Son Volt
Honky Tonk
Rounder Records
I still vividly recall that winter’s night back in 1993 when I was first introduced to Uncle Tupelo. As a freshman in university, I had been out imbibing all night with friends at the local watering hole downtown. We returned to one of my buddies’ houses where a few more beverages ensued. That’s when said friend put Anodyne into the stereo. Immediately I was hooked. The harmony of Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy rang true to my ears. Songs such as the title cut with memorable lines like “fearlessness you can not fathom,” and “loneliness drinks the bitters.”
This was my introduction to that thing we call Americana music. Uncle Tupelo lead me back to discover artists that paved the way for their unique sound before and after. To this day, Anodyne still stands as one of my Top 5 records and would definitely be one I would take with me if I was ever stranded on a deserted island.
