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Son Volt — Live Free
Album: Trace
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 948









Released: 1995
Length: 3:07
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Looking for the right kind
Of live free or die

I want to see your smile through a pay phone
The season has changed
I want to see you in it
The lights that shine are caustic without you

When we're all passed over
The rhythm of the river will remain
And it will, it will remain

Nicotine and waiting
Just wanted to keep it alive
You turn and before you know it
We're just threading this needle for life

A brighter way is what you prove
Anesthetize is what you do

Someday we'll be together
Farther south than the train line
The Delta mud will be there
We're just living this way
Because we know no other

When we're all passed over
The rhythm of the river will remain
And it will, it will remain

Looking for the right kind
Of live free or die
Comments (55)add comment
Mondegreen time: “I want to see you slaughter a payphone.”
Posted 4 months ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
 membeth wrote:

Really? "This guy" would be Jay Farrar, who as part of Uncle Tupelo helped to launch alt country as a genre. Don't really think he's "trying to copy" Adam Duritz, who wasn't even famous yet.


Not sure who he's trying to imitate, or even if he is, but  Son Volt is sure to get skipped every time.
Posted 1 year ago by bigbargain    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:

This guy sounds a lot like the Counting Crows singer in this song....




Perhaps the acoustics aren't very good in that "Hovel in Damnville".
Posted 2 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I got myself a brand new Tube Amplifier... It's large and lovely and smells just like a dream...  I just love the exquisitely modulated distortion that Jay so confidently has his way with, and how his plaintive voice gets his feelings across so well! Rock on, and thanks sincerely, RP!
Posted 2 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
You see,

If you grew up in Belleville, IL you were hearing the confluence of RnR, country rock, red neck country, blues,  and punk. 

And drinking Stag Beer would only enhance this crazy confluence.  


Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Biscobret wrote:

Farar suffered more from Tweedy's loss than Tweedy did from Farar's.  Jay has that wonderful old-school country longing - but without an artistic/contemporary influence, it all starts to sound the same.  Jeff is an artist - absolutely - and win or fail, he's not afraid to tread new sonic ground.

my $.02

funny...I find Jay Farrar continually trying new things - certainly his voice is distinctive. I hear Jeff Tweedy and haven't appreciated him since Sky Blue Sky.
Except Mermaid Avenue - he and Billy Bragg hit something together on that album.
update: His new album is interesting - voice sounds great and so does the band

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
One of the top 5 Alt-Country albums of all time. 
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
(queue Butthead voice): Sun Volt RULES!!
Posted 4 years ago by jimvanders    [ Reply ]
 membeth wrote:

Really? "This guy" would be Jay Farrar, who as part of Uncle Tupelo helped to launch alt country as a genre. Don't really think he's "trying to copy" Adam Duritz, who wasn't even famous yet.
 
Adam who?
Posted 4 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
 saellig668552 wrote:
quite good music - BUT (as often this artist got played here) i cannot help it: something in his voice is dragging on my nerves, makes me and my ears tired, droned out, exhausted - i know its a matter of taste - but too much son volt around here...
 

My exact thoughts about Radiohead.  Except the 'good music' part.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
quite good music - BUT (as often this artist got played here) i cannot help it: something in his voice is dragging on my nerves, makes me and my ears tired, droned out, exhausted - i know its a matter of taste - but too much son volt around here...
Posted 5 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
what a great band.
I hold out hope of a UT reunion someday, though I understand the rift between Jay and Jeff runs DEEP
Posted 5 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
cheers from Finland!
Posted 5 years ago by eppu    [ Reply ]
One of my all-time favorite albums.  Good from start to finish.
Posted 5 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
This album reminds me of summers at the lake!  Love it 
Posted 5 years ago by tlbritton    [ Reply ]
Jay Farrar - Uncle Tupelo - growing up in Belleville, IL...

It explains so much.  
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Anybody recognize the amp in the background on the album cover?
 

"Farrar: I wanted to get back to playing electric guitar, and part of that meant bringing out the old Webster Chicago amplifier I used for the Son Volt record Trace — the amplifier on the cover of that record. It’s a low-powered amp that just delivers a big sound, and I just wanted to revisit the sound of that amp. It sort of represents a quintessential-sounding blues amplifier. Originally its life started out as an extension speaker for a wire recorder back in the 40s. I found it at a music shop in Los Angeles and someone had modified it to be a guitar amplifier."
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
the more I hear of this band, the more I like
Posted 6 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Anybody recognize the amp in the background on the album cover?

 
Uh, no.  But is it going to be on the test?
Posted 7 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 Biscobret wrote:
Farar suffered more from Tweedy's loss than Tweedy did from Farar's.  Jay has that wonderful old-school country longing - but without an artistic/contemporary influence, it all starts to sound the same.  Jeff is an artist - absolutely - and win or fail, he's not afraid to tread new sonic ground.

my $.02

 
I think you hit it. Like Lennon/McCartney (gritty authenticity vs. pop veneer), Farrar and Tweedy were two poles on the same magnet. Farrar's toeing the trad line is starkly contrasted with Tweedy's multitude adventures into new sounds/textures. In the end the sum of their parts doesn't equal what they made together. That said, Farrar's voice, IMHO, rings true—tho' I'm not sure that he's guilty of sameness; and Tweedy's adventures simply go on. Would that Lennon or McCartney were so fortunate.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
City Winery Napa - April 2014 - Jay Farrar solo w/ band - very impressive!
Posted 10 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 TimeWaster wrote:
Ok, so you know how a singer can sound pretty good on a record, but when you see them live, they never sound as good?

If this guy sounds this horrendous on a recording, I'd hate to hear him live...

 
Well you just seem to be a time waster.

Oh wait...
Posted 10 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Farar suffered more from Tweedy's loss than Tweedy did from Farar's.  Jay has that wonderful old-school country longing - but without an artistic/contemporary influence, it all starts to sound the same.  Jeff is an artist - absolutely - and win or fail, he's not afraid to tread new sonic ground.

my $.02
Posted 10 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
Anybody recognize the amp in the background on the album cover?
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Nice voice, nice guitar
Posted 11 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
Jay Farrar is a treasure. One of the best voices in American music, literally and figuratively.
Posted 12 years ago by RKeaton    [ Reply ]
 Hippostar wrote:


This guy sounds like a lot of guys he's trying to copy.  At least Adam Duritz can actually find and hit a single note.
 
Really? "This guy" would be Jay Farrar, who as part of Uncle Tupelo helped to launch alt country as a genre. Don't really think he's "trying to copy" Adam Duritz, who wasn't even famous yet.
Posted 13 years ago by membeth    [ Reply ]
Ok, so you know how a singer can sound pretty good on a record, but when you see them live, they never sound as good?

If this guy sounds this horrendous on a recording, I'd hate to hear him live...
Posted 13 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
This guy sounds a lot like the Counting Crows singer in this song....
 

This guy sounds like a lot of guys he's trying to copy.  At least Adam Duritz can actually find and hit a single note.

Posted 13 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
A little too eagerly earnest for my ears, guess I'll die.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Another of those bands that just resonates with me, for reasons I can't explain. I hear this, and I feel like there's hope again. {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
This guy sounds a lot like the Counting Crows singer in this song....
 
How dare you!

Posted 14 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
one of my desert island albums.  and it has been since 1995.  {#Cowboy}
 

Same here.
Posted 14 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
This guy sounds a lot like the Counting Crows singer in this song....
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
one of my desert island albums.  and it has been since 1995.  {#Cowboy}
 
This song does have terrific lyrics:

Looking for the right kind of live free or die...

I want to see your smile through a pay phone
The season has changed
I want to see you in it
The lights that shine are caustic without you.

When we're all passed over
The rhythm of the river will remain
And it will remain

Nicotine and waiting
Just wanted to keep it alive
You turn and before you know it
We're just threading this needle for life
A brighter way is what you prove
Anesthetize is what you do.

When we're all passed over
The rhythm of the river will remain
And it will remain

Someday we'll be together
Farther south than the train line
The Delta mud will be there
We're just living this way
Because we know no other

When we're all passed over
The rhythm of the river will remain
And it will remain

Looking for the right kind of live free or die...

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
one of my desert island albums.  and it has been since 1995.  {#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
I just saw online today that they are coming to Humphrey's here in San Diego w/ Cowboy Junkies on June 15th.  Awesome.  Two of my faves.
Posted 15 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
woohoo!!
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Whiniest, most nasal voice ever. Like Tom Petty x 1000. Horrid.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
This is REM from Fables of Reconstruction, isn't it?
Posted 16 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
We need to get a lot more Jay in general. I still haven't gotten new Son Volt.. have not been crazy about the one song that has gotten some airplay, not into the horns. Anyone out there like it/not like it? Son Volt still kills Wilco.... Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
Bug Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by MartiniSlacker    [ Reply ]
snakechaser wrote:
How do you get 'em played? I went over and rated a track from Trace the other day (Out of the Picture) in hopes that it would get some airtime.
Bug Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
madaxeman wrote:
I LOVE this.Brilliant.
Posted 17 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
I LOVE this.Brilliant.
Posted 17 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
greg6494 wrote:
woot! add the entire Trace track list! only 3 more to go (8 out of 11 tracks on playlist already!), and they are all great!
EXACTLY!!! Where's Cathing On???
Posted 17 years ago by rjs    [ Reply ]
jc005h wrote:
Indeed, the whole album is awesome...too bad the couple after weren't up to par
Trace would be hard for any one to follow up on, but the two that came after are still excellent albums.
Posted 17 years ago by rjs    [ Reply ]
Love Jay Farrar's voice - raspy and rough, but sounds good all the same.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
jc005h wrote:
Indeed, the whole album is awesome...too bad the couple after weren't up to par
How do you get 'em played? I went over and rated a track from Trace the other day (Out of the Picture) in hopes that it would get some airtime.
Posted 17 years ago by snakechaser    [ Reply ]
Bizzarefall wrote:
No like?
No sir, I don't like it!
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
greg6494 wrote:
woot! add the entire Trace track list! only 3 more to go (8 out of 11 tracks on playlist already!), and they are all great!
Indeed, the whole album is awesome...too bad the couple after weren't up to par
Posted 17 years ago by jc005h    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Arf! First to post, and quite possibly the first to change the station... That voice! Oof!
Freedom of Choice is a wonderful thing, Mojo.....
Posted 17 years ago by SPACEDOG    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Arf! First to post, and quite possibly the first to change the station...
No like?
Posted 17 years ago by Bizzarefall    [ Reply ]
woot! add the entire Trace track list! only 3 more to go (8 out of 11 tracks on playlist already!), and they are all great!
Posted 17 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
Arf! First to post, and quite possibly the first to change the station... That voice! Oof!
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]