bleedorange

I've been trying to narrow my list down. Here is my top five, in alphabetical order, which is subject to change: St. Vincent - Strange Mercy Starfucker - Reptilians Wye Oak - Civilian YACHT - Shangri-La Yellowbirds - The Color I have a lot of honorable mentions, but I can put all those in the other thread.

It's easily the most polarizing album in their entire catalog.

Something makes me think we've done this before (not that I mind revisiting it).

Hate it Here, Shake it Off (although this one drags, too), Either Way, even You Are My Face, which I like. There's nothing on SBS that has them taking full advantage of the personnel in the band. It's just guys playing in the studio, which might sound good to the people playing it but lacks any kind of punch for an outside listener. You can look at the five previous albums and find something sonically adventurous littered throughout each of them, to go along with mesmerizing lyrics from Tweedy that improved from album to album. None of that exists on Sky Blue Sky.

If true, I wonder why you got married in the first place. Doesn't sound like you were ready for it if your main concerns are about when to smoke weed and go to concerts.

I guess it depends on your definition of "mature songwriting." To me, Sky Blue Sky was a huge step backwards in this department. Not only were the lyrics generally straightforward, but they were also banal, trite, hackneyed, etc. Either Way and the whole second half of the album are the worst offenders (even Impossible Germany). As for musicianship, the approach of guys in a room playing songs has been lauded by those that like Sky Blue Sky. To me, it mostly sounds lazy. The ballads drag and the other songs go in predictable places.

I like the lyrics in Side With the Seeds, too. But, as a whole, the album pales in comparison to every other Wilco album in this respect.

Is there a good biography of the band?

What aspect of the songwriting on Sky Blue Sky shows maturity?

I've heard a lot of people say this. It's just such a completely foreign concept to me. I guess if that's the first thing you experience from the band, then that might make the difference. But the songwriting is so weak on that album and it all begins with "Either Way." If it weren't for songs 2-5, that album wouldn't even be worth listening to. I'm not trying to start another contentious argument about this album (there's already been plenty of that), I'm just wondering what the people who claim this think about the earlier albums in comparison.

Has anyone gotten the Smile Sessions yet? I'm still undecided on whether to go for broke with the huge box set or just get the 2-disc version.

I would be much more disturbed/infuriated by constant images of Tom Hicks throughout a Rangers' broadcast.

He's a former owner of the Rangers and a former president of this country and he goes to a ton of games during the season. What's the problem?

Cars Can't Escape = the most overrated B-side in the history of music

I've tried to avoid as much coverage as I can today. I can't take it. Unfortunately, I'm not at all optimistic and I've tried to resign myself to somehow being satisfied with the overall season if they lose tonight. That's not to say I don't think they can win...I'm just not feeling great about it.

I'm actually taking it a lot harder this morning than I was last night.

I used to think Wilco fans were smart.

Yeah, Missouri hiking up its skirt to whoever is within arm's reach is getting tiresome. Does anyone really want Missouri, though? I'm having a hard time figuring out how Missouri adds anything to any other conference.

One Sunday Morning is a good song. But it's a little late in their career for any song to be a "game changer."

Nobody wants to go to Manhattan.

By the way, I did not make it to too many games this year. Only 3. All three were Matt Harrison starts. All three were Rangers' losses where the opposing team scored in double digits. 10-3 to Toronto on April 26 13-2 to Boston on August 24 16-7 to St. Louis on October 22 So should I avoid attending all Texas games in the future or just ones in which Matt Harrison starts?

I could see a lot of different answers for the best opener poll...but here, there is only one correct answer. It's not even close. It's Reservations by a landslide.

Wow, you're right. Completely missed that.

It's telling that Open Mind and Capitol City are by far the least played songs from the new album.

That's just weird to me. Even though Either Way isn't my least favorite song on Sky Blue Sky, it practically ruins the album for me from the get go. It's such a horrible table-setter. And I really like Can't Stand It.