Son Volt—essentially Uncle Tupelo's Jay Farrar and whatever team he puts together—hasn't changed much over the years. Farrar just digs in deeper. Here, Mark Spencer (Freedy Johnston, Laura Cantrell) handles bass guitar, keyboards, and pedal steel guitar, always the most important instrument for helping Son Volt's tonal poems turn Technicolor. Dave Bryson holds down the drums and percussion end. Written in a two-week rush of inspiration, Honky Tonk doesn't often make it near its title. It insists on acoustic instruments over electric guitars, but these aren't barroom country songs—though "Seawall" lopes along like it's on its way through the desert, "Hearts and Minds" captures the feel of '50s pre-Bakersfield country, and "Bakersfield" comes close to its goal. "Down the Highway" has some gorgeous harmonies. However, the plan is usually for Farrar to lean into his voice and let its attractive hum bring forth meditations on life's past, present, and future.