The Best Band In The World
OK so Wilco is the best band in the world to me. Starting out of the breakup of the fine altcountry band Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy and Co. have refined the sound from altcountry with punk rock influences to more 60's inspired pop, with electronica. A Ghost is Born has to be one of my favorite albums of the last ten years. Lately I am hearing rumblings of frontman Jeff Tweedy falling apart, two stints in rehab, and an incident in October where he socked a fan who wandered on stage during a concert. I've met the guy twice and he seems like a mellow kinda guy to me, he sure as hell is a great songwriter and musician. Don't crack up on me Jeff I need at least 4 more good albums out of you guys.
posted by Elvez73 at 4:35 PM
4 Comments:
Don't you hate it when you're depending on an unstable artist?
Unfortunately, they often lose something when they sober up.
I didn't care for the "Hotel Foxtrot" thing very much outside of "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", "War on War" and "Heavy Metal Drummer"... it definitely sounded like the work of someone who was mentally unstable. I think Tweedy sounded less so on "A Ghost Is Born", and I was encouraged by that CD, although for me it is still a far cry from one of my favorite CDs ever, the glorious "Summerteeth".
I have all their discs, and like all except "Foxtrot". I view "AM" as a good extension of the Uncle Tupelo thing, and then with "Being There" I thought they were really on their way to the big time. I think their peak has been "Summerteeth"... I am getting used to Jay Bennett not being in the band anymore, but it has taken me a few years. I never did watch the film that showed some of the conflicts between Bennett and Tweedy, but I will have to check that one out. I think what they miss with Bennett is the amazingly good song arranging and some of the melodic hooks.
Anyway, I love "When You Wake Up Feeling Old", "She's a Jar", "Pieholden Suite", "Via Chicago", "Nothingsevergonna..", and "I'm Always in Love"... aw heck, I love the whole disc!
What are your favorite cuts from "A Ghost Is Born"? I think "Spiders/Kidsmoke" may actually be my favorite, although I also like "Handshake Drugs" and "Theologians".
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2F2MQKBB4CYPF/ref=cm_pdp_reviews_see_all/104-2992525-8733504
If that link works and if you scroll down, you can find my Amazon review of "Ghost".
Wilco is not my favorite band, but I do enjoy them very much!! Like Major says, relying on an unstable artist for continuity can be a tough thing for a fan. I hope Tweedy can keep his act together!
Spiders/kidsmoke is definately my favorite on the last record with Theologians being a close second and Handshake drugs being 3rd. I agree that the loss of Jay Bennett was a blow, you should definately check out the doc "I am trying to break your heart" Tweedy kind of gave Bennett the shaft but the creative differences had been simmering for a while. I agree with your assessment of Summer Teeth Snave, I caught them twice on that tour and I still think that record was the best they have yet put out. Tweedy is a talented musician and songwriter, I am very interested to hear some cuts from the new record.
When is their next one coming out? I didn't know they were working on a new one at the moment! How did you like their live CD "kicking Television"? I thought the stuff from "Yankee" and "Ghost" came across very well "live", better so than the studio versions.
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