Uncle Tupelo never struck a finer balance between
rock and
country than on
Anodyne, their major-label debut and parting shot. For all of the ill will undoubtedly simmering throughout these sessions,
Jay Farrar and
Jeff Tweedy have never before been more attuned to each other musically; where earlier records often found the band's twin forces moving in opposing directions,
Anodyne bears the full fruits of their shared vision. Recorded live in the studio, the album encompasses and reinterprets not only
country-rock (evidenced by the group's pairing with
Doug Sahm on his
"Give Back the Key to My Heart"), but also
traditional country (the tribute to the songwriting legacy of
"Acuff-Rose"),
rock (the churning
"The Long Cut," "Chickamauga"), and
folk (
"New Madrid," "Steal the Crumbs"), the band's reach never once exceeding its grasp. [The 2003 reissue of
Anodyne on
Rhino adds five bonus tracks: three previously unreleased tracks and two live songs that were only available on a promo-only disc issued in 1994 called
The Long Cut + Five Live. The three studio cuts are a mixed bag.
"Stay True" is a fairly tuneless
hard rock tune penned by
Jay Farrar that features thundering riffs and ham-handed soloing,
"Wherever" is a heartbroken and lovely
ballad written by
Jeff Tweedy that easily could have fit on the album proper, and
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" is a rollicking stab at one of
Waylon Jennings' best tunes with
Joe Ely joining in on vocals and guitar. The two live cuts -- a raw take on the truck driver's anthem
"Truck Drivin' Man" and a long workout on
Dale Hawkins'
"Suzie Q" -- are fun and full of energy. Too bad
Rhino didn't include the other three songs that were on the
The Long Cut + Five Live. Still, with the comprehensive liner notes, improved sounds, and mostly worthwhile bonus tracks, this is a great document for fans of the band.] ~ Jason Ankeny