No Depression

Which of the following is the most important and influential American album, Nirvana's "Nevermind" or Uncle Tupelo's "No Depression"? These two albums which were released within about a year of each other have had a huge and profound impact. Certainly were it a contest over record sales the answer would be easy since "No Depression" has barely shifted much more than 50,000 copies when Nevermind used to sell that number on a daily basis. But in terms of influence "grunge" was a passing phase while Alternative Country deepens, develops and mutates in all directions and Uncle Tupelo can claim with some large justification to be the fountain-head for this."No Depression" is the debut album of this band from Belleville, Illinois comprising Jay Farrar (vocals, guitar); Jeff Tweedy (vocals, bass); Mike Heidorn (drums). Of course, the first two musicians went on to form two of the most influential US bands ever namely in Farrar's case "Son Volt" and for Tweedy the great "Wilco". But is all started in Uncle Tupelo and an album which is not necessarily their best but which created a genre and a wider movement. "No Depression" did of course become synonymous as a term with alternative country and also gave its name to the periodical which did so much to bring to the attention of the wider world bands like the Drive by Truckers, Gillian Welch and Whiskeytown. The music on "No Depression" is not earth shattering but what it does is mix country with rock, folk and punk and come up with an incendiary product which crafts all these elements into a powerful cocktail. The band's most crucial factor however was timing since for those music lovers fed up with some of the dour post-punk bands of that era (e.g. Fugazi and Jesus Lizard) the arrival of Uncle Tupelo were the proverbial "comet hitting the ground". "No Depression" is essentially a Jay Farrar led album. It is hard to recall through the prism of hindsight provided by Wilco's domination of American music that Jeff Tweedy was the junior partner here. Indeed as his songwriting skills and confidence grew the tensions between Farrar and Tweedy became volcanic and led to their acrimonious split in 1994. In that time they produced four great albums with "No Depression" setting out the manifesto in very harsh terms.The best songs on the album are the great rocking opener "Graveyard shift" where Farrar sets out that deep country voice which is so instantly recognisable and the punk ethic which can sometimes be "Pogues like" in its raucous intensity. It is followed by a set of great songs. "That year" is pure Carter Family crossed with the Ramones, while "Before I break" has the harshest of vocals from Farrar and a burning guitar backdrop. "Factory Belt" with its stop-start opening is almost like the Replacements in its sheer pop power albeit with a twist of country. "Train" alternatively starts as a Tweedy led song with power chords and a great vocal and prefigures some of the songs on "Summerteeth" until it breaks into an all out stomp. "Whiskey Bottle" is generally acknowledged to be the best song on the album and displays much more light and shade than many of the country punk thrashes. It is all aching slide guitars and a brilliant world weary vocal by Farrar. Even the most casual observer will recognise that the collected works of Richmond Fontaine owes a huge debt to this song. The take on the traditional song "John Hardy" is a pure jumping joy, while in terms of extras the version of Gram Parsons "Sin City" is much stripped back and much more "Mid West" than the original."No Depression" prefigured the division between Farrar's more traditionalist approach to country and Tweedy's later experimental music. It remains a fundamental statement of intent and had the X factor which unleashed thousands of other bands into the great alt-country genre. Great songs were to follow including the wonderful "Chickamauga", Tweedy's "New Madrid" and the aching "Moonshiner", but "No Depression" retains its special place as an inspirational source of huge and continuing resonance. It's said that everyone who heard the Velvet Underground's seminal debut formed a band it appears that this feat was repeated with "No Depression" which is the sign of true worth.

In case you were wondering whether it was worth replacing the 2003 remaster of this album that you already own, the answer is a definite yes. 'I Got Drunk' and 'Left In The Dark', which really should have been on that previous CD are now present and are highlights of the first disc.The demo disc is largely almost as great as the album in its own way with only a few poorer quality tracks tagged on to the end for bonus curiosity value. Classic and worthy stuff, even if it is a re-reissue.

"Alt-country?"? There are all sorts of influences here. A country base with strong elements not of rock but heavy rock, with some punkish beats thrown in. The first track, "Graveyard Shift" takes you straight in to their storming full on sound and is my favourite. The better known "Whisky Bottle" my second. The title track is a lighter, hopeful, song. The first three tracks are a little too similar, but good nonetheless. It reminds me most of a pumped up Lynyrd Skynyrd. Briilant stuff

The start of Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt and Wilco can be found in this first album. Great rawness and a really strong garage type sound well worth a listen.

I have the original album so it was good to get all the extra tracks.Uncle Tupelo helped introduce me to Alternate Country or Americanaand I have since built a large collection including all their work. Theyreally define the era. Jay Farrar is one of my favourite sigers but I never really followed Wilco who have deviated away from this genre.

Good album worth adding to your collection

Bought on the basis of reviews and the track record of the personnel involved. I had high expectations but am left a little disappointed. Some quite indistinctive material, which I hoped repeated listening would help me appreciate it more. All that happened was show me that it all became a bit samey, and a bit 'so what'. Doesn't live up to the hype for me

Most people start with Anodyne which is teir most acceible album. No depression is the way to start though. It a raw mix of rock, Replacements way, and what could be named Americana in the making. A really great record.