fkinbs

Maybe we can merge this with the "I sure hope Jeff Tweedy doesn't read VC" thread.

Message boards are an interesting culture. I wanted to post in the aforementioned thread but it was locked.

AC: The piano was so rich on this new album too.

JT: Thank you. When the record leaked, and this is probably what started a lot of my introspection in what we're talking about, in terms of communication and what the dialogue is. When the record leaked, I could not resist the curiosity I had to see what some people were saying on chat groups. One of the first things I read was this diatribe, just merciless, about how awful the record sounded and how there was not one real instrument on the entire record. "It's obviously keyboard samples and that crappy pick-up that Tweedy uses in his acoustic guitar." Unbelievable. It couldn't be farther from the truth and this guy's judging this from a ripped MP3 and he's listening to it through computer speakers most likely. It was like, "Wow." I realized I'm up against it. We walked out of the studio thinking, "That's about as good a sounding record as we can make." We felt like, "Wow. That sounds like real music." That's all we're really going for [laughs].

I recently adopted a camel (haven't we all?) but I don't see what that has to do with the leak (which I have obtained and listened to). I will be purchasing the album on vinyl (why not? It's like $6 more and you get a copy of the CD).

Oh my lord my favorite thread is back ....

And I'm not even drunk.

I've always found the comparison to be valid.

Radiohead is to Brit Pop what Wilco is to American Folk/Rock.

Both bands debut albums were shining examples of their respective genres and then their constant efforts to evolve within those genres from album to album are apparent.

I do not, however, find the album by album comparison to be so rigid.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot I find far more comparible to Ok Computer than Summerteeth. YHF isn't nearly as a much of a departure as Kid A. I don't find an album to juxtapose in Wilco's catalog(ue) with Kid A or Amnesiac. Wilco hasn't strayed as far from A.M. as Radiohead has from Pablo Honey, but that doesn't mean that Wilco has fallen short in their experimentation by any stretch of the imagination.

For being 19 you have a great perspective on things. My suggestion is to never give too much thought to anyone's musical opinion but your own. You can listen to others' opinions, but take them with a grain of salt. Only you can live in your own head.

Sometimes I can't listen to Impossible Germany without hearing You Are My Face first. I find the album sequencing to be top notch.

I will never say that I will understand the dislike of SBS since this was the album that brought me into the Wilco fold. In the past year I have gotten into every single thing Jeff has ever done, mostly because of the combination of the song Sky Blue Sky and the DVD companion piece to it where Jeff explains where it came from.

I've become quite the fan of their entire catalog and have now moved onto the Uncle Tupelo stuff (which will then lead me into Son Volt I'm sure, I already dig Trace quite a bit).

To see the disdain for SBS is just strange. They set out to do something simple yet compact and they pulled it off. But people can't get over the fact that things evolve and change and can never be the same. It's pretty universal when it comes to music. The early material is always cannonized and the latter material is always shunned. I see it as a lack of effort on the part of the listener. That may sound harsh but when it comes down to it the people who claim SBS is subpar are really saying that they have a better perspective on where Wilco should head than Wilco.

So nod and smile to the hipsters, they obviously know more. But when you get home, enjoy whatever you want to enjoy.

"Moby - I have no opinion of whether or not you belong. But you are a tool, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to say so."

 

I have to say this. Tool or no, he is a pretty impressive musician. I saw him at a private event a few years ago in NY and I was pretty blown away. I was assuming that since his recorded music is highly sampled and techno, that his concert would be too, but, he can really play guitar and rock too. He had great musicians backing him up and a really amazing female singer. And as a bonus, he played some of his own songs in multiple genres and covers too--2 of my favorite things!

 

Let the insults fly.

I'm not really all that surprised that he's a talented musician or that people like him and his music. I really wasn't looking to insult him.

I just think he's a teabag. That's all.

Lists like these always make me jump out of my skin for one reason or another. Usually for omitting certain names. This time it's the opposite.

Ingrid Michaelson - Regardless if you like her or not, she's only been around for a couple of months and already she's on a list detailing Top 100 somethings in 15 years?! Okay, more than a couple of months, she put out an album in 05, but c'mon. I know you want to include more females, but let's not get carried away.

Vampire Weekend - They put out their debut album in Jan 08. How could they possibly have been that influential in 6 months?

O.A.R, Sister Hazel - you simply do not belong. Sorry.

Widespread Panic - influential songwriters? I really like some of their tunes, and the craft therein. Still, you probably do not belong on this list.

Joan Jett - the two songs we all know by you were written by other people. Other than that, you rule.

OutKast - you belong. But doesn't it bother you that you are always the token hip-hop act? Acts like Atmosphere are far more deserving than Sister Hazel.

Moby - I have no opinion of whether or not you belong. But you are a tool, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to say so.

Speaking of tools, where is Tool? Or System of a Down if you are getting into that genre.

Big Ups for including Alison Krauss. (Now you can include Union Station) I've also heard great things about Marty Stuart and Jesse Harris.

Furthermore, why point out the songwriters in certain instances (Frank Black, Dave Matthews, Jack White) but point out the bands in others (Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, Death Cab, Phish)? Either single out the songwriter or don't. Don't tell me that the rest of the Pixies weren't integral to Frank Black or the rest of the band to Dave Matthews, you are splitting hairs.

About two years ago Paste did a similar article on the greatest living songwriters, that one was just awful.

the wilco fanbase needs to get together and get this down, but the band is gonna need to start playing a lot more king pin. The woos in dmb's warehouse might be the coolest concert thing going on now wilco fans need something like that

That's funny that you mention the Warehouse (and Joyride) part as one the coolest concert things going on .... from what I've seen on the Dave boards I assume most of those fans hate the WOO(s).

I would agree though, being a big Dave fan and a big Wilco fan that I would not like to see Wilco's shows become anything like a DMB show. But I suppose that works both ways.

But more than anything else, I would not like to see Wilco's fans become like Dave's fans. If you find yourself believing you would make better decisions for Wilco than Jeff .... than you are starting to see the symptoms. I guess that goes for all bands eventually.

This is off-topic but My Morning Jacket's fans have thrown them under the bus in their forums for Evil Urges. And that album is every bit as brilliant as any of theirs in the past.

If you re-think this, you will see that in fact I am correct. You are looking at the exercise too narrowly.

I disagree, circle does not get the square.

ST

AGIB

SBS

BT

YHF

AM

FYI .... Fail

This thread gives me reason to get out of bed in the morning.

yankee, sky blue sky, summerteeth, ghost, being there, am

Fail

Although pretty much everybody puts AM first, there is an argument to be made for putting it last.

Fail

Best thread ever. It should win awards.

I completely concur it's:

AM

BT

ST

YHF

AGIB

SBS

If only you could all see the truth in all it's glory.

Yeah, but that's when he burned someone else, not when he got burnt himself.

I gave him a tip of my cap, I don't think he saw it.

I hear you have nice beaches.

I didn't originally see that you were kidding.

And then I did.

I didn't laugh.

How does one gracefully react when they've been burned (well)?

So if somebody doesn't like a phrase Jeff has written, then that person is wrong to feel that way. Is that what you're implying?

Not at all. Diff'rent Strokes.

Specifically, the song What Light is about artistic license. Say what you want to say, paint what you want to paint ..... don't care about what anybody thinks since it makes no difference what anybody thinks.

It's like he wrote a song that was almost free from criticism because of it's theme (which I understand that it would be ridiculous, to be free from criticism). And then someone says it sucks.

That's the definition of irony.

P.S. I am also a "nobody is wrong" kind of person.

What an interesting thread.

Not sure it's overly negative, since the replies level out the negativity.

Almost every single line mentioned is one that I particularily like ....

"for you I swoon"

The entire lyrics to Casino Queen

etc.

But I found it really interesting a few weeks back when someone mentioned that the song What Light was basically lyrical blasphemy (to them). I mean, he's a songwriter's songwriter (I think), pretty highly respected (I hope), and in general most folks who dig Wilco get into Tweedy's lyrics ....

So he writes a song about songwriting (or the autonomy of art), who's basic message is ... Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, just do your best to express yourself, and only work to please yourself .... and someone thinks that is lyrical blasphemy?

If anyone would be an "expert" on the topic, I would think he'd qualify. And you tell him that he is wrong?

So basically I read the comment to mean, "if you have something to express, please be cognizant of whether or not it sucks."

That type of sentiment makes me cringe, or an example of something you I can't stand hearing.

Forgive me for not being incredibly adept with search functions, I'm relatively new to actually posting to forums .... but I kinda like you guys and I really dig this band.

I'm relatively new to Wilco, friends had been trying to get me to listen to them for years, but for some reason Sky Blue Sky really stuck with me and caused me to get into EVERYTHING they've ever done.

Anyhow, I'm a bit of Ryan Adams fan since I like Cold Roses so damn much. Follow the Lights is pretty good. Most of his other stuff .... I guess I'm waiting for it to sink in. I like 29 too.

I guess my question as a newbie to the discussion is what articles/interviews have Tweedy and Adams taken jabs at each other's work?

I read an interview with RA that he gave around the time of his release of Heartbreaker where he said that he thought he was a much better songwriter than JT. As a matter of factual basis I don't really mind him saying that, since at the time, I think on AM would have come out by then (as well as the Uncle Tupelo stuff). I really think BT was where Tweedy pole-vaulted himself past the pack in terms of songwriting. I guess my problem with RA is that he would bother to say such a thing in the first place.

Rank ordering who is better as an artist is something critics and fans do. Whether or not they should do it is open to interpretation. But having someone as an artist come out and say that they are a better songwriter than anyone is strange to me.

But then again, I completely agree with the opinion that Ryan should be a bit more of an editor to his own material, he seems to put out just about anything he dreams up in the shower.

I guess I'm looking more for things that Jeff has said about Mr. Adams and his material. It certainly wouldn't shock me if he has said anything scathing, but I would still be surprised a bit.

You're actually gonna be parking in the neighborhood at my best recollection. I would imagine the parking lot across the street will be utilized (so yes, you could park at the school) but for some reason I don't remember being able to do that. Might fill up too quick, something like that.

Since I only have a one cup coffee maker it would be difficult to host the guys. I was actually hoping Jeff would run by so I could run along side him with whatever I happen to be carrying. But last night we got about 4 inches of snow so I'm not holding my breath.

I'm actually moving across town next week, I was so glad that this is happening on my last friday night in the old place.

Winking Lizard is a tad corporate, but it works and it's close.

Try the $4 32 oz draft. Best deal in town.

I'll be there (not that anyone really knows who I am).

Hi, my name is Chris. I live about 1/4 mile from the venue. I think it's cool as hell that I get to see one of my favorite bands at the local high school.

I skimmed over the responses thusfar and my only suggestion is that the Melt will be a long wait and it takes forever to get your food.

If you want a good beer selection and a decent atmosphere without the wait try the Winking Lizard Tavern. It's right on Detroit Ave straight up Bunts (140th).

I suggest this since it is extremely close to the venue and probably will be where I'm at when I get out of work.

Feel free to ask more Lakewood questions, hopefully my two years here will help. Johnny Mango's is a good choice but it's on the other side of Lakewood.

Though I have read them for years (yet new to VC) I've never posted on a forum for any band in my life.

But that picture of the baby after the article may have been my favorite posting ever.

I give kudos.