junior five

As a lifelong Wilco fan (dating back to 1994), I think this is the record, along with Star Wars, that finally moves me into "disappointed" territory. I dig the first two songs on the new one and then it goes downhill fast. I mean, "Cry, cry, cry all day. Cry all night." Yikes. I'm still early in listening but songs 3-end just aren't grabbing me, with songs like "Common Sense" actually turning me off (this song is just brutal). I caught 3 of 5 Fillmore shows and although they're still great live, I do think it's clear that they've peaked, which given that the majority of the band is 20-25+ years into their careers, isn't surprising. But it is a bit of a bummer to see your favorite band on cruise control. 

Just for fun, here's how I'd rate their catalog:

AM B

BT A

ST A

YHF A

AGIB B

SBS B-

WTA C

TWL B+

SW D+

S C-/TBD

Nope. Wrong. But that's ok. I was wrong on this thread once too.

 

 

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On which front? Star Wars? That record is clunker city.

1 Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

2 Summerteeth

3 Being There

4 The Whole Love

5 A Ghost Is Born

6 Sky Blue Sky

7 AM

8 Wilco (the Album)

9 Star Wars 

Personally I don't get why so many people have such a strong reaction to the title of a record, or say that they can't "take the band seriously" because of a given title (or series of titles). What would you have them title it? "This album is a collection of songs and is meant to be taken seriously, thank you very much?"

 

Seriously, though, maybe it would help me understand if folks would cite some album titles that they do like/love...

It just seems silly to me and kind of damages the overall narrative. Is that me overthinking it? Perhaps, but it's just my take. In terms of musical content, here's how I'd rate their catalog on the Pitchfork scale:

AM 7.3

BT 9.3

ST 9.0

M1 8.9

M2 7.0

YHF 9.7

Ghost 8.5

SBS 8.0

Album 6.9

WL 8.7

SW 5.7

I totally get the premise.  My first reaction to the album title was a groan.  It's like they're looking for names for novelty records, a la Weird Al or something.  For SW, we were able to hear the music at the same time we heard the title, so there wasn't much time to react solely to the title.  And I love the music on SW.  And the first two songs we have from this one sound great too.  But yeah, the titles are off-putting for me.  Not indicative of the music at all.

I get that the band isn't taking itself so seriously, so that's great.  But it sure seems like they're going a little over the top to find album names to prove their point on that notion.  I thought having W(TA) as an album name would have done that already.  SW should have cemented it. 

Here's hoping for (and fully expecting) another fabulous group of songs under that unfortunate nomenclature...

Well put!

It's hard to take your premise seriously. Album names is how you're going to judge a band?

Also the content. Star Wars is a clunker and Schmilco, which I have a difficult time even typing, is not off to a good start.

Considering that three of the last four album titles have been (the album), Star Wars and Schmilco, is it becoming sorta hard to take the band seriously. I should note that I am a lifelong fan, dating back to UT. I've seen Wilco probably about 75x, I've been to two Solid Sounds and I've loved every record up until SW, which I thought was mediocre at best. I've heard the first few tracks on the new one and I'm left scratching my head. They sound, similar to SW, uninspired and going through the motions.

Again, I am about as big of a Wilco fan as there is, but......I'm just starting to wonder.....

I will making my first trip to SS this year. I've probably seen Wilco 60x, dating back to Johnny D's in Somerville, MA, Dec 1995. Very much looking forward to the trip. If you'd like to potentially hang, I'm at @autumnsouvenir.

Safe travels, everyone.

Chris

This was the best Wilco show I've seen in a few years. Being one of the old crotchety fans who misses the days of yore, this felt a bit like late 90s Wilco. "Shouldn't Be Ashamed" was the highlight with "Laminated Cat" and "Wishful Thinking" right behind. A fantastic set list and Jeff seemed very youthful and relaxed.

I've seen Wilco probably 60+ times, dating back to 12/94 and a few months back in Brooklyn was the first time I ever departed a Wilco show early. Last night really made up for that disappointing show. In Brooklyn, they seemed to be a band going through the motions. Last night was completely different.

I still wish they'd kill Heavy Metal/Man, but hey, even I was dancing during this.

Where do we think it will debut? #1?

1. Art of Almost - 8/10

2. I Might - 7/10

3. Sunloathe - 6/10

4. Dawned on Me - 7/10

5. Black Moon - 8/10

6. Born Alone - 8/10

7. Open Mind - 7/10

8. Cap City - 7/10

9. Standing O - 6/10

10. Red Rising Lung - 7/10

11. Whole Love - 9/10

12. One Sunday Morning - 9/10

Wilco is so good in terms of artist-to-fan, but now two days post release, after dropping $75 on the deluxe set, I can say that I'm starting to get frustrated. I suppose it's possible that someone could've stolen the package in my building, but now three emails to Kung Fu and no response. That's just poor customer service.

I live in SF and ordered weeks ago. This s**ks it.

Am I the only person on the planet who hasn't received the pre-order? I placed my order with Wilco/King Fu about three weeks ago and still nothing. I will probably cry.

Two emails to KF today went unanswered.

My review of last night's show: http://www.autumnsouvenir.com/2011/09/wilco-merriweather-post-pavillion.html

my take: http://www.autumnsouvenir.com/2011/09/first-impressions-of-wilcos-whole-love.html

1 Summerteeth

2 Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

3 Being There

4 The Whole Love (though clearly too early to tell)

5 AM

6 A Ghost Is Born

7 Sky Blue Sky

8 Wilco (The Album)

I recently picked up a ticket to see Wilco at the Merriweather in Maryland. Now, I will say up front that I often find the whole ticketing fees argument to be a tired one, but the fees assessed to this purchase seemed pretty absurd.

$40 to see Wilco is a good price. No complaints here.

$5 service charge is reasonable compared to other services.

$12 "delivery fee" is outrageous. Ummmm, why not just pop it in the ol' mail? Do I really need a $12 UPS charge for a paper ticket?

A pal of mine, and longtime Wilco fan, has sworn off future Wilco shows after last night. Not because of the performance, but rather the crowd. He said that Wilco's following, at least at this show, has become unbearable. In his words, something about a perfect mix of frat boys and Phish-loving fools. He said that almost everyone near him was either talking the entire time or on their cell phones.

Oh, and Jeff: How about San Francisco?

Great Time...However...17 songs was a little weak.

I was looking at my notes from 2005 in Kingston and he played 24 songs.

What gives?

Bummer. I missed out. Lucky folks!

I just found it by digging around on the order page. No big deal.

I don't know what "core enough" means, but I just think the immediate need to jump on these things is silly. I assume they're just posting tour dates and stuff, which in my "core enough" opinion is cool. I just can't stand artists who use Twitter to display their lives. That ain't core.

it's obvious.

 

junior five doesn't think it's core enough.

Outside of The Jayhawks, Olson's work has far exceeded Gary's. "The Salvation Blues" is an excellent record and Mark's records under The Original Ridge Creek Dippers are all excellent. Gary's solo record is mediocre and Ready for the Flood is scattered. Gary works much better with others. Mark works great both ways.

I bought Vagabonds when it came out. I gave it a few spins but I didn't like it. To me, it was boring and I feel like Louris fits better in a band than on his own.

Song kinda stinks. I still have no clue why there isn't more love/performances of "I'll Fight."

Are Wilco really on Twitter? Yuck.

Man, not a lot of love for Deeper Down here. True, it never takes off and is not a particularly hard-hitting tune, but I think there's a lot of interesting stuff going on in it. The lyrics, the dark melody, and Glenn's superb but subtle drumming make it a great song IMO.

to my ears, it's by far the best song on the last record.

I absolutely love this song. From the very first time i heard it on W(TA) to the live versions. I love it. I must have listened to it liek 15 times in a row when i first bought the album. And i'm listening to 11-04-09 at work right now and it just came on. I keep listening and relistening and felt compelled to start a thread about it.

 

After reading some reviews from W(TA) i remember a lot of people not really like this song. but i truly think it's one of the best on the album

 

I really like the folky feel of the lyrics and feel that Jeff's delivery of them is perfect. The guitar intro is great, and Nels pedal steel is amazing. Just another great Wilco song.

 

also noting, the handshake drugs, pot kettle black, i'll fight from 11-04-09 is just a steller song placement in the setlist. very awesome. i thin i spent about 45 minutes just listening to those three songs over and over.

 

have a great friday vc!

1 Being There

2 Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

3 Summerteeth

4 Sky Blue Sky

5 AM

6 A Ghost Is Born

7 The Album