Uncle Tupelo - March 16-20, 1992(1992)=****(out of 5)

     On Uncle Tupelo's third of four masterpieces, March 16-20, 
1992, the band provides a change unlike any other to be found
in the entire music industry.
     The two previous albums from the band have been lead 
mainly by hard electric guitar along with the occasional "punk"
sound.  On REM's Peter Buck produced "March", however, 
there is not one song containing an electric guitar.  Every song is
compiled with incredibly beautiful acoustic chords along with the
shaky but stable, lonely voices of Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy.
     One would have had to be following the band at this time in
order to fully appreciate and recognize the changes within the 
band's music.  The album is based more on a political and
religious outlook with a lonely feel rather than the alcoholism 
within the previous two records.  However, the most powerful song
on the album hands down, "Moonshiner," is about alcohol problems.
The track is one of the most chilling songs I've ever heard.  Jay
Farrar's voice in this song is something one would have to hear
to believe.
     The only thing that halts "March" from being an absolute
classic are the songs that Jeff Tweedy donated to the record.  In 
my opinion, the struggle of Jeff Tweedy on this album is almost 
comical.  On numbers like "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come 
Down," "Wait Up," and the horrid "Warfare," Tweedy does not
show his full talent.  To somewhat make up for his poor efforts, 
there is the tune "Black Eye" that is nothing short of excellence.
     Perhaps what causes Tweedy's songs on March 16-20, 1992 
to be looked down upon is the fact that his co-front man, Jay 
Farrar, produces his best work of any on the band's four records.
Jay Farrar takes his voice to its extreme limits throughout the 
album.  Songs like "Criminals," and the most upbeat song on the
record, "Grindstone," show the best songwriter in the world today
at his full peak.  Other very notable songs from Farrar on "March"
are the haunting "Lilli Schull" and the desperately lonely "Wipe
The Clock."  To prepare the listener for the homestretch of the
album, there is the best instrumental song I have ever heard.
Entitled "Sandusky," the amazing song takes your mind away
from everything you are doing and engulfs your mind and body
with the music.  Listen to this tune over and over again, and
enjoy the experience.
     Drummer Mike Heidorn must have had a very relaxing job
during the tour of this incredible album.  All of the drumbeats are
beautiful, yet very soft and slow.  Uncle Tupelo's concerts have
been described as one in which would seem to blow the roof off
the club one minute and have you weeping in your beer the next.
While I was not fortunate enough to catch this band in concert 
while they existed, I would have to guess that the songs off of
this album were the ones that had people weeping.  The songs
on the album are so heartfelt and lovely that I'm sure the shows 
would have the hair on the back of your neck standing on end
for the entire evening.
     On Uncle Tupelo's excellent third release, the biggest change
within a band's music to date can be heard.  Not only is it the 
biggest change, it is the most intriguing and the best that anyone
could find in music.
                                              --Tim Prizer