lost highway

I've enjoyed it quite a bit, but as I'm hitting the paywall I'm not going to make the jump to a payed subscription.

It's one of those 'new things' the kids are doing, that I'm too stubborn to change for. I'll preorder the next Wilco LP on vinyl though!

As a drum nerd I've really enjoyed Glenn's Instagram project of a beat a week. Most of them would take me at least an hour to learn, and some of them I might never get, but they're another inspiring piece of evidence of this guy's creativity.

Anyhow, he recently posted a beat that was kind of a variation of IATTBYH but said he got into it after someone pointed out the Olivia Rodrigo song "Deja Vu" as a kindred spirit. I'm sometimes pop music ignorant, so I checked it out, and I have to think the drummer and/or producer used the Wilco track as a reference for their arrangement. Not identical by any means, but a similar approach. I don't call that a rip off either, it's a surprising (but fruitful?) lineage.

Check it out if you're curious, I jumped ahead to where the drums come in, but if you want all the teenage drama you can start at the top: 

https://youtu.be/cii6ruuycQA?t=91

Curious to see how you can break down their selections by album, given their huge catalog this can leave fans of a particular album feeling like the material is under represented.

AM: 1

BT: 0

ST: 2

YHF: 4

AGIB: 2

SBS: 3

WtA: 0

TWL: 2

SW: 1

Schm: 1

OTJ: 2

MMA: 1

Not too bad a spread, but yeah, not a lot of old school love in there. 

It's interesting, he shared in a story that he had the idea for this song when jogging in Maine and he saw a roadside memorial. Maine is where famed mastering engineer Bob Ludwig's studio is. I can't remember what album was getting mastered at the time, but the idea of getting a new Wilco song on a jog, at the place where another album was getting its finishing touches is evidence of the endless creative spirit in that guy, which I get tons of inspiration from.

How is it no one on here has reviewed this yet?! (I mean, I know logisitically how it's possible).

Two new studio recordings from these guys is big news in my little world.

^ Nice!

Yeah, I think maybe Leroy was right when he said that any of the supposed short comings in the sound are blessings. My glasses are also rose tinted.

Even after the Alpha Mike Foxtrot smorgasbord, I assume that there are loads of unheard tunes and versions sitting around the loft.

As much as Wilco stated this was the delayed continuation of the Ode to Joy tour, it looks from this set more like a variety of favorites, including some OtJ songs type of setlist. I'm glad I got to see them play 3/4s of the new record, but I'd also be perfectly happy to see them in action again playing a bit of everything.

6 hours ago, TCP said:

I remember Jeff saying that on TTS but I believe he meant that the album couldn't be remixed since it was done on tape and so many elements were spliced together but I'm sure they have the stereo master tapes sitting around somewhere. And that's what mastering engineers use, a tape of the finalized mix, not the raw tapes where each instrument can isolated/adjusted. Could be a moot point because I don't believe the Summerteeth was remastered when it got the deluxe treatment anyways. Just one man's opinion but I'd argue that YHF probably doesn't need a remaster, it sounds just fine. Repress the album on a cool colour and add in a few discs of bonus stuff and everyone will be happy!

As an audio engineer here, I'll say that this is exactly right. Mastering is the treatment of a stereo track to get it sounding ideal and prepare it for reproduction. I do think the "remastered" tag sometimes actually means "remixed" but they don't call it that because among laymen those terms mean totally different things (can you imagine the fury and confusion if some of these classic albums were rereleased with the word remix on them?). I might have read the same interview, and Jeff mentioned it after saying he thinks YHF has really poor fidelity and some of the elements sound boxy or tinny.

I think the majority of YHF features mixes of tracks on both analog tape and ADAT tape, which has been a pretty obsolete medium for a long time. Syncing machines with different formats was a monstorous headache.

But the less audio nerd side of this is how much unheard YHF era material is there? They put stuff from the excellent Woodgrain/Australian EP on Alpha Mike. Various demo versions of the record have circulated. Are their more curiosities from this time? I'd like to think there are, but maybe most of it has already been shared.

2 hours ago, Muzzle of Dan said:

 

I released a new single this weekend. I had previously released We Are Wild as a part of my album and did a new version of it for a single release. 

 

 

This is cool. Has kind of a Scott Walker vibe.

This was my proverbial isolation/quarantine solo record:

https://snappylittlenumbers.bandcamp.com/album/rust-colored-light

Little folk, little rock n roll, little chamber pop, a pinch of afro beat thrown in for good measure.

I'm starting to think a new Wilco this year is unlikely as they're still working on it and it's June, but who knows? Maybe a winter release if we're lucky.

New Sleater Kinney just might redeem them in my eyes. I'm a long-time fan and really lost interest with their recent turn. Which is odd because I like St. Vincent.

The new Teenage Fanclub is so good.

In pop land, Billy Eilish might wind up with an interesting album. I heard the new Lorde single yesterday and it's terrible.

As if our current era couldn't get more confusing, fictional Jeff Tweedy lead fake-band Land Ho, reprises their role playing what is now a very real Wilco track, "Pickled Ginger" as a guest on fake dude Andy Dwyer's band's soon to be real album of songs from TV show Parks and Recreation.

I don't know exactly what we get out of this, but definitely some amusement.

Cool podcast concept. I look forward to listening to this and the Vernon interview. It looks like the latest episode isn't up quite yet.

Edit:  ooh, now I see it. This will make my drive to work more interesting tomorrow. Thanks!

On 4/12/2021 at 1:16 AM, Albert Tatlock said:

"All hands on neck!" shouted Capo Jack Sparrow.

 

etc.

Excellent.

48 minutes ago, u2roolz said:

The Tweedy Show Thursday March 25 Episode 161
Sunlight Ends (new song with lyrics "Dance Like The Dust In The Light")

 

I always appreciate a new one from him, and haven't disliked any of the many he's treated us with, but this one. Dang. Better be on a record soon.

"You're not the kind of desert sand anyone can cross

you're the kind of missing page that only gets you lost,

and you're lost

and I'm lost.

But let's dance like the dust in the light

where the sun comes in and I'm

following until the sunlight ends."

Fuck.

To say kind of the same thing in a different way: Yeah it depends on your flavor. The album rundown was very accurate. 

Recommended tunes? Hard to take them out of context from an album band, and Star Wars and Ode to Joy are such cohesive wholes, but if I had to pull some standouts:

-Wilco the Album- One Wing, You and I, Solitaire

-The Whole Love- Art of Almost, Whole Love, I Might, One Sunday Morning

-Star Wars- More, Cold Slope into King of You, Magnetized

-Schmilco- Cry All Day, Someone to Lose, Locator

-Ode to Joy- Before Us, Quiet Amplifier, Everyone Hides, Love is Everywhere

I'm sure many would dispute these selections, which is evidence that Wilco is a great band that provoke a lot of different takes on their catalog.

16 minutes ago, Yaz Rock said:

 

Yo can watch the whole show here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMLyJuRFdZi/
 

Oh yeah, duh! Thanks. 

That was a great way for me not to get any work done at the end of my day. I love these guys.

And they're working on a NEW RECORD! (I know he said that a while back, but the boys are back in town).

Also, if anyone has any other videos to share of this performance last night, I really missed out.

17 hours ago, TCP said:

First of all!! Thank you for listening  

Did I say it's a Walmart version of SBS song?? I don't remember saying that, maybe it was Jason. I'll have to go back and listen. Either way that made me laugh, but I probably wouldn't go that far. Maybe more of a Target version of a Wilco song  

I've seen that video, it's probably a better version than what's on the album but it's still not a great Wilco song, IMHO. I don't see what's appealing about it! I'd agree with you that the harmonies, solo, and everything you listed are good but I think there's a bunch of songs on Sky Blue Sky alone which have all the same things but are way more effective, to me at least! It's definitely not a bad song but it's right there with Everlasting Everything and Capitol City with the Wilco songs that don't do much for me. Trust me, I've tried. I wish I liked it as much as you! In hindsight I would have loved to have you or someone with your opinion on the show to debate that one because I think me and Jason were very much on the same page of "meh" which isn't super interesting but is honest at least. Like Jeff says, every Wilco song is someone's favourite Wilco song. 

I think that album is 1/2 filed with songs just like that. But as a Wilco fan, I appreciate that someone would love it. I like that you're willing to dog on a little bit of the material, it makes it more interesting. I never want to bum people out but I always find making fun of "Can't Stand It" because the idea that a Wilco song would be lame to me is pretty novel. 

2 hours ago, Cam Jones said:

i think its just him serving the song the best he can. I reference The Band a LOT when I talk to people about musicians who aren't exactly "classically trained" but you know its them when you listen to a song with them on it. You can tell its every member of The Band. Thats what I think of when I hear Being There and Summerteeth. Just a guy who had a sound. 

Yeah I just remember in some interview about the Mermaid Avenue stuff he was kind of trumpeting his (and by extension the band's) refinement of one of Bragg's ditties. He said something about using Burt Bacharach chords, playing 9ths or something. It gave me the impression Bennet was hip to theory. His style on piano specifically, is so distinct I felt like some of it came down to his chord voicings choices. I'm a hack piano player so I kind of wish I knew what was going on there to extend my knowledge, but I can't point out the chord tones blindfolded.

Maybe some day I'll just sit down at the ivories with the boom box and see if I can suss some of it out.

Now on guitar I know exactly what he's doing, but that's also been covered around here with tabs etc.

Also Garth Hudson was a well-schooled shredder. All those other dudes though, you're dead on.

1 hour ago, chisoxjtrain said:

Apparently Pence is dipping out on vacation while Agent Orange won't concede. Such strength in our leaders.

He always was the smarter one. Evil, but smarter.

It looks like Obamacare has survived the Supreme Court once again!!!

Wilco as a guitarist's band has been well analyzed and appreciated. From Bennet's hot dogging, Tweedy's emotional skronk, Cline's unparalleled dexterity to Pat's deft supporting licks we get what this band is up to (and it's amazing).

The piano business is less clear to me. Clearly Jorgensen has a recognizable mark, that stretches out even more in live renditions with some inventive, dark, and sometimes jazzy chord voicings (see 'You Are My Face' live).

But Mr. Bennet has an almost trademark style on his Being There and Summerteeth piano playing that is brashly unmistakable on some live recordings. I know theory and everything, but as a hack keyboard player his go-to tricks don't immediately explain themselves to my ear. What is the key to the Jay Bennet sound? What are those chords he seems to love on 'What's the World Got in Store' or  'When You Wake Up Feeling Old', or ' Pieholden Suite'?

The solo acoustic demos are so great. I think they're my favorite part of the whole package.

15 minutes ago, u2roolz said:

I’m sure everyone knows by now, but Jeff will be on Colbert on Monday evening. 

I did not. Thank you!