List Price : $24.98 Price : $16.06
Album Description
RSD. 1 LP, 180 gram, litho wrap - long out of print
Amazon.com essential recording
After ripping it up on No Depression and Still Feel Gone, their first two albums of twangy punk rock, Uncle Tupelo unplugged for this remarkable tribute--half originals, half political and religious covers--to the band's old-time influences. While the new songs of frontmen Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy are consistently strong here (especially Farrar's "Grindstone"), it's the album's haunted covers of old folksongs that are the true keepers. Tweedy's apocalyptic version of "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and Farrar's earnest readings of the beat-down "Moonshiner" and the labor song "Coalminers" are as frightening, beautiful, and passionate as anything the band ever recorded. --David Cantwell
Amazon.com
After ripping it up on No Depression and Still Feel Gone, their first two albums of twangy punk rock, Uncle Tupelo unplugged for this remarkable tribute--half originals, half political and religious covers--to the band's old-time influences. While the new songs of frontmen Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy are consistently strong here (especially Farrar's "Grindstone"), the album's haunted covers of old folk songs are the true keepers. Tweedy's apocalyptic version of "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and Farrar's earnest readings of the beat-down "Moonshiner" and the labor song "Coalminers" are as frightening, beautiful, and passionate as anything the band ever recorded. The 2003 expanded and remastered edition adds three unreleased demos, a live version of "Moonshiner," and an instrumental B-side. --David Cantwell
March 16-20, 1992 (Vinyl) Reviews
March 16-20, 1992 (Vinyl) Reviews
| 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful  American and Essential, By This review is from: March 16-20 1992 (Audio CD) This is a fine roots album if ever there was one. Before Wilco, before Son Volt, there was Uncle Tupelo. And of all the Uncle Tupelo discs, this, in my mind, stands supreme. The songs alternate vocals between Jeff Tweedy and Jar Farrar. Farrar, in his preacher's baritone, tends to sing more politically oriented songs, songs of the early twentieth century, socialist songs focusing on coal miners unionizing or the ills of capitalism on the small man. Farrar's version of Moonshiner is like a priceless relic suspended in amber. Tweedy (his voice sounds younger and more contemporary than Farrar) also tackles some good old Americana in "I wish my Baby was Born" and "Satan, Your Kingdom must Come Down." Overall Tweedy leans more toward the personal and emotional while Farrar seems more comfortable with traditional ballads. Most of the songs are traditional tunes - folk songs, blues songs, spirituals. The guitar work is strong, with both men playing acoustic to fill out the sound... Read more 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful One of the finest pieces of American music ever made., By Daniel Johnson (danielj@cmc.net) (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews This review is from: March 16-20 1992 (Audio CD) That is a huge claim, but I believe, backed up by this remarkable album. It is at once timeless and immediate. It can be seen a story cycle, a classic look at America, as it starts with a man describing his working conditions as brutal and hopeless -"Grindstone"- and proceeds to depict scenes of madness, murder, undying love and biblical damnation. However, the album ends on a hopeful note with the song "Wipe the Clock" which suggests that there is redemption for all of us. This album is both a scathing critique of american gangster capitalism, the death penalty, nuclear power, but also believes in the healing power of love. The music is very spare, stripped down to bare bones acoustic, but is still some of the most haunting music ever put to wax. A very American album, you can hear all the musical echoes from the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, to anybody whoever sat on his front porch and plucked out a blues; from a Kentucky back holler to the Mississippi... Read more 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful Necessary., By "spanishjohnny" (Sydney, Australia.) - See all my reviews This review is from: March 16-20 1992 (Audio CD) Watershed release from seminal rockers come crooners come whatever. Produced by R.E.M' s Peter Buck, March... sees Jay and Jeff respectively trading blows of genius. Highlights include Farrar's protest ditty "Grindstone" and Tweedys brooding "Black Eye" but perhaps most significantly the two combine on this record for unbelievable results. Most notably the breathtaking "Moonshiner" and the instrumental "Sandusky". A classic in every sense of the word. The re release features early demos of "Grindstone" and "Atomic Power" as well as a live version of "Moonshiner". |
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