Son Volt has experienced something of a renaissance over its previous two albums, Okemah and the Melody of Riot and The Search. In terms of quality, American Central Dust falls somewhere between the two. Americana icon and bandleader Jay Farrar has learned to maximize his talents while minimizing his weaknesses. He's no genre-bending explorer of sound a la Jeff Tweedy, but a punch-the-clock troubadour with a brooding voice who crafts moody country ballads and chunky, Crazy Horse-inspired rockers.