Wilco: Best Band Working Today?
June 18th 2008 03:33
I have to admit: I love Wilco. Jeff Tweedy nearly single-handedly saved my faith in rock n’ roll.
WIlco is out touring now in support of their latest record Sky Blue Sky. The record is very good. Not great; but very, very good. My pick as the best CD of 2007. After a year or so spinning it, it has lost some luster, but there are great moments on it (the outro solo of “Impossible Germany” should live on in infamy). But it has dropped on my list if favorite Wilco records.
( Quick aside - in order my favorites are: 1. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot 2. A Ghost is Born 3. Being There 4. Summerteeth )
I love Wilco so much that I have started seeking out bootlegs, live stuff and tangential projects (like Jeff’s outstanding solo stuff). I have not done this for a band since I was obsessed with Zeppelin in the 1980’s. Back then I had to sit by the radio and tape live recordings during KLOS’s “Get the Led out” program. The internet age is beautiful, isn’t it? Live stuff is at everyone’s fingertips. Add in the robust B&P trade, and you can get more than you ever need. In more ways than one, this is a golden age for music fandom.
I love WIlco so much I learned to play virtually every one of their songs on the guitar. Silly, huh? Lots of websites devoted to Wilco tab, lyrics and discussion out there (check out http://forums.viachicago.org/ for the best one).
Why do I love Wilco? Hard to say, really. Smart Dylan-esque lyrics. Outsatnading melodies. Strong musical heritage (started as an alt.country band). Willingness to push the envelope. Refuses to cater to corporate radio. Maybe all of it put together’ a sum more than the parts.
Yeah, I really liked the last couple from Bright Eyes and Iron & Wine. Yeah, Ryan Adams puts out really good stuff (when he turns on his rarely used internal filter). Yeah, Radiohead is still relevant. Ben Harper … yeah, I know. But they are all a distant second to Wilco.
If you have not heard a Wilco record yet, I am jealous. It is like a gift coming to you. You are a 8 year old kid on Xmas eve. Do yourself a favor and grab YHF or BT. You will not be disappointed. They are the best band working today.
WIlco is out touring now in support of their latest record Sky Blue Sky. The record is very good. Not great; but very, very good. My pick as the best CD of 2007. After a year or so spinning it, it has lost some luster, but there are great moments on it (the outro solo of “Impossible Germany” should live on in infamy). But it has dropped on my list if favorite Wilco records.
( Quick aside - in order my favorites are: 1. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot 2. A Ghost is Born 3. Being There 4. Summerteeth )
I love Wilco so much that I have started seeking out bootlegs, live stuff and tangential projects (like Jeff’s outstanding solo stuff). I have not done this for a band since I was obsessed with Zeppelin in the 1980’s. Back then I had to sit by the radio and tape live recordings during KLOS’s “Get the Led out” program. The internet age is beautiful, isn’t it? Live stuff is at everyone’s fingertips. Add in the robust B&P trade, and you can get more than you ever need. In more ways than one, this is a golden age for music fandom.
I love WIlco so much I learned to play virtually every one of their songs on the guitar. Silly, huh? Lots of websites devoted to Wilco tab, lyrics and discussion out there (check out http://forums.viachicago.org/ for the best one).
Why do I love Wilco? Hard to say, really. Smart Dylan-esque lyrics. Outsatnading melodies. Strong musical heritage (started as an alt.country band). Willingness to push the envelope. Refuses to cater to corporate radio. Maybe all of it put together’ a sum more than the parts.
Yeah, I really liked the last couple from Bright Eyes and Iron & Wine. Yeah, Ryan Adams puts out really good stuff (when he turns on his rarely used internal filter). Yeah, Radiohead is still relevant. Ben Harper … yeah, I know. But they are all a distant second to Wilco.
If you have not heard a Wilco record yet, I am jealous. It is like a gift coming to you. You are a 8 year old kid on Xmas eve. Do yourself a favor and grab YHF or BT. You will not be disappointed. They are the best band working today.
Wilco: Nice Suits in Dirty Bathroom
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