Maggie

I received that song when I preorderd the CD. It's not bad for a Ben Gibbard song, considering I'm not a Death Cab fan.

I'm giving this album my first listen right now. So far everything sounds good to me. First track is definitely weird, but I liked it the first time around.

After posting here last night I checked out the Farrar board and saw that you had been declared a troll. While a few of your critiques were a bit harsh and personal in manner, overall I don't think anyone should be blamed for sharing an honest opinion. It's rough that you had a low post count at the time (and that a band member found you out).

Rider, did you see the Dave Bryson's blog about the Atlanta show? http://sonvolt.wordpress.com/ I will reserve judgment as I wasn't there.

I just ordered a copy of the mono box set from amazon.com. I was joking with my dad, asking if he planned to buy one for himself. He said no, but pointed out that I have a birthday coming up at the end of the month. Thanks mom and dad! About 13 years ago (at the age of 13) I fell in love with the Beatles. I watched the Anthology on TV with my parents and was enchanted by their story. I introduced my then best friend to the band, and we proceeded to spend an entire summer swimming in the Beatles. We watched Help and A Hard Day's Night repeatedly. One day we cleared the furniture out

Pleasant, listenable, pretty good. I turn the album on as background music, and the next thing I know - it's over. As pleasant as the album is, it hasn't made much of an impression on me. While some tracks are better than others, no individual song grabs me. I've been keeping an iTunes playlist for my favorite songs of 2009, but not one track from Wilco (the album) has made the cut.

This is a great thread. I've teared up a little reading all of the posts. I want to give my best wishes to everyone who has shared their story. Ever since I was maybe 7 or 8 years old I've had a similar connection to music. It started with a stomach ache and a cassette copy of Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson. I can still picture the scene. Ever since, if I'm under the weather, stressed, or depressed, one of my first instincts is to listen to a favorite album. I can totally understand how Sky Blue Sky could be the perfect cure to a bad experience.

This is essentially what happened to me. A five month Ryan Adams binge and a shiny new iPod are what helped me to discover Wilco, so the iPod was clearly important to me. Unfortunately what came after hasn't been so positive for me. For the first year or so things were good. I carefully researched music to purchase, discovering some of my now favorite artists like Wilco, Son Volt, Gillian Welch, and Kathleen Edwards within a period of about 6 months. The problem came when the research ended, and I started buying up music that often only vaguely interested me. Now I've got an iPod full

Well, when I was paying 13 cents per song (or something around there) on emusic I was doing alright. The deals of the day on amazon were okay as well. But that all led to an unexscusable addiction. The instant gratification got to me.

Over the last couple years I've become obsessed with finding new music. It started with live music torrents, back when I downloaded waaay too many shows, listening to each one only once, if even that. Then when my employment situation finally became stable I started buying as many CD's in one month as I used to purchase in one year. And finally I started buying mp3 albums as a way to get more for my money. That's when it got really ugly. I'm glad that I finally have a somewhat varied selection of music, but when I get the iPod out or click over to iTunes I have a terrible time deciding w

Here's a picture of the "garage" during soundcheck. I also thought it was kinda cool watching Jay stand at the "filled in door" smiling and enjoying a beer before he went on stage. That photo's a little too grainy to share. According to Dave Bryson's blog there were around 5,000 people in attendance, but considering it was a free show I don't think that means anything. Sorry - I wasn't going to post anymore photos, but I couldn't help myself.

I'm not a Death Cab for Cutie fan, but I'm really looking forward to the Kerouac thing. Strange combination indeed. I hope Jay does the vocals on at least half of the songs.

Kicking Television is the reason I finally became a Wilco fan. It turned out to be one of those life changing albums for me, so I'm certainly biased. I haven't listened to the album in full for sometime, but last I noticed it still gives me goosebumps. I still remember witnessing the buildup of "Misunderstood" for the first time. By the time Jeff finished yelling out the "nothings" I was in love. At the time I discovered the CD I'm pretty sure I didn't know that it was a "compilation" concert. It held up as a single document for me, so it can't be too bad.

I love the first two Cardinals records. I think that everything since Jacksonville City Nights has been pretty pathetic. I know that the group's lineup changed quite a bit after the recording of those first two albums and I was recently wondering how things would have turned out (musically) if the same musicians had stayed on.

Straightaways is my favorite SV album and "Medicine Hat" is one of my top 5 songs, so it certainly would have been nice to hear something from those records. I guess it's understandable that they're concentrating on the music that the current lineup (or versions thereof) actually recorded together. Oh well. In other news, Dad sent me a link to all of his photos from the Hartwood Acres show. I guess I won't bother adding more to my Flickr account. More photos of Jay Farrar and Co. (and a guitar tech, and some random children) than anyone could ever wish for: http://entertainment.webs

It wasn't until I actually sat down and read the setlist that I noticed how few of the older songs they played. After the encore my dad commented that they didn't play their "hit" ("Drown"), but even he didn't seem to care. The songs they did play were great, and that's all I ask. I left the show happy with what I heard. Here's a nice little group shot from last night . . .

Here's one quick example of Dad's photography. I think this one might qualify as a smile . . .

I saw Son Volt play a free show this evening here in Western PA. Based on the negative comments I've read regarding Jay's live performances I tried not to get my hopes up, but it turned out I had nothing to worry about. I loved every minute of the show. It was a beautiful evening, and I was impressed by the extent to which the audience seems to enjoy the band. Highlights for me included "Buzz and Grind" and "Medication." My dad was my concert companion tonight, and he happens to come equipped with a really nice camera (drag racing is his normal subject). He took over 300 photos, many of

I'm simultaneously fascinated and annoyed by Jeff/Jay comparisons. I've rolled my eyes at the "ashes of Uncle Tupelo" phrase that I see in so many reviews, yet I'm secretly comparing the two bands in my mind. I'm not a longtime fan of Wilco or Son Volt. It just happens that in November of 2005 I decided the give both bands a chance. Boy was I surprised that the two guys started out in a band together. I never would have guessed it, but I like the fact that two musicians with a common beginning satisfy a large range of my musical needs. I'm pretty sure I haven't listened to Wilco (the a

Exactly how I feel. It's beyond me that the same people who love Heartbreaker and Cold Roses can also love Easy Tiger and Cardinology (although I do find the former relatively listenable). I'm not saying that they're wrong to feel that way - I just don't get it!

After reading about Oar a couple months ago I bought the album . . . and listened to it once. I found the experience painful, aside from the song "Little Hands" which I do find relatively pleasant. I agree with those who say you're better off just reading about the album rather than listening to it. I also purchased Jay Farrar's track from the tribute album - creepy.

Love it. Part of me wishes the track was just a wee bit longer, but I suppose it might not have the same impact if stretched out over more than a minute and a half.

I think I have a new favorite album for 2009. "O! Grace" and "Shiloh" are favorites off hand, but I love every song on this record so far. My grandmother's name is Josephine. I think of her every time the name pops up throughout the album. Not sure if that's a good thing or not!

If my recollection is correct, the songs for American Central Dust were written while on tour last summer and the record was recorded in the fall of 2008. This is their first album with Rounder Records, so I imagine it took time to get a deal together and release an album. And, if I'm not mistaken the record was originally slated for release in May. I seem to recall seeing that date on Jay's website back around February or thereabouts.

Got my copy today, so I'm going to chime in and say that the Pitchfork review is indeed ridiculous. This isn't the kind of music Pitchfork gives their stamp of approval. Son Volt didn't stand a chance no matter how great or terrible the record is. American Central Dust isn't the most immediately enjoyable Son Volt album I've ever heard, but the overall sound is great. I'm just starting my second listen right now, and I can tell already that it's going to grow on me. I love the "Jukebox of Steel" ending in particular.