I need to check out Son Volt more. I don't like Farrar's stuff on the "March 16-20 1992" Tupelo album because it sounds too preachy in a "social justice" sort of way, as though he thinks its 1933 and he's got to save the coalminers from the evil capitalists.
The coalminers song is really awesome, but yeah I agree that the lyrics to that are too preachy. But it's a folk song!
I can't recall anything overtly political in the Son Volt records but I have to admit I wasn't looking for it.
Check 'em out... Trace, Straightaways and Wide Swing Tremolo... 3 great roots rock records.