Last week I found Trace in the CD bins for $1.99 and took a chance because I had heard good things about it:




This past Sunday afternoon while driving around in my car I was pleasantly surprised to find how good it was. Is this their best one? I see that it was released in 1995. What else of theirs would you recommend next? Keep in mind that I know nothing about any of the musicians in this band. Thanks.

Wide Swing Tremolo would be your next step into the Son Voltage...

Trace is easily their best, and Harry is right that Tremelo is probably next.

Trace is definitely their best. Awesome album all around.

Trace is #1 by a country mile. It's one of the great 90's records, I think.

Straightaways has some nice moments, but was regarded as a bit of a disappointment because it's rather dirgey and slow, especially during the 2nd half of the album.

I'd go with -

-Straightaways = over the years I've come to like it more than 'Trace'
-Wide Swing Tremolo (which contains one of Jay's greatest songs in 'Medicine Hat'
-Terroir Blues

Man I would like that song so much more if the chorus wasn't so awkward.

Other than lyrics it's the part of the song i find the most interesting

5. Creosote - brilliant
6. Cemetary Savior - rocks
7. Last Minute Shakedown - good
8. Been Set Free - THIS is the one in question
9. No More Parades - one of his best
10. Way Down Watson - I heart this song

I've come to think this is his best work...so underrated too.

I don't really get why people like Trace so much more than anything else he's done. Its good but it doesn't stand out that much in his collection to me.

trace is easily their best and it's the only one i've heard. i just don't like farrar that much. as is obvious enough anyway, i'm more of a tweedy guy.

Where does Okemah fit into the scheme of things? It's the only one I have heard and man do I love that one. One of my 2005 top most favorites, actually.

I would actually rank Okemah up there just under Trace, but thats just me.

Okemah actually gets a little more play time.

Most long-time Son Volt fans will probably say it doesn't compare. But I think it is probably as good as any thing he's done... fitting in right after WST, Trace... even with Straightaways.

I think you can like Tweedy and Farrar both. Farrar is clearly more one note.... but it's a fine note.

Trace = top 100 album

the rest = still great.

Follow up - how could you not have heard this before now?

I've never understood all of the hate (or supposed hate) for Sebastopol.

Anyway, I also think Trace is the best.

Ishtar is the only movie I've ever seen and it's easily the greatest movie ever made.

Perfect.

Okemah is criminallly underrated. It's Son Volt's second best imo, and jet pilot is the greatest anti-bush song. Farrar is as good as a traditional song writer there is.
Trace might be my favorite album is of the 90's.

I've actually been meaning to buy some Son Volt, so thanks for the thread, sp.

for some reason, my ears were filled with crack when I firsr heard Son Volt, cos after a forced-re-listening-session, TRACE has my whole hearted support.

Hearing you say this makes me wanna hear more, givem the similarities in our tastes.

yeah. i make that statement all the time, haven't you noticed?

but it seems to be pretty accurate based on what people that have heard them all are saying, isn't it?

I don't have to listen to every Britney Spears album to know that I don't want to listen to the rest of them.

I saw Jay Farrar with Canyon and actually listened to Terroir Blues a couple of times and loved "Fool King's Crown" but frankly, I know what he sounds like and I've had enough of it. When Jay Farrar gets interesting, let me know because I know you suckers will still be listening.

I agree with most above. Trace>>>>>>>>>Wide Swing...>>>>Straightaways.

I haven't heard Okemah yet but stay away from Fararr's solo stuff unless you enjoy boring music.