Nonlinear Nonfiction

This was my seventh Wilco show and by far the best. I was a huge fan walking into Northrop, and now I'm not sure what I'm going to do because I didn't know I could like them even more.

Northrop rocked (well, it was OKAY). It's been a long time since I remember the band outwardly having that much fun with each other and with the audience. Such a great give-and-take between performer and crowd tonight. I would be curious to see a printed setlist because it seemed like they were having quite a few discussions between songs as the night went on - every moment just got better and better. The sound in there was perfect. The banter was hilarious. I've never seen Nels bow in appreciation of his fans that many times in one night, Pat was off in la-la land (in a good way) and when Kotche stood up and hailed the balcony before rocking out on -what was it?- I'm The Man Who Loves You? Did I mention the banter?

Supersweet. My only question is - why does every venue I go to seem to have strict curfew? Can't we just keep rocking?

Can't wait for a recording. Would really appreciate a PM as soon as it's available, but I'll try to check all the proper places.

Tweedy Solo? Was Nels sick in the back or something? Woww, can't wait for the setlist - plus I'm seeing them tomorrow.

Isn't the point of Someone Else's Song that it sounds like, uh, how do I say this - someone else's song? Those are pretty standard chord changes, although Wilco's song is the only thing I know of that is identical.

I had high expectations for this venue, the Overture Center being one of the most amazing places I ever dreamed of seeing Wilco. The sound was inconceivably perfect where I was sitting (way way way up high near the back) and that alone made up for all the shortcomings. For instance, the girl in front of me that couldn't hold her liquor. She sat on the edge of her seat, so I had to do the same to see the band over her. But then she kept flailing her arms over hear head and practically hitting me. This annoyed me, but then again I can't blame her because NO ONE up there was standing or dancing. Eventually I got fed up with the deadbeats and got my thrills during Red-Eyed and Blue > I Got You.

The band sounded absolutely amazing. I'm just glad I have good seats in Minneapolis to get out the minor frustrations from Madison. All in all this was well worth the road trip to madtown because of the unique atmosphere in the Overture Center.

My favorite moment was the groove in the middle of Pot Kettle Black. This is a show I would listen to on disc over and over.

I don't mind, but would you be willing to put a chair out for me?

They could probably clog up a lawnmower pretty good.

To be honest, if I liked the design better I'd probably buy them. The fact that you can't distinguish who's who though, and the fact that half of them look like a cross between a gangster and a Sasquatch make them less appealing to me. If it floats your boat though, congratulations.

I disagree. I bought them and I think the dolls are great. Yes, I said 'I think the dollars are great.' There are elements in the clothes and faces that were obviously made by true fans of the band and detail-oriented designers. I was a little disapointed by the packaging, which was described as a custom, protective carrying case but is nothing more than a shitty box that says Wilco in some fancy ink. For some reason, I expected a metal lock-box with molded foam.

yeah, but i'll have to get all that to you tomorrow.

I bought a limited editing print, a big poster signed and numbered by the artist. It's two weird figures humping and groping one another.

I don't believe Tweedy thinks about things on that level when he mixes the album. First of all, to suggest something like "fucking with fans" to his bandmates and all the people involved with the project would probably just evoke an awkward and embarassing response. I think that Tweedy and Co. just felt that it was a nice opener and sounded good that way to them. Why would they put forth all the work that it takes to make an album like that just to fuck with people? No way jos

Whoever said Elvis Costello first wins...his songs would be too perfect for them.

'All Those Yesterdays' Pearl Jam

Hey hey hey, don't give him a hard time. Jeeesh people can be sensitive around here. I probably should have actually searched for the other toys thread...it's just not in my habits as a poster (until now). Funny thing, if I had done that in the first place this thread would never have gone astray like this. Well, actually if Analogman had never put the link in there and been called out for it then things might have stayed sane, how ironic. But Analogman...I'm not offended, I totally get it. People can write here or there but at least the two threads are connected by your reply now.

So, uh, how about those toys?

(Nothing But) Flowers > Don't Forget The Flowers

Okay, I admit it, I dished out the fifty bucks for the limited edition UNKL figurines. Who else got em? Anyone already recieve their package...mine is supposed to come tomorrow and I'll post picks unless somebody already got 'em and wants to post.

what's wilco's cut?

All proceeds go to charity. Haven't decided which one yet... was going to ask Tweedy. Letters to Santa perhaps?

Jesus, Etc. Jesus fish sticker available now at my new Official Unofficial Wilco Memorabelia Shop

I'm not doing this to make a fortune, only a small fortune.

Lieberman said yesterday that America should invade Iran. Try worrying about that for a change. It is a sign of a wasteful and decadent culture when the populace ignores real issues and instead spends their time being distracted by entirely pointless trifles.

i saw your post in the other thread about not discussing invading iran and instead discussing wilco. while you definitley have a point on some level, the larger point is this: this is a forum largely to discuss the band. while it may seem that all we do is discuss the band, i've done several things today that has kept me in tune with the world and my life, and you know what? part of my day i spend here reading and communicating to other like-minded fans who want a few minutes' diversion from invading iran. who's to say, by the way, that i didn't just post to some other message board about the topic you mentioned? who's to say that i didn't just leave a meeting with the (insert relavant and important person here) discussing the invasion of iran and i need to give my brain a rest?

 

either way, if you've come here to post to get a rise out of folks, then you have a body count of at least one.

 

congratulations.

 

i hope that in your postings, though, you find that this is a pretty good place to divert one's brain for a few minutes.

 

i have to go, now...important meeting with the president.

Bumping my own thread. For many reasons: some good ones, some selfish ones. Feel free to discuss both the original topic and also possible reasons why this is relevant again today. Maybe I was paid to do it.

Had thought about proposing it myself.

I can't believe they would take part in something so...commercial. I almost went out and subscribed to AOL.

Jeff, is that you? Is touring in Europe really that boring you have to make a fake name and stir up some weird crap on the boards?

I haven't seen this ad yet, but it doesn't bother me. I work at an advertising agency right now and I'll vouch that most people in my industry don't have some evil motivation to use certain music in advertisements. Whoever convinced their producer to use the Wilco track must be a big fan of the band and wanted to show them some love.

What bothers me, or makes me laugh really, is when a band like Of Montreal whores out a song to Outback Steakhouse by letting the ad agency re-record the lyrics to be "Let's go Outback tonight." It doesn't make them a less talented act or anything, but it just speaks to the kind of music and attitude they have - willing to do anything to make a buck. So, I feel bad for their fans.

Hit List: Jeff Tweedy

The Wilco frontman on his favorite albums from the 1970s

By LORI BARRETT

May 19, 2007; Page P2

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy has moved through musical genres in his songwriting career, from the country stylings of his early music with Uncle Tupelo and Wilco to the experimental and deconstructed rock of Wilco's last two albums. In that time, Mr. Tweedy, 39, has faced a public split with his label (Reprise) and later with band member Jay Bennett -- chronicled in the documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." Wilco's newest album, "Sky Blue Sky," finds points of reference in the warm guitar arrangements and soulful organs of the 1970s. Below, Mr. Tweedy's favorite recordings from that decade.

Bob Dylan, 'Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II' (1971)

This two-record collection was compiled by Mr. Dylan, and includes several rarities and unreleased songs, along with hits like "Lay Lady Lay." The selection tends toward more of the songwriter's personal and introspective songs than his more politicized songs: "They're more ambiguous," Mr. Tweedy says. The song "I Shall Be Released," which Mr. Tweedy has covered, is on this recording.

* * *

Nick Drake, 'Pink Moon' (1972)

Mr. Drake, a reclusive singer and songwriter known for his unusual guitar tunings and acoustic playing, recorded only three albums before his death in 1974. "Pink Moon" is one Mr. Tweedy says he keeps going back to. Mr. Drake "has a beautiful fingerpicking style that I often try to emulate," he says.

* * *

Wings, 'Greatest' (1978)

This collection includes hits like "Band on the Run" and "Silly Love Songs," as well as singles that hadn't been released on the band's other albums, like the James Bond theme song "Live and Let Die." A friend gave this to Mr. Tweedy after he'd been injured in a bicycle accident. "I listened to it repeatedly while recuperating," he says.

* * *

Blondie, "Parallel Lines" (1978)

After signing with Chrysalis, Blondie recorded this record with producer Mike Chapman, and achieved their first hit with "Heart of Glass," a marriage of the disco and new-wave sounds that were popular at the time. "It's a great pop record," Mr. Tweedy says of this recording.

* * *

The Clash, 'London Calling' (1979)

Seen as both an artistic and commercial breakthrough for the Clash, this double album helped to cement the popularity of punk in the U.S. and made it into the Top 40 charts, largely propelled by the single "Train in Vain." "For me growing up, this record was huge," Mr. Tweedy says.

* * *

Does anyone know/have any tab for Gun? I just figured it out myself the other day after searching all over the web and couldn't find anything. If it hasn't been written out yet, I'll do it, but I don't want to waste the time if someone already has it...