Jay Farrar - Terroir Blues

Farrar is one of the godfathers of alt-country, having forged a fusion of punk and country with Jeff Tweedy in Uncle Tulepo and then in his own band, Son Volt (Tweedy went on to form Wilco). Farrar’s solo work, however, is more folk than thrash or twang. His latest album evokes Harvest-era Neil Young on “California,” with its moaning vocals, and John Fahey on “Out on the Road,” with its dreamy flute and droning guitar. Too laid back by half, Farrar’s music could use a fresh injection of punk voltage.