8 / 10
They were in their early 20s, but Uncle Tupelo sounded at least 75. Broken
whisky bottles and departed women were the tools of their trade, and this
compilation showcases the cream of their time in the mud, blood and beer.
Over their four album career, Wilco man Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar's
partnership produced punk-country and straight country, but probably their
most affecting material ('Sauget Wind' and 'Black Eye') fell outside both, a
meeting point between Gram Parsons and Slint which pointed a plausible way
forward. All is, abundantly, here - and even if Uncle Tupelo ended in tears,
this was just fuel to their subsequent creative fires.
John Robinson
To read all our reviews first - days before they appear online - check out NME magazine, on sale every Wednesday
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