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American Central Dust - Son Volt
American Central Dust Image
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Jay Farrar returns to Son Volt to release the band's sixth album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. The A.V. Club
    83
    This is Farrar's most consistent album in years, in large part because he no longer seems to be straining so much. American Central Dust shows Farrar in his comfort zone, recording songs he knows his fans will like, and not much caring whether his detractors get on board.
  2. Uncut
    60
    The song themselves are thoughtful, ambling between folk, country and mid-paced roots-rock. [Aug 2009, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Pitchfork
    37
    Son Volt's label debut, American Central Dust, is some of the sleepiest protest music ever made: Every song saunters by at a slow tempo, Farrar's voice sounds increasingly inexpressive, and John Agnello's production makes everything sound real purdy but lifeless.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. DebK
    8
    He is no Jeff Tweedy, but he taint half bad.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. clayH
    8
    I really like this effort by Jay and the boys this time around. It's not "Trace" of course, but it's not "The Search" either. The album is mature, solid, and soothing on various levels. Jay seems to have found his peace and wisdom which could be a blessing for all us fans. Hey Pitchfork, a 37 score get real! I guess being stranded in your "ivory tower" feels nice for you.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RL
    5
    Everything by Son Volt, including this new one, sounds the same...largely due to Farrar's monotonous, unchanging vocals and the generic, re-hashed quality of the tunes themselves.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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