Uncle Tupelo clearly defined their nervy Gram Parsons-meets-the Minutemen
sound on their debut album, 1990's No Depression, and their 1991 follow-up,
Still Feel Gone, found them branching out into new variations of their
previously established themes. While No Depression was dominated by breakneck
tempos with the occasional slow, contemplative number thrown in for variety,
Still Feel Gone found Uncle Tupelo taking a closer look at the middle
ground, as evidenced by the high-strung acoustic guitars of "Still
Be Around," the measured but powerful Crazy Horse stomp of "Looking
for a Way Out," the lonesome shuffle of "True to Life,"
and the stark atmospherics of "If That's Alright" (the latter
of which in retrospect sounds like the first dawning of the ideas Jeff
Tweedy would explore with Wilco). But plenty of what made No Depression
so impressive is still on view here, including the brutal stutter-step
of "Gun," the simple but powerful declaration of "Watch
Me Fall," and the heartfelt tribute to an obvious influence, "D.
Boon." And if anything, the band sounds even more powerful this time
out, and the broader picture of their abilities only confirms how strong
a combination Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn really were. If
Still Feel Gone isn't as immediately impressive as No Depression, a few
plays confirms it's still the work of a gifted band at full strength,
and this reissue gives the album the special treatment it deserves.
(by Mark Deming, All
Music Guide)
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