked) follow-up Still Feel Gone came the alt-country movement, bands like the Bottle Rockets and Jayhawks and Old ’97s and on and on. But more than anyone, there was Uncle Tupelo.
Still Feel Gone and March 16-20, 1992, their intimate folk album recorded with Peter Buck (a masterpiece but essential for Tweedy’s “Black Eye” alone), are the two masterpieces. (Anodyne, their last, is beloved but overrated aside “New Madrid.”) Here are my favorites, album by album:
No Depression: “No Depression,” “That Year” and “Whiskey Bottle” (despite being overwrought)
Still Feel Gone: “Looking for a Way Out,” “Punch Drunk” (LOVE this one), “Cold Shoulder” and, with the reissue we get “Sauget Wind,” the first 7-inch I ever bought. One of the Tupelo’s all-time great songs, and a tough one to find. You need it.
March 16-20, 1992: “Black Eye,” “Coalminers,” “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down,” “Atomic Power,” “Fatal Wound” & “Sandusky”
An incredible catalogue, and one of my all-time favorite bands.
Hey thanks Yancey, I had no idea Uncle Tupelo stuff had arrived. Always wanted to check some out.
People who like outside country should definitely check out Townes Van Zandt – emusic has a great collection of it. I recently picked up Delta Momma Blues and loved it; looking forward to getting some more.
this story is pretty funny. wait for it:
I’ll throw my request to know if the new Son Volt will be on eMusic here, too. It actually fits here!
And how can you leave out Gun from Still Feel Gone?
hey jordan –
the new son volt is on rounder, which we don’t carry, so no to that.
and i thought someone might bring up “gun”! that song has always driven me crazy. can’t tell you why, but i’ve just always hated it. it’s a beloved track, i know!
Thanks-I saw some Rounder on here, but wasn’t sure if this was coming.
As far as Gun goes, what is it that you hate?
I think “Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down” might be my favorite.
That said, I’m almost glad Uncle Tupelo broke up, despite being one my favorite bands. Why? Because it lead to Wilco and Son Volt, who are two of my favorite bands.
Has anyone heard the new Son Volt yet? It’s on my list to pick up and most of the reviews I’ve seen have been generally positive, but Pitchfork sure crushed it. While I take everything any reviewer says (not just Pitchfork) with a grain of salt, the complete negativity of that review really got my attention. Please tell me that it was wrong!
Craig
the cover of ccr’s “effigy” from no alternative also makes any list of best-ever uncle tupelo songs.
craig i wouldn’t put too much stock in pfork on son volt — just not their audience. i say that but i haven’t truly loved a son volt record since “trace” (“straightaways” was pretty great too) so maybe i’m not in their audience anymore either.
That’s what I figured on the Pitchfork thing. Like I said I take all reviews with a grain of salt (there are plenty of albums Pitchfork or others panned that I’ve loved). Just more or less confirming that what I expect to be on a Son Volt record is what I’ll find on this one.
Thanks for the info.
Craig
Anodyne is overrated? I’ve got all of these records – it is the best by far.
eMusic and SONY go together like Farrar and Tweedy.
I have to agree with 335
I love all these records, but Anodyne is not overrated, it is probably my favorite record. I do often feel March doesn’t get the love it deserves.