Track Listing

1. Savior of Time
2. FT. Lewis
3. Cascade
4. Mule
5. Contrails
6. Fifteen Year Old Kid in Nogales, Mexico
7. Pinkerton
8. Girl in a House in Felony Flats
9. Muddy Conscience
10. Four Hours Out
11. Hope and Repair

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #245211 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-05
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Exclusive UK pressing features three bonus tracks, 'Lost Son', 'Hardly Seen' and 'El Cortez'. 2004.

Amazon.com
Uncle Tupelo provided a blueprint for "alternative country" in 1990 with the release of their debut, No Depression, a whirlwind of dynamic, passionate punk rock and rootsy country and folk. In the years since that pivotal record, alternative country has basically been transformed into a version of country rock that would make the Eagles proud. Portland, Oregon's Richmond Fontaine, however, have chosen to stay true to Uncle Tupelo's vision. Lost Son burns bright, fueled by equal doses of high-octane punk and hard-luck country moonshine. It is at turns wistful, ferocious, sweet, discordant, and occasionally disturbing in both its lyrics and songs. Lead singer and guitarist Willie Vlauten spins tales as dark and twisted as the roots of an ancient Douglas fir and his Northwest vision of Americana is inspired as much by his surroundings as his musical influences, though you're never quite sure who the protagonists are in his aching, twangy narratives. Songs reach towering peaks of cascading, over-driven guitar chords and pounding drums, only to slip seamlessly into lush valleys of acoustic strumming and sylvan slide guitar. Though definitely more rock than country, Lost Son nonetheless embodies all the best qualities of both and delivers them with an undeniable passion that references Tupelo's No Depression yet is entirely unique. --Adem Tepedelen

Customer Reviews

Ignore the derivative Tupelo comparisons
This lyrics and music on this brilliant recording aptly capture the (admittedly darker) essence of the Pacific Northwest. Yes, Willy writes dark material that is often compared to Raymond Carver - the images are incredibly powerful and will not quickly pass from your memory. The inevitable comparisons to Tupelo are due to the unbelievable similarity of Willy's voice to Jay Farrar's - that, and the fine pedal steel contributions by Paul Brainard. The truth is that Willy was more influenced by the early LA cowpunk scene, including bands such as X and the Blasters, Dave Alvin, etc. Some people hear a resemblence to Lou Reed and Velvet Underground - whatever. The truth is, if you are a fan of early Tupelo you will probably identify with and truly enjoy what Richmond Fontaine has to offer. Personally, I was a huge fan of the early Tupelo and felt a certain loss as they slowly whittled away more of the punk elements from their music. I have great respect for Jay Farrar, but Son Volt needs to do something about the roots-rock rut they have seized upon - they are beginning to sound like a broken record. In my humble opinion, Richmond Fontaine restores the power and energy (at times, the fury) of this genre without being at all derivative. The songwriting is entirely original - take one listen to "Cascades" or "Fifteen year-old kid in Nogales, Mexico" (or any of them for that matter). The music will pull you in and the story will guarantee that you are hooked. Considering the dearth of live music here in Leadville, listening to Lost Son always makes me homesick for Oregon and the wonderful music scene that Portland holds. Pick up a copy and check it out.

3.5 stars. A definite grower but the later albums are better
This is the album that got me interested in Richmond Fontaine, and almost put me off them too.

The first thing that strikes me is that the poor man's Uncle Tupelo comparisons seem right but only about this album (maybe earlier ones - but I haven't heard them). Lost Son does sound a lot like No Depression or rather like someone doing their version of No Depression and although they don't do a bad job they aren't as good.

Initially I was not impressed I am not really a big fan of No Depression although I like the less punky Uncle Tupelo stuff. Much of this album has heavy slashing guitars and I am not a fan of this in alt-country music.

However the lyrics really do stick in the head and transport you to the dark, bleak places where the characters exist. The stories often leave blanks and you can't help but imagine what had gone on before the song or after it. Willy Vlautin's voice is not the strongest and that is no bad thing. You can't imagine a better voice singing these songs.

Something about the songs brought me back to them and eventually the songs started to grow on me. The melodies which had been hidden amongst the heavy guitars started to reveal themselves and before long I quite enjoyed the album.

It will never be my favourite Richmond Fontaine album and just as I got into tracks such as Cascades, Fifteen year old kid............., and Pinkerton I went out and bought the truly wonderful Winnemucca and Lost Son sadly took a back seat but because of it introducing me to Richmond Fontaine it will always have a place in my heart.

Dark, dark, dark
Richmond Fontane very much sounds like early, No Depression-era Uncle Tupelo, attempting the folk at-times, punk at-times balance that was UT's trademark. In fact, lead singer Willie Vlauten's voice sounds so much like Jay Ferrar's raw, untrained voice on "No Depression" that it's eerie.

While "Lost Son" does not approach any of UT's albums in quality, it surpasses UT in the darkness of the lyrics and the stark contrasts in the musical styles on the album. The lyrics tell vivid stories of death, deceit, murder, prostitution, muggings, alcoholism (you know, all the great things in life.) These bleak stories are centered around rural life in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. They are vivid enough that I found myself thinking about the hapless characters in the songs hours after I finished listening to the album. The music ranges from EXTREMELY loud punk with a rusty rural sound to slow, lilting acoustic chords that you can fall asleep to. Richmond Fontane even runs this range of styles in one song!

Bottom line is, this album will probably be more interesting to you if you are a fan of Uncle Tupelo's "No Depression" and "Still Feel Gone" albums. "Lost Son" is a new interpretation of those classic albums. I wouldn't recommend buying this album if you aren't familiar with those two albums; it is a very dark and moody album with a musical style that is unique to them and Uncle Tupelo. Go buy "No Depression" and/or "Still Feel Gone", and if you like those albums, keep Richmond Fontane's "Lost Son" in mind.