Straightaways
Son Volt · 1997
40 min · 10 tracks · alternative country
Melodic alternative country intertwines with reflective lyrics, creating an atmospheric exploration of personal and social themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Caryatid Easy — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its lush instrumentation and introspective lyrics, inviting listeners into Son Volt's world.
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Cemetery Savior — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics that grapple with themes of mortality and memory, this track exemplifies the emotional depth of the album.
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Been Set Free — This song captures a sense of liberation and reflection, balancing hope with melancholy, making it a standout moment on the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and production, contributing to its solid standing in the alt-country genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a gradual increase in tempo and energy through the first half.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with guitars and keyboards intertwining to create a rich sonic landscape.
- The lyrics often explore personal and social themes, with a storytelling approach that varies in perspective across different songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective tracks for quiet evenings
- rich instrumentation for deep listening
- for road trip soundtracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Straightaways' was released in April 1997, Son Volt was building on the success of their acclaimed debut album, 'Trace.' This sophomore effort arrived amidst a flourishing alt-country scene and showcased the band's evolution as they navigated personal loss and broader societal issues through their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Uncle Tupelo· Wilco· Ryan Adams
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Cemetery Savior
A pivotal verse shifts focus from personal grief to a broader contemplation of legacy, intertwining individual loss with universal themes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Caryatid Easy 4:43
- 2 Back Into Your World 3:43
- 3 Picking Up the Signal 3:45
- 4 Left a Slide 5:10
- 5 Creosote 4:10
- 6 Cemetery Savior 3:12
- 7 Last Minute Shakedown 4:03
- 8 Been Set Free 4:33
- 9 No More Parades 3:19
- 10 Way Down Watson 3:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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