Preferred B

Word from Jazzfest: self-titled.

Nothing confirmed yet on that, as far as I know. I heard May bandied about, but it seems too close to not have finalized album artwork or anything. Maybe another good thing coming in June, or July.

Album art! http://www.frenz.com/neilfinn/ Apparently not confirmed, but "it has a good vibe."

Spotted!

It's up to you, man. Nobody can give you a concrete answer. But if you're assuming Brooklyn won't have an opener just because the opener isn't Conor Oberst, I'd say that's not necessarily the case.

I remember reading an interview where Jeff said that when one obscure song was voted way up for any particular show it was obvious someone was stuffing the ballot box.

Things will get crazy(er) around here if every new review or article gets a new thread. On the other hand, sticking them in long discussion threads means that people who don't bother going into those threads anymore wouldn't see them. So, just as someone started for the Ashes DVD, here's a thread where these things can go. There will be a lot of them coming up, I'm sure. Timeout Chicago Summer Music Preview: http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/music/...wilco-the-album

You Never Know is damned catchy. I loved the piano. It's hard not to break my own rule about listening to the live recordings, but I really do think (for me) it makes for a more enjoyable album-listening experience.

Lovely, Charles!

Soundcheck at Cain's Ballroom.

I loved it. I'm eager to hear it again, however it eventually surfaces. It's a faster song. I'm really bad at descriptions of songs, sorry! Thanks!

Interesting! I thought it was going to be a b-side. If it is officially on the record, maybe there was some positive test market feedback or something.

Seconding all the good things said about the Pabst. I love it there. Speaking of the "No Buck" shows, I couldn't believe that they just had The Tallest Man on Earth play there for free. I wish I could have gone.

There was never any guarantee that any of this will be used. But I certainly am curious about the concept.

It started later than it was originally supposed to, and some friends and I witnessed part of it before going over to dinner. The photographer had three of the band's Nudie suits along with her - I think it was both of Jeff's suits and Nels's suit. She eyeballed the crowd and picked three people to go into the theater and put them on. (I hope one of those folks pops up here.) There was also a birthday cake. I didn't see exactly how that prop was involved. When the models emerged they were strategically placed in the line with everyone else. Then there was a bunch of photo taking. Othe

There was also a birthday cake at the fan photo shoot. I personally enjoy not knowing anything beyond the crazy randomness of the props. Whether this all winds up as the album artwork or not.

I noticed yesterday that the front scrolling marquee on the #15 city bus that passes on Water Street sometimes displays "VIA CHICAGO." That would have been a perfect photo with the Pabst in the background, but obviously you'd need a dedicated photographer with a bus schedule. (Or an accommodating bus driver.) Here are some photos I took yesterday. More will be up later. (start of fashion show)

Last time (thanks, Wilcobase) they weren't on tour at all until the month before the album's release. At those shows it looks like they were playing anywhere from 2-5 new songs ... but the album had also streamed in its entirety from WilcoWorld a month before that.

Probably just the fact that the album isn't out until June.

You and me both, sister. If anyone was wondering about the flurry of boos and crescendo of cheers during Hate it Here, someone had thrown a Cubs hat onstage earlier and Nels threw it at Jeff during the song. Jeff had a "debate" about which to put back on, and (wisely) chose the Brewers hat - but later he switched and then switched back. And the Nels Cline catwalk interlude was hilarious. Shouldn't Be Ashamed may have been my favorite song of the night. I'm assuming there's a webcast thread that will explain the "I want to fuck her really badly" discussion.

The Kenosha Kickers!

Too late for a nap, ma'am?

By my comparison just now on Wilcobase, last time Wilco played in Milwaukee (2007) they played 13 of the same songs they played on 4/14/09. Roughly half the setlist was different? Not too shabby.

Wow, I guess I just never noticed. I thought it was the new '09 Hate it Here model.

I don't have a setlist either (someone does!) but I am 98% sure "Forget the Flowers" was not among the songs played last night. It was a fun show to kick off the 2009 tour. Seems like a long time since they played Milwaukee, and we definitely got the full complement of Wisconsin pandering. Another comment I liked on the jacket ... after talking about the exact smell of the ketchup/sweat combo Jeff added, "Smells like America!" He seemed to try to attribute that to Nels, but it was hard to discern what was behind that bit of ribbing. Oh, and maybe this isn't new for 2009, but I hadn't se