Uncle Tupelo - No Depression(1990)
Uncle Tupelo - No Depression(1990) = ****(out of 5)
Ripping, roaring, scorching, and just plain out loud are great words
to describe this first release from possibly the best band to ever come
along in music. No Depression defines punk/country to perfection with loud,
ripping guitars and slow twangy acoustics.
The trio of Jay Farrar(lead vocals/guitar), Jeff Tweedy(lead
vocals/bass), and Mike Heidorn(drums) start a new era in rock 'n roll with
a country sound. Like stated on my page, this is not a new form of music,
just a new era within. A tribute is paid to Uncle Tupelo for making this
new album and starting this era in music by people referring to all
alternative/country music as "No Depression."
This album, released in 1990, is one of many different sounds. If you
turn on the third track "Before I Break," possibly the most powerful song
on the album, and then listen to the fourth and title track on the album,
you may be very confused. "Before I Break" is one of the hardest songs on
the album and "No Depression" is the softest, most country on the disc.
Both Tweedy and Farrar contribute to this excellent record lyrically
and musically. Farrar uses a style of writing that is more creative and
interesting than Tweedy, though Tweedy is an excellent song writer. In my
opinion, anyone in the world trying to compete with Jay Farrar lyrically
is just out of luck and will be forced to be looked on as "second" behind
him.
Practically every song on No Depression is about alcohol and the abuse
of it. This reflects what the band was going through at this time in their
lives. In order for a person to get the true feel of this bands evolution,
he or she would need to start with this first album and analyze the bands
changes in music and vocals through their maturity and aging.
--Tim Prizer