Music Review

Okemah and the Melody of Riot (2005)

EW's GRADE
B

Details Release Date: Jul 12, 2005; Lead Performance: Son Volt; Genres: Country, Rock

Formed in 1994 by Jay Farrar after splitting with Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jeff Tweedy (who then headed up Wilco), Son Volt have always been a scrappy little country-punk act. On Okemah and the Melody of Riot, their first studio album in seven years, Farrar's perfectly ramshackle voice still delivers his oblique lyrics, but now it's backed by a tighter, revamped lineup — like the antiques shop off the highway just got some nice new shelving.

Originally posted Jul 08, 2005 Published in issue #829 Jul 15, 2005 Order article reprints

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