Wide Swing Tremolo
Son Volt · 1998
45 min · 14 tracks · alternative country
A blend of introspective lyrics and textured instrumentation that captures the essence of Americana through a modern lens.
Top tracks — play these first
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Driving the View — This track showcases a compelling narrative style coupled with soaring melodies, highlighting the band's ability to weave storytelling into their music.
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Medicine Hat — With its evocative imagery and heartfelt delivery, this song encapsulates the emotional landscape that defines much of the album's appeal.
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Streets That Time Walks — The closing track offers a reflective tone and rich instrumentation, leaving listeners with a sense of nostalgia and contemplation.
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 textured arrangements, though it follows established genre conventions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a shift to more upbeat rhythms in the second and third tracks.
- Several songs feature layered instrumentation, including pedal steel and electric guitar, creating a rich soundscape characteristic of Americana.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, with 'Hanging Blue Side' ending on a quiet note that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- 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
- wistful reflections on quiet drives
- dynamic journey through varied pacing
- introspective moments for solitude
- brief interludes that surprise
- thoughtful soundscapes for contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Wide Swing Tremolo is Son Volt's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed debut, Trace. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their place within the alternative country genre while navigating line-up changes and evolving their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Uncle Tupelo· Wilco· Ryan Adams
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Straightface 3:02
- 2 Driving the View 2:57
- 3 Jodel 0:41
- 4 Medicine Hat 4:12
- 5 Strands 5:05
- 6 Flow 2:18
- 7 Dead Man's Clothes 2:46
- 8 Right on Through 3:08
- 9 Chanty 1:27
- 10 Carry You Down 3:27
- 11 Question 4:00
- 12 Streets That Time Walks 5:23
- 13 Hanging Blue Side 3:41
- 14 Blind Hope 3:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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