MattZ

Can people weigh in with their invaluable thoughts on all things J-45? I have wanted one for a long long time and I am getting closer to convincing myself that it's time. What are your thoughts on used vs new? I know that Gibson has the rep for a period of clunkers. Better to find a banged up one that is older and/or vintage? Stick with a new one? If new, Rosewood? Mahogany? TV? I know that it all boils down to the sound and feel that I like, and that I should play as many as I can because each one is different. But I'd love to hear your thoughts/experiences/etc. I'd also love to

You sort of answered your own point here. The argument (that others are making) isn't necessarily that Jeff et al don't care about the sound. The argument is that these days the vast majority of people are listening to music on mp3 players through inferior headphones where these issues are less noticeable. A "give the people what they want" theory, if you will. You are right that "not everyone...has the audio equipment..." I think that's the point. You are also right that we have too much time on our hands.

An argument could be made that inducting players like Bonds/Sosa/etc would be a better example of pretending the steroids era didn't exist.

I am not even reading this column so I don't know what the guy says about the song. But, as I said, more people have told me that Wilco loves you baby than I ever would have imagined. Lots of people have connected with the song and with its message. That makes it a great song (in my mind) even if its not a great song. If that makes any sense. I am going to drop this now if that's ok with everyone.

thanks remphish! Just bought for Irving Plaza. First time my convenience fees ($5.50) were more than my actual ticket ($5).

I don't see her face.

Jeez, when Wilco played it on Colbert, I think it was virtually unanimous love at first listen around here. I understand that opinions change, and hyperbole is to be expected, but for what it is, it's a great song!

The schtick wore thin on that song, but it took a long time to do so for me. I know it took less time for others. It's a fun song. And it continues to explore the band vs audience dynamic that is inherent in all music and yet rarely (?) acknowledged. I have told tons of folks or had countless others tell me that Wilco loves you, baby. That counts for something. I don't have problem with it being included. Not every song has to be (or can be) Jesus, Etc. Which, for the record, had better be #1. It's not even close, really.

I can agree with the statement that the album sounds a little bit too polished in spots. The harmonies are super crisp and in your face. Or, that's where I notice it at least. I just find it hard to believe that Jeff and boys weren't aware of it and it wasn't a conscious decision. To think that all this work went into crafting the album and then they ignored the mastering process seems hard to believe for too many reasons to list.

Yes, I'd assume they can hear how this album sounds. Maybe they like how the last two albums sound? I don't know enough about mastering but the naysayers seem to be speaking in not only absolute, but in objective terms. Is it possible that the issue is neither absolute, nor objective? I don't ask that question to be snarky -- I really don't know enough about mastering to know if this is an objective or subjective issue. I have been listening to this album on vinyl exclusively and I am happy with it. I haven't compared to the CD.

I am not the one doing anything here. Just the idea of this is making me nervous.

Yeah exactly. Who said that alternating every year was the only solution? Although the argument against better regular season records, of course, is that teams play different schedules.

The All-Star game lost most of its juice (for me) when interleage play started. I understand why baseball did what it did, but it's stupid and it doesn't fix the problem. At all.

this thread is making me nervous

I thought it might be, but is that right? Jeff plays his own actual signature Breedlove? Isn't that a bit weird? I thought it was a collector's item for geeky fans like us. Doesn't he have his own Breedlove(s) that this was modeled after??

For all the folks that wish that they'd change it up some more, let's put the new songs aside, since they are touring on a new album. Let's also put aside the rarer tunes that they played in Brooklyn. Like Cant Stand It and I'm Always in Love. Let's focus on the "standards" that always get played. If they swapped out Shot in the Arm or You Are My Face or Heavy Metal Drummer for something like Shouldn't Be Ashamed or Radio Cure, sure the message board folks (and certainly me) would be thrilled. But how many of the more casual fans of the 12,000 in Brooklyn would be disappointed? How many

mpolak saved this thread and mentioned YLT.

Anyone know what kind of guitar that is? It looks like a Breedlove? 000-12?

I was at the show last night and I couldn't tell what it was. I pointed it out to my wife and mentioned that there's a bit of a discussion/controversey about what amp it is. As it was coming out of my mouth, I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. It just came out. She looked at me like I was crazy and (I am paraphrasing) asked me "what the hell is wrong with you people?"

I thought of you when they played I'm Always in Love. Jerk.

come on folks, they played 6-7 songs from the new album, so that's a bunch of songs right there that you've never seen. The majority of the rest of the set is going to be the standards. That's just how it goes. And even with those standards, I hadn't seen ALTWYS in a long time. And Can't Stand It and Im Always in Love?

this came out like crap because it was my cell phone, but this is what greeted concert goers that stepped off the train on their way to the show last night:

This is not an easy listen.

More like standing there and not knowing the words.

I'd echo what bbop said -- he nailed the review (as usual). YLT didn't win over many new fans with their opening set. And as my brain was exploding during their last number (The Story of Yo La Tango), it seemed like the majority of the folks around me just wanted them off the stage. A very solid opening set from YLT. Some of these Wilco fans... Wilco/Jeff seemed particularly playful and energetic last night. Can't say if that's right, as I haven't seen the band at any other shows on this tour. The stadium was jammed though, and I wonder if the juice of playing in front of that many