Jay Farrar - Terroir Blues
KDUR - Durango, CO
CD OF THE MONTH
June 2003
Reviewed by Bryant Liggett

The second solo album from the former leader of Son Volt and half of the power and creativity behind the legendary Uncle Tupelo has created exactly what his fans are looking for. Simply put, another great record. Whereas Farrar's old bandmate Jeff Tweedy has moved into a direction of avant-guarde pop with Wilco, Farrar has remained exactly where Tupelo and Son Volt have left off, making fabulous roots Americana.

TERROIR BLUES is 23 songs of traveling emotion, and Farrar is expressing feelings in his songs that, if you are human, you have felt before. This album flows from beginning to end, and much like Sebastopol (Farrar's first solo record bearing his name only) it is mellow, catchy, and damn good. Farrar has definately left behind some of the punk influenced rock that was typical on Uncle Tupelo albums, but what he has held onto is the ability to write songs about places and situations that are pretty close to home. Start with "Cahokian" and move onto "California" and enjoy everything in between. I'm sure you will.