lost highway

Annnnd two of Trump/Giulliani's stooges from Ukraine were arrested trying to leave the country!

Here's one example of how this forum is better than the facebook group.

I like that interview, and I like John. It seems like some of the negative discussion assumes that Jeff was twisting everyone's arms and they didn't get an input. The way it sounds is even though there was a pretty specific template to dictate a different process, the other 4 guys got to really be imaginative in seeing what they could add.

Yeah, I was thinking of the poor moderators. I don't really know what to tell you, Diane. I think I've already admitted that it's gotten toxic enough that I've felt sucked into communicating with strangers in a way that's not totally friendly. I'd think a few weeks will cool it out, but it's not your job to weather that storm if you don't want to.

Well said, that totally helps me get what you're going for. I think in terms of 'variety pack' Wilco records (sorry everyone) I'll take TWL over SBS, and WtA any day. It was a peak to me because they managed to have as much range as those other albums without (in my opinion) any clunker songs. If I'm gonna get a chuckle to yourself, fun song I'll take Capitol City over Walken, or for that matter a spirited romp I'll take Standing O over Walken. I won't tell you why I hate On and On because you love it and the Facebook group has inspired me to be less of a jerk when discussing music.

Am I the only one who thinks SBS is half of an amazing album? While there's no "You Are My Face" moment that makes me look for someone to make a mix tape for so I can put it on there, OTJ is so much more consistent than a lot of their output to my ears. In fact, that makes it a better introverted cousin to Star Wars. It holds a certain focus, and there's no slipping up on the back half.

Yeah, it's really bad. Somehow this forum contains both the positive and negative personal reviews without the nasty stuff. I had to stop posting for fear that I was making it worse. Something about a facebook, colored-text screen containing one flippant sentence telling me that the album I'm deeply enjoying is trash really grates on my nerves. I've already written a lot about why I think this is a fantastic record, so maybe the new insight I can offer is this: The fact that Wilco has released a highly controversial album is awesome.

I'm gonna do this again, even though I know it's too soon, and probably wrong: AGIB YHF TWL SW BT OtJ ST SBS Shm WtA AM

So I've been the pollyanna superfan who's living and loving the album. But.... just to show I'm objective: - The graphic design is less interesting than their other records. - The packaging seems kind of slight. - The vinyl doesn't sound as good as some of their other pressings. It sounds like it was pressed at United (might be totally untrue) where they seem to press records that always sound a little more distorted and a little less clear than some other manufacturers. Still loving the album, though.

Key in to the textural percussion, the flickers of noise that slip through, and the quieter guitar embellishments. This record is more of a noise folk orchestra than a rock band to me, and it's conducted with expertise.

Subjectivity in art and music etc etc. But reading the different reactions makes me feel like I'm hearing a different album from some folks. I wonder if it's a 'thing of this type' situation. Like are people who aren't enjoying this fans of super introverted-era Yo La Tengo, or the darker Bonnie Prince Billie/Palace Brothers stuff? Because if you were looking for a crackling rock and roll record, then I guess I can understand why you're bummed out. To me there's a lot to interact with and appreciate going on in there so it's hard to relate to people being dismissive.

It's interesting, as always, to contextualize the singles in a larger track list. Sequencing is one thing that Jeff is especially good at. I've always liked "Everyone Hides" but could understand some complaints that it feels a little light. That lightness bounces right out of the speakers after the heavy first 3rd of the album. It's like something shiny comes out of a dust storm. Great contrast. Love is Everywhere also takes on some added life hearing it situated in the tracklist.

I got my download yesterday, but won't see the vinyl in the mail box until next week.

I think it's a pretty remarkable achievement for a few reasons. First of all, I'd say production-wise, or sonically this is the most realized thing Jeff has done with Tom Schick as his right-hand engineer. The preference for defiantly smaller sounds has stayed a hall mark, but with some pretty big new percussive oomph. There is much more of a sense of all the sounds coming together to make a powerful whole than on the last record. The other thing I'm enjoying about it is there was a time years ago when I was discovering some of their great B-sides. Songs like 'More Like the Moon', 'Panther

They sent me the download already!

Star Wars rules. I think their ears are broken.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/03/766576603/wilco-ode-to-joy-new-album-review I'd call that a B minus review if I ever saw one, but at least it's thoughtful and well written. Not a mention of a phoenix from Uncle Tupelo's ashes, the YHF label debacle, or rehab which is a victory we might enjoy often for hanging in there with this band for a quarter of a century.

I've heard nothing. I echo the sentiment of supporting your local store. My professional and familial obligations make record store outings a biannual holiday in my life so I preordered the vinyl knowing that past experience foretells that it would come late. At least I'll get the download tomorrow!

Agreed on all counts. That songs is fantastic. I hope to see it live.

Live versions, or studio versions?

Should we call it 5.5 in the sequence?

I'm pretty sure Mikael is a very cool and nice guy.

Wow. I appreciate the recorded version a lot more than the video of them doing it live someone took on their phone. Who knew?! I can't wait to listen to this whole conversation.

Another good one: https://soundblab.com/reviews/albums/22318-wilco-ode-to-joy

Oh, sweet redemption. Someone actually listened to the music and thought of what was going on inside of it, instead of just grappling with the cultural signifiers on the surface. "Tweedy's vocals are often a spectral presence, not so much singing as transmitting the tunes from some otherworldly, ghostly realm. “One and a Half Stars” finds him reciting the troubled lyrics in a mechanically detached way that resembles a robot tasked with taking on the role of wounded balladeer, a striking effect that somehow doesn’t detach from the gorgeous melody the song is graced with. Despite all the restr