lost highway

Just saw on Facebook: Wilco announced they are mastering their record right now in Maine (probably with Bob Ludwig @ Gateway). That means it is more or less done. Songs, mix, sequence, whole nine yards. I'm hoping for a double album.

Those are sweet. I hear some exciting sounds coming out too. Some kind of drony kraut-rock beast getting hatched and that "Open Up Your Mind" song Jeff has been playing solo.

I would say the current lineup has done some pretty great arrangements over the past couple records. 'I'll Fight' stands out to me as the best, air-tight, minimal-playing arrangement where every single instrument in the band is fitting in to a really distinct role. It fits together like a machine (see also the instrumental break on "Bull Black Nova). It's really a tightly woven groove with each instrument working together seamlessly. Sometimes I think it's a rare case where the arrangement is actually better than the song itself (and it's a well written song).

Why can't I hear it?

Careful with the 6ths, they are a great color to use sometimes, but a strong one. Generally your most basic weapons are your 3rds, and 5ths with passing scale tones between. You can usually stack different octaves of chord tones. Throw in the right 7th at the right time, that's a good color. Usually you want to keep the nearest 1 away from the 7 so it doesn't discord but that can be cool too. If you like to use old classical conventions don't let two instruments that are a 5th away continue to move in parallel a 5th away. Have them swap spots. Find common chord tones between several ch

I ran into John once in Chicago. I geeked out on him and he was so nice that it took me a couple hours afterward to realize how embarrassed I should be.

Many bands are pretty different recorded compared to live. A lot of the earlier MMJ recordings seemed interested in creating this echoing, warm, sonic canyon for the songs to fall in. They sound cool and beautiful. You hear them live and much of that falls away. Then you realize there is some ballsy guitar chord, wind-milling happening in there. I think that's a pretty cool dichotomy to experience as someone who enjoys each of those. I think at various points bands like Dr. Dog and even Wilco have shown different formats, and sounds that are tailored to different contexts in much the sam

New song is great. I think the band boldly took some risks on their last record. It didn't pay off for everyone (like me). Two songs in to the new record it seems like they have gained a ton of perspective from doing exactly what they want. This time it works more for me, and nothing I've heard off the new record sounds at all like Highly Suspicious which is certainly ok with me. Sonicshoulder, that is a really good point.

I was trying to be absurd here for humor, but if it only added to negativity- sorry for a misplaced joke. I'm really excited about goings on. I don't see why anyone should end up feeling bad about Wilco making records. Get well soon everybody.

Suddenly the thread becomes negative, as people prepare to like, or not like something they haven't heard yet. I already know I like the album and if you don't like it I don't like you. If you really like the first half but not the second of both SBS and W(TA) we should go get margaritas. Has this thing leaked yet?

I've learned from the last three never to know what to expect, even when the band members are feeling reflective on a yet to be released album. I've also learned that it's always a worthwhile adventure and there is something joyful in every Wilco record. In other words.... I'm down for anything. Fun.

Most budget condensers sound like nails on a chalk board. You can, however, get a dynamic for cheap that can sound good for vocals. I have had great success with both the Shure SM7 (the unofficial Tweedy mic) and the EV RE20. Both can be found in the $300-$400 range. I also love my EV RE10 which doesn't look like much but sounds pretty classy on some voices. I see those for $100 or less all the time.

You could argue for 6/8 or 3/4 but 3/3 doesn't exist. It would be excellent to waltz to. That is indisputable.

I think Jeff Tweedy was joking. Meanwhile it's easier to get new LP's than it was ten years ago.

This is a good song. Yet again, it is early for speculation and guessing- but I can't help but wonder what Wilco will do with these two new songs Jeff's playing if they make it to the record. They could go "Jolly Banker" on the arrangement, or they could go "Poor Places". The answer to that kind of question usually turns out to be "neither".

Whoah! These lyrics have some of the collaged/nonsequitur feeling of the YHF stuff but with a clearer theme. Really well written. Man, it's much too early to get "new Wilco album" fever. Best forget the impending excitement and live in the now.

I got an email saying there will be the first dBM records release at Solid Sound. I predict a new 7 inch single from the Wilcos.

Dude, just buy a record player.

My Canon G10 takes really nice pictures. It's kind of half way between a point and shoot and an SLR. It has a few bells and whistles but you can always just use it in automatic mode.

AKG C4000b AKG D112 AT 4033 x2 AT 4047 Beyer M160 Beyer M201 EV RE10 EV PL95 Groove Tubes MD1 x2 Sennheiser e604 x3 Sennheiser e602 Shure KSM 137 Shure KSM 141 x2 Shure SM7 Shure SM57 x3 Preamps: API x2 Chandler Germanium Focusrite Great River x2 Sytek x8

I think what non-teachers don't understand is this: lazy teachers don't teach. It's pretty hard to be a teacher and be lazy. Where I work, at the elementary level it is impossible. You can get paid that money and be lazy somewhere else. That's not really part of the teaching paradigm. You have to love the job to do it, because it's really hard work no matter how you cut it.

Interesting, I feel like they don't get the credit they deserve. They are looked at as "that Blister in the Sun band". I see them in this continuum that started with the Velvets, took an interesting turn with the Modern Lovers and wound up with the Violent Femmes. Songs like Add it Up and Gone Daddy Gone are just so cool. Some bands become so huge and only expose one of their dimensions in the process. It then becomes incredibly unpopular to have an authentic interest in them. I always think that it's amazing that Stone Temple Pilots actually put out a great record. Like being a Viole

I'm jealous of those. For my part: Braid Stereolab Hot Water Music At the Drive-In Fugazi The Murder City Devils American Steel Quicksand Burning Airlines Jets to Brazil The Promise Ring Rival Schools Rage Against the Machine Kid Dynamite My high school years and right after were full of really cool punk, post-punk, post-hardcore etc. experiences.

If you haven't already, check out his new band Forgetters. They have a four song EP available on itunes which is very lo-fi but has outstanding songs. Kind of like Unfun but a little more mature.

Deficit reduction has now replaced 'Fighting terrorism' as the grab bag people can put their own agenda on. Walker hates unions so he uses a current event to mount an attack. Somehow the same people freaked out about our deficit want to keep the Fed Gov funding Nascar, yet they want to cut funding for PBS. The damndest thing about all of these recent issues is how rarely the main stream media discusses how much something costs/saves in relation to the budget with both a dollar sign and a percentage. Americans have to read publications like the Economist to obtain simple, accessible, prop