In House #1820: Son Volt's The Search Out Tomorrow; New Wilco

Marking two albums into Jay Farrar's resurrection of Son Volt, the band releases The Search tomorrow. As you may recall, it was just a few short months ago that we were talking about Farrar's collaboration with Anders Parker known as Gob Iron. On the heels of finishing off a tour supporting that act's Death Songs For the Living, the ever-prolific Farrar returns with another set of songs for the new Son Volt line-up that follow along the lines of 2005's rather electrified Okemah & the Melody of Riot at the same time that they occasionally hearken back to to early efforts like Trace. On the one hand, the band rocks out with its politics out on the brief but charged "Satellite." On the other, they're joined by songstress Shannon McNally on the outstanding "Highway & Cigarettes," a road-weary tune that brings to mind Farrar's mid '90's duets with Kelly Willis on Lowell George's "Truckstop Girl," and Townes Van Zandt's "Rex's Blues" (VIDEO). Most surprising, though, is the Memphis-riffing horn section on the album's most immediately enjoyable track, "The Picture," a piece that sounds wholly unlike anything Farrar has done before. Son Volt begins an extensive tour later this month with the Magnolia Electric Co., beginning March 26th in Bellingham, Washington.

Son Volt circa 2007

In House #1820.
Airdate: 3/5/07
Focus: New release out tomorrow from Son Volt, The Search, plus new music from Wilco, Bright Eyes, The Silos, and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Son Volt, from The Search:

"The Picture" (MP3)

Wilco, from Sky Blue Sky (due 5/15):

"What Light" (MP3)

Bright Eyes, from the Four Winds EP (due tomorrow):

"Four Winds" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #269