Son Volt, "American Central Dust"

Released July 7, 2009

Three of five stars

If I'm Jay Farrar, I'm miffed.

He wasn't exactly best buddies with bandmate Jeff Tweedy when he busted up Uncle Tupelo. And while Farrar debuted Son Volt behind three decent records and a recognizable sound, pretty soon the band disappeared.

Meanwhile, Tweedy put together various lineups of Wilco and began a slow, ambitious drive upward. Each CD topped the last, both in sonic experimentation (at least until recently) and lyrical maturity. They sell more records, sell out bigger halls -- and constantly surprise.

If you're Farrar, that's got to sting a little. What worse is he can't escape constant comparisons -- virtually every article about Son Volt brings up Wilco, but few stories about Wilco mention Farrar's band.

Is that fair? Son Volt is better than ever, producing three distinctive albums in the past five years: the Crazy Horse-esque "Okemah and the Melody of Riot"; "The Search" and its "Got To Get You Into My Life"-style horns; and the band's latest, "American Central Dust".

It's good, rocking Americana -- the sort of record you expect Son Volt to make (with a dash more twang). Farrar is comfortable here, and his lyrics show it -- less wordy, less preachy.

"Down to the Wire" has a nice easy groove. "Roll On" is perfect for a twilight run down an Indiana highway.

 And "Dust of Daylight" would be right at home on a Waffle House jukebox.