Seminal alt-country rockers Son Volt returned in February with Notes of Blue, a ruminating, blues-heavy collection of dark heartland songs. Jay Farrar’s characteristically precarious vocal stylings have been an alt-country staple since he formed Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy in the late 1980s. But beyond the critically acclaimed 1995 release Trace, Son Volt has had mild stylistic shifts, toggling mostly between expansively lonesome honky-tonk and fuzz rock. Notes of Blue is a definite nod to the band’s earlier sound, and the song “Back Against the Wall” shares themes of adversity and desperation with other tracks on the album. Farrar cites bluesmen Skip James and Mississippi Fred McDowell as current influences — heard in the open-tuned guitar and the simple refrain-type presentation of the lyrics. Friday night’s 3rd & Lindsley show is a great chance to see an influential, evolving band. CY WINSTANLEY
Son Volt w/Johnny Irion
