This is a good album to listen to when drunk and mellow
Uncle Tupelo was one of the most influential alternative rock bands of all time. Sucessfully merging rock and roll with Gram Parsons-esque country, folk, and bluegrass, their influence can be heard today in the ragged sounds of the Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, and Slobberbone. This, 1993's Anodyne, is the last album the band made, and they went out with a bang.
The styles of this album range between Jay's melancholy downbeat cries, and Jeff's funny upbeat poppy songs. Both songwriters have fully emerged at this point, and despite the fact that they couldn't get along at this point, they both made some of the best music of their career on this release. "Slate" and the title track are both beautifully heartbreaking songs, while Jeff gets his rocker pose out on "The Long Cut" and "We've Been Had," an attack on the music industry.
Later, hippie rock star Doug Sahn comes on board for a energetic version of "Give Back The Key To My Heart," which might be my favorite on the album. "Chickamauga" has a breakneck pace with a furious guitar solo.
The album loses steam a little bit near the end. High Water kinda drags along, and No Sense In Lovin' is decent. Had they got rid of those 2 songs, I would've gave this a 5. However, the sad refrain of Steal The Crumbs makes up for it.
This is a fantastic album, a little bit off the path, but accesiable enough for the modestly interested. Buy it now. It's a different kind of road trip.
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