Uncle Tupelo - 89/93: An Anthology
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Free Music Notes for 89/93: An Anthology
Free Music Review: The Birth of Legends
Hit: 5 Stars
I hearily agree with the reviewer who commented that that this was one of the greatest anthologies he ever bought. To have a collection of twenty one songs written by the modern geniuses Jeff Tweedy and Jay Ferrar is indeed quite a treat. As you probably know, Uncle Tupelo was responsible for starting and stimulating the 'alt-country' genre that is so oftenly mentioned today. Countless bands try to mimic and recreate this sound, but very few have gotten the sound right like Uncle Tupelo did. The formula was a combination of country mountain twang, punk rock energy and an earnest, heartfelt delivery. Uncle Tupelo had this methodology down to a tee, and the resultant songs are proof thereof. On 89/93, eleven of the songs are Jay's, and ten are Jeff's. Although it was implied that this was more Jay's band, I think that Jeff wrote the best songs. 'Black Eye' is one of the most beautiful songs the band ever recorded. The cover of Iggy Pop's 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' is just flat out awesome. Fatal Wound is a great but infinitely sad song that foreshadows Jeff's mastery of melancholy on his Wilco albums Being There and Summerteeth. The last track, 'We've Been Had', is amazing too. Jeff sang with all the passion of a disillusioned twentysome year old with absolutely no where to go, and I think that wandering enthusiasm is what this band showed best. It's probably obvious by now that I prefer Tweedy and Wilco over Ferrar and Son Volt, but Jay was the founder of this band, and he wrote a number of incredible songs too. 'I Got Drunk' is so plain, but it's so good and so true. 'Looking For A Way Out' is a beautiful acoustic number that further illustrated how these guys were ramblin' men. And the wonderful 'Sauget Wind' is as pretty of a song as you'll hear anywhere. These guys made indispensable music, and 89/93 chronicles their greatness wonderfully. I recommend this to all listeners.Free Music Review: Influential and Legendary
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard Uncle Tupelo in 1990 mainly because I lived in the same hometown. I am so glad I did, because my tastes broadened and I learned to love all genres of music.UT's first album, No Depression, combined the grind and dirt of Dinosaur Jr. with the heartache and twang of country music. The result was a brilliant work that woke up others around the country to help kickstart the current "alternative country" movement. The growth of the band can be heard here as the songs progress to the end of the disk. Any fan of country/country rock should check this out. Actually, any fan of great music should check this out, period! Anyone who knows music can hear revolutionary sounds on this disk.
This is a great starter and really only hints at the greatness found within the group's four albums. From "Graveyard Shift", the first track on No Depression, to the final notes on Anodyne, their last album, you will hear the songwriting that truly did influence a generation.
This band is remarkable and 12 years later I still listen to all 4 albums on a regular basis. My hometown may be lacking in many areas, but I may never have heard of Uncle Tupelo had I not lived there. That really does make the years spent in Belleville worth it. I can't picture my life without UT.
You will not just like this band, you will love it. Anyone who listens to and buys this album will listen to the others. All my ramblings may sound melodramatic, but I am trying to state how great this band was. Take a listen and enjoy.
Free Music Review: Does the job nicely
Hit: 5 Stars
At the risk of being branded a heretic, I will venture the opinion that not everything this incredibly influential band touched turned to gold, so a well-chosen greatest hits package is just the thing for novices and the curious, and that's exactly what this album is.The songs are presented in a basically chronological order, so you can trace the band's development over the course of their four albums. Each album is represented with multiple songs, and the B-sides and rarities aren't just collector bait, they easily merit a place on the record--especially "Sauget Wind" and a wonderful cover of the Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog." I could take or leave the live version of "We've Been Had," however--the album track (from Anodyne) would have been a better choice.
Still, 89/93 is a good value and a great introduction to one of the better bands of the 90's. The album tracks are well-chosen, I'm glad that the rarities are generally available, and the liner notes are well worth a read. I would not hesitate to recommend this as the UT album to buy to anyone who was going to buy only one UT album, and isn't that the ultimate test of a greatest-hits package?
Free Music Review: Heart felt folk-punk
Hit: 5 Stars
...or sometimes you would have to say punk-folk, or somewhere in between.
I first heard this in a record shop, immediately bought it and have played the bejesus out of it ever since. If you appreciate American acoustic folk mixed together with a hard electric feedback edge and some thought provoking lyrics - then you'll love UT. I have never heard such a unique blend of sound as these guys have produced, and its a shame that Farrar and Tweedy split. My favorites are: Whiskey Bottle - which contrasts Liquor & Guns vs. Jesus; Sauget Wind - depicting the cancerous cost of our consumer oriented society; and Still Be Around - love vs. drink. I know UT is placed in the "Alt-Country" genre, but to my ears they are definitely more folk than country - especially most of the songs on Anthology.
I have since gotten all of the other UT CDs, as they have all been re-issued and are widely available now. Without a doubt the best one is Anodyne, and the title track of this CD should have been on the Anthology. But don't despair, go out and get it as well. And maybe, someday, Farrar and Tweedy will hook up again!
Free Music Review: Excellent Anthology
Hit: 5 Stars
This is really the band that launched a million bands. I've never spent a whole lot of time listening to UT's early stuff, although I own it all. Someone did a great job of picking through it and putting a lot of great stuff together... a great UT mix tape. I still think Anodyne was their finest hour, but there is a lot here to recommend it, even if you already have the original issues. The acoustic version of looking for a way out is very cool, that was always one of my favorite UT songs, but I always preferred the acoustic stuff myself.My only quibble is with the choices from Anodyne... no "Key to My Heart"??? Anyway, you should have that whole album anyway. I've been listening to this ever since I got it, it never quite has the impact of a five star CD, but I can't stop listening to it. Maybe it's just knowing what was coming next...
My wish would have been for a reunion track. Come on, just one song, guys? Both your bands are breaking up. The time is now.