Wide Swing Tremolo

by Son Volt

Overview

While Son Volt's first two albums, Trace and Straightaways, received critical acclaim, they are both very restrained and sparse works underlain with languidness. These albums hinted, in their best moments, at Son Volt's potential to both write beautiful songs and rock out, but the band never seemed to completely let loose and turn it up to 11. Part of this may stem from their eclectic mix of musical influences. While the juxtaposition of styles ranging from country to bar-band rock & roll has been the key to Son Volt's sound, it has also been a point of contention for those who have criticized them for not knowing what sort of band they wanted to be. Wide Swing Tremolo represents an attempt to somewhat break the mold of the earlier releases, especially from the intensely sparse Straightaways. Wide Swing Tremolo is a wide-open, rocking album with precious little of the overt country influences found on previous Son Volt works. Instead, this album is driven by R.E.M.-like arpeggio guitar riffs and muscular, warm rhythms. It's a strong album. ~ Matthew Hilburn

Product Details

Release Date:	10/06/1998
Label:	Warner Bros. / Warner Records
UPC:	0093624705925
Rank:	123124

Tracks

1. Straightface
2. Driving the View
3. Jodel
4. Medicine Hat
5. Strands
6. Flow
7. Dead Man's Clothes
8. Right on Through
9. Chanty
10. Carry You Down
11. Question
12. Streets That Time Walks
13. Hanging Blue Side
14. Blind Hope

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Son Volt   Primary Artist
David Barbe   Guest Artist
Dave Boquist   Fiddle,Guitar,Drums (Steel),Lap Steel Guitar,Viola
Michael Heidorn   Drums,Percussion
Eric Heywood   Pedal Steel,Drums (Steel)
Jay Farrar   Organ,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Dulcimer,Harmonica,Chamberlin,Piano (Electric)
Jim Boquist   Bass,Piano,Slide Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Mike Heidorn   Drums,Percussion

Technical Credits

Dave Boquist   Photography
Chuck Wagner   Photography,Art Direction
Frank Riley   Musician
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Jack Joseph Puig   Mixing
Jay Farrar   Mixing,Composer
Mike Heidorn   Musician
David Barbe   Mixing,Engineer,Group Member,Production Assistant
Son Volt   Producer
John Agnello   Mixing