This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
THE ORIGINAL RELEASE DATES: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
THE BACK STORY: Before there was contemporary alt-country, before there was Wilco, before there was Son Volt, there was Uncle Tupelo, the pioneering trio formed and frontedy by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar. Blending the rustic honesty of classic Appalachian acoustic music with the swirling energy of ’80s indie-punk, they forged a distinctively unique sound that carried them through four albums that wowed critics and influenced an entire generation of roots-rocking musicians. All four releases, in some cosmic coincidence of rightness, have just been reissued by their various labels.
THE GOODIES: You know, I could sit here and pick this classic cover off this album, or this brilliant original off that record, but the simple damn truth is that every one of these discs is nearly flawless. Seriously, just go buy them all. You won’t be sorry. I promise.
THE EXTRAS: As if all the original discs weren’t enough, each one comes with a handful of bonus cuts — singles, demos, live recordings, cover tunes and the like — and booklets with plenty of anecdotes and pictures. If you’re a fan, you couldn’t ask for much more. If you’re not a fan, you will be once you hear these essential LPs.
