mtt_wojo

November 4, 2009

I have two playlist as far as Jeff's stuff goes in my iPod. One is titled 'Wilco Collection' and the other is called 'Jeff Tweedy Related Projects'. The Wilco collection is mostly every song, rarity, b-side in chronological order. I also lumped the Mermaid Avenue stuff in there that only Jeff sings. It actually is a nice flow from the Being There stuff and then into Summerteeth. I think it works. Under my 'Jeff Tweedy Related Projects' playlist, I just created a mix that I thought had the best flow to it (excluding any covers. I'm all about the originals). If anyone's interested, it goes like this:

1. Golden Smog: Radio King

2. Loose Fur: The Ruling Class

3. Loose Fur: Pretty Sparks

4. Uncle Tupelo: New Madrid

5. Loose Fur: Laminated Cat

6. Golden Smog: I Can't Keep From Talking

7. Uncle Tupelo: The Long Cut

8. Loose Fur: Wanted

9. Golden Smog: Please Tell My Brother

10. Uncle Tupelo: Black Eye

11. Loose Fur: Hey Chicken

12. Golden Smog: Long Time Ago

13. Uncle Tupelo: Gun

14. Loose Fur: Apostolic

15. Uncle Tupelo: Fatal Wound

16. Loose Fur: You Were Wrong

17. Jeff Tweedy: Inner Voice

18. Golden Smog: Lost Love

19. Uncle Tupelo: Wait Up

20. Golden Smog: Pecan Pie

21. Uncle Tupelo: We've Been Had

22. Minus 5: The Family Gardener

23. Uncle Tupelo: No Sense In Lovin'

24. 7 Worlds Collide: What Could Have Been

25. Loose Fur: Chinese Apple

26. Uncle Tupelo: Acuff-Rose

27. Loose Fur: Wreckroom

28. Golden Smog: All The Same To Me

I know I'm missing a few here and there but I just picked out my favorites and made a mix. Some of the other stuff I either forgot about or just doesn't grab me.

October 30, 2009

Isn't Jeff using a Prunes n' Custard pedal there? I feel like we've discussed that particular solo before. Perhaps someone with a little more familiarity with that pedal can confirm -- I know that he used that pedal quite a bit on "A Ghost is Born."

UPDATE: During this thread, someone suggested that the PnC was the pedal used during that solo (as well as in "Hell is Chrome"):

http://forums.viachicago.org/topic/20350-crowther-prunes-and-custard-pedal/page__hl__prunes%20ALTHWYS__fromsearch__1

Rowboat, don't you have one? What do you think -- is it the culprit?

Thanks. I actually looked up some of the gear that Jeff and Nels use live and saw all these pedals I have never heard of. I youtube'd a lot of them and while the videos are not great, they certainly give an indication of what these pedals are capable of (minus the hair metal riffs in the videos-ha ha).

With Christmas coming up I think I have a 'few' ideas.

October 29, 2009

See, I have a Dan-Echo pedal. I used a straight sound for the past few years but recently pulled out all my old pedals and have been messing around with them but I don't know how well the Dan-Echo holds out against the DD-4. What settings do you think would help achieve either of those sounds.

I'm thinking adding a chorus or a flanger onto that wouldn't hurt, either.

October 29, 2009

I tried searching the thread but I was curious about two things:

1. If anyone knows how Jeff/Nels create the guitar sounds at the end of Handshake Drugs (live)? It's this gigantic blast of sound and I was wondering what's creating it. I realize Nels is picking extremely fast and Jeff slightly behind but I cannot figure out what pedals they are using. Probably an echo/flanger mixed with something else.

2. What pedals/effects Jeff is using during the solo for At Least That's What You Said. Very Neil Young. I'm assuming lots of reverb to get the wet/slapback effect.

Any thoughts?

September 16, 2009

mtt you ever heard of The Other One or Caution or Born Cross Eyed or The Eleven?
Pretty nasty and stinging if you ask me.

Yes I have. I love some of those songs but put them up next to Spiders or Bull Black Nova and tell me how similar they sound? I was just pointing out that I don't think Wilco qualifies as sounding more like the Grateful Dead than anyone else. I don't see how they sound like them at all, really besides the point I made earlier about Being There and probably AM. Someone else mentioned Uncle Tupelo and I'd have to say their probably closer (the later years) than Wilco is/was.

September 16, 2009

What would be a good band name?

The GREATEST band name of all time falls on two:

1. Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch

2. The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Both for obvious reasons.

September 16, 2009

The band that sounds most like the GD right now, excluding DSO, is Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Durring some of the longer extended jams in Easy Plateau or Mockingbird, i often find myself comparing the guitar work to Jerry. Absolutley amazing current music.

Totally agree with this comment. Especially 'Easy Plateau' and 'Goodbye Rose'.

Anyways, back to Wilco and the person who started this thread, they sound nothing like the Grateful Dead. Some aspects of their songs (particularly Being There's more country/folksy numbers) are similar as both bands were steeped in traditional sounding songs: pedal steels, finger-picked acoustic, and the timbre in Jeff's voice can be somewhat reminiscent of Jerry's. But now, with Nels and this last album, absolutely not. In fact, I don't think there's anything on the last album that you could draw a line to. And if you're referring to live, in what sense? 'Impossible Germany's' coda sounds more like the Allman's. 'At Least That's What You Said's' guitar 'freakout' sounds like a tribute to Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Tell me when GD did anything as nasty and stinging as 'Spiders'. No offense but I think you're out of your mind.

September 16, 2009

The world is filled with stupid band names: The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Dr. Dog, Eels, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pearl Jam. Even Uncle Tupelo and Wilco are kind of dumb names when you REALLY think about them. But if the music is good the name will become numb to people after awhile.

Personally, 'World Record Players' sounds like a Revue type band...which may work for you. It's kind of a soft/easy to forget type of name so you might have to work even harder to get people to notice. Just saying is all. Good luck.

August 28, 2009

I appreciate the new album because I've never had a least favorite Wilco album before.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

August 28, 2009

Wow, thank you. I cannot wait to get home from work. Thank you so much.

August 28, 2009

I don't know, if someone wants to help me out that'd be cool. I've spent the better part of an hour scouring the internet trying to find those songs. I'll look some more once I get home from work. I'd hate to ask for a handout but I just can't find these.

I have a bunch of rarities, b-sides, demos...etc. so I'd love to help someone out if they can help me. Anyways, thanks again.

August 28, 2009

I was very underwhelmed the first time I had listened to this. I think some people were overtly excited when they heard Jeff talk about using the studio more this time...only to find out it just meant they overdubbed a few things here and there. I kept seeing everybody posting 'best album' or rating it very highly and I was just...what? Are we listening to the same album. I like the album okay now. It's not as 'important' as their others, but I don't think it ever tried to be. My biggest issues are some of the lyrics/aspects of the production.

I hate the line 'Wilco will love you baby.' Just hits me the wrong way...like the band is ready to give you a good, solid gang bang. No thanks.

I think One Wing end a little too short. I think they should have rocked it out more at the end. Nonetheless, I still love the song and rank it as one of their finest.

You Never Knowwith it's 'Come on children...' line. Don't like it but I think the song is very catchy.

Country Disappeared has some of the greatest lyrics Jeff has ever written set to some of the most low key, boring instrumentation I've ever heard. I know opinion is split on this song so it's probably a grower I just haven't 'gotten' yet.

My biggest problem with any song would have to be Everlasting. The lyrics are a little weak at times but Glenn's drumming, especially when Jeff sings 'Every wave...' and the drums actually sound like waves crashing, is very cool. I also like the beautiful guitar solos Nels added toward the end of the song. But the chorus...those harmonies and bells just make it sound so corny. I'm sorry, but it sounds a little too dramatic.

I wouldn't rank this very high compared to their other work. Somewhere after Yankee, Summerteeth, Being There, and Ghost. In fact, I'd put it right next to Sky Blue Sky (which I do like), right above A.M. (which I also like).

August 28, 2009

Ha ha. Thanks guys. Promos? Looks like I don't have a chance in hell in ever finding these songs. Oh well for being a completist. Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

August 28, 2009

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find these two songs or where they came from? I know they're older songs but I can't seem to find much information regarding them? Are they any good? What era...etc.

August 7, 2009

If every Wilco album sounded the exact same, they'd be accused of not having enough sonic exploration/creativity. I don't understand how people confuse or don't understand the meaning of "creativity."

To me, each of those progressions, the tours, albums and songs within them are nothing but an exploration of sound and the creative possibilities of music. If Wilco kept making YHF after YHF, would that be considered pushing the envelope? Or is pushing the envelope being brave enough to take risks with your music, try different approaches, and make the music that reflects who you are as an artist at that time?

To echo what some other posters have said: Wilco making music that you don't enjoy as much doesn't equate to a creative decline, and to make this assertion is fine (it's your opinion), but it's pretty damn tough to back up.

In response to this, I didn't mean a creative decline. Obviously, they still write amazing songs. And I'm not expecting another YHF because that would be absolutely dumb. As a fan, there are certain things in the past that have always drawn me into Wilco:

1. Jeff's songwriting

2. The craftsmanship and attention to detail they put into their songs

3. The nuances you don't hear anyone else doing.

When I say pushing the envelope/being creative, let me give you an example: On Sky Blue Sky, during 'Walken' there is a part where the song climaxes and all the instruments are building up to this finale...only to have that one string continue after the music fades going 'duh duh, duh duh, duh duh, duh dunt' and the other members slowly add to that and the song swells back up again before it ends. That's f'n brilliant. I don't need a song swarming with buzzes, clicks and distortion to be wowed.

All I was saying is that those moments are less and less apparent. And there are moments on the new album where I don't feel they are playing up to their strengths:

1. Wilco (The Song)-'Wilco will love you baby'

2. You Never Know- I thought some of the lyrics were trite and parts of the arrangement were boring.

3. Country Disappeared- Amazing lyrics (best on the whole album) set to a lazy song with nothing happening.

4. Everlasting Everything- Those bells/gongs and backup harmonies...too mellowdramatic for my taste.

Did I enjoy the rest of the album? Of course I did. I think the other songs are great. I don't need to have everything overdressed for the party, you know? But can I understand people's reaction being underwhelmed? Yes, and I guess that depends on what they were looking for. There was less nuance in this than SBS. Very produced and slick. There's nothing on it that they haven't done already is what I think most people are saying. Playing together and gelling well are not a sign of creativity. It's a sign of being a great band. Don't confuse the two.

August 7, 2009

I felt that since Being There to Ghost, Wilco were on a roll. There was nothing about their albums that made me cringe. I loved every new aspect and sound they were trying to achieve. Then there was the shock that came from Sky Blue Sky. There was no more sonic exploration/creativity that they had been known for. No more pushing the envelope. And that's fine. But starting with Sky Blue Sky (which I like very much now, despite three songs) they eased into playing it safe. And it was very shocking at the time.

Now, Wilco (The Album) starts off with a song that makes me cringe every time I hear the chorus. We get 'Wilco will love you baby' where we used to get something, I don't know, a bit more meaningful. Jeff's got the right to do away with the 'seriousness' of his words. But he's written other joke songs that are great. 'The Ruling Class' is hilarious. But it's got something. Jeff has written cute songs alongside his more serious work for his entire career. Wilco (The Song) is not the first time he's played down the importance of his words. I guess in the past he was being whimsical, even tongue in cheek, where as now he's playing up the laughs. I just don't like it.

In closing, I will say this. With Sky Blue Sky and W(TA), Wilco has taken some steps backwards from their previous work. Are they bad? Absolutely not. They are just not as solid as what came before. But at least with every album that comes out, there are still going to be songs that make me smile and glad to be a Wilco fan. Jeff is a great songwriter. I look forward to everything he does. Sometimes he misses the mark and other times he hits it out of the park.

August 3, 2009

You can copy and paste your list into the thread called "Let's Do This Right", where ViaChicagoans are gonna tally their own Top 20 list. Good lyric choices.

Another Man's Done Gone IS fantastic, but I believe Billy Bragg wrote that song.

Thanks. I posted it up there.

From what I read in the Wilco book, Jay basically said that Billy came up with three chords to the songs. Jay added more embellishments to the chords and sequence and Jeff came up with this beautiful melody. Basically a group collaboration, yet when the album came out, it was only listed to Billy. Apparently he thought the three chords he came up with were the 'germ' of the song.

August 3, 2009

1.Sunken Treasure: ‘Music is my savior/I was maimed by rock & roll/I was tamed by rock & roll/

I got my name…from rock and roll’

2.Poor Places: ‘And it makes no difference to me how they cried all over overseas/when it’s hot in the poor places tonight…I’m not going outside’

3.Jesus, etc.: ‘Tall buildings shake, voices escape carrying sad, sad songs/tuned to chords strung down your cheeks, bitter melodies turning your orbit around’

4.Ashes of American Flags: ‘All my lies are always wishes, you know I would die if I could come back new’

5.Via Chicago: ‘I dreamed about killing you again last night and it felt alright to me…’

6.I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: ‘I am an American aquarium drinker/I assassin down the avenue…’

7.A Shot In The Arm: 'Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm/Something in my veins, bloodier than blood’

8.Misunderstood: ‘I’d like to thank you all for nothing at all’

9.Remember The Mountain Bed: ‘…people laugh and love and dream, they fight, they hate to die’

10.Cars Can’t Escape ‘…there were reasons for you to love me but I gave you none’

11.California Stars ‘…they hang like grapes on vines that shine and warm the lovers glass like a friendly wine’

12.She’s A Jar: ‘…a pretty war with feeling hid/you know she begs me not to hit her’

13.Please Tell My Brother: ‘…and as I travel from coast to coast/I feel your love and I feel your ghost’

14.Impossible Germany: ‘But this is what love is for/To be out of place/gorgeous and alone/face to face’

15.At Least That’s What You Said: ‘…I thought it was cute for you to kiss my purple black eye/even though I caught it from you/I still think we’re serious’

16.One Wing: ‘…one wing will never ever fly, dear/neither yours or mine, I fear we can only wave goodbye’

17.Gun: ‘Don’t tell me which way I ought to run or what good I could do anyone because my heart, it was a gun but it’s unloaded now’

18.You Are My Face: ‘I have no idea how this happens/all of my maps have been overthrown/happenstance has changed my plans so many times that my heart has been outgrown/Now everybody’s feeling all alone/I can’t tell you who I am’

19.Laminated Cat: ‘Summer comes and gravity undoes you/you’re happy because of the lovely way the sunshine bends’

20.Another Man’s Done Gone: ‘Well I don’t know/I may go down or up or anywhere/But I feel like this scribbling might stay’

And that's my list. Hope you guys like it.

Close calls: (by order of release) New Madrid, The Long Cut, Forget The Flowers, Someone Else’s Song, No Poetry, One By One, Pieholden Suite, Magazine Called Sunset, Handshake Drugs…there’s so many. A list of just 20 is so hard to do.

August 3, 2009

I really don't think this guys list made the grade. I agree with some of his choices but the placement for some songs is absolutely atrocious so I decided to make my own list. I debated whether or not to put up the 'Mermaid Avenue' stuff but decided that it deserves to be up here. Without Jeff (and Jay Bennett), these songs wouldn't have come to life. They are absolutely beautiful and are some of the best things Jeff has ever touched. Hope you enjoy: