Son Volt - Union

Billed as a reaction to the travails and turmoil brought on by today’s political climate, Union makes no attempt to deny the irony of its title. With his ragged vocals front and center, Farrar and his band’s latest line-up purvey a somber sound that’s occasionally mournful yet still assured and certain. The sentiments are unmistakable; “99 percent, it’s a trickle down world… stuck in cement,” Farrar declares on the sullen and sobering “The 99.” With the majority of the songs maintaining a steady stride, Farrar shares his conviction with authority and insistence. Those are the qualities that allow Union to remain true to its common core. - Paste Magazine