Beltmann

I've only listened through once, but my initial reaction mirrors the general attitude expressed in this thread: It's good, but lacks the punch of the EPs. Still, I expect that it will grow on me over time. I didn't immediately respond to the EPs, either.

I can't believe I never noticed that before.

At this point I'd describe both "You Are My Face" and "Hate It Here" as essential Wilco, and the rest of the album seems to improve via association. I like most of the subdued tracks--especially "Please Be Patient With Me"--and "Side With the Seeds" is definitely growing on me, but I'm still not sold on a few, particularly "Leave Me (Like You Found Me)," "On and On and On," and "Impossible Germany." I seem to be in the minority about "Germany" but it makes me cringe--and it's mostly a reaction to Nels' work. I'd like it much more if his part sounded less like elevator crooning and more like

Yeah, Looking for Richard. It's less about that specific play than about the process of adapting a classic play, which is what was fun about it. And Scarface is pretty damn near unwatchable. I loathe that movie.

I think I may steal this description, if you don't mind.

Make sure you've got enough lawn to mow and shirts to fold, and you'll be okay.

Not a review, exactly, but in the last issue of Rolling Stone Austin Scaggs called SBS a "mellow masterwork."

I'm with you. I've always felt that Part III, while not at the level of the first two, was unfairly knocked.

Happy birthday, Dreamin' Judy! I think maybe I should mention before you make any faux pas here, that we have a tradition in this family, that we don't kill other people.

This sounds tempting. Not sure we can fit it into the schedule, but we'll see...

I said something like this earlier: I can't fault anyone for reading the "What Light" lyrics as cheesy. But I've always detected a degree of irony in them, an interpretation confirmed when I saw the song being performed live and a sly, playful grin came over Jeff's face as he sang "don't let anyone change your bag." It was as if he knew the line was corny, but he was going to try to have fun with it anyway--and I think the SBS version captures that same sense of throwaway goofiness. Does that justify the line? I dunno, but I respond to the tone.

Just tied it up. Thank God.

"Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. Trust me, folks.

That's a great line, isn't it? Someone earlier complained that the lyrics are "mundane," but for me the mundane imagery is partially the point, because the simple quotidian imagery is what describes the melancholy of his humdrum routine. To me, mowing the lawn and folding the shirts are metaphors, and so the line "What am I gonna do when I run outta lawn to mow" reveals the guy's realization that what he's doing--consciously getting lost in humdrum routine in order to preoccupy his mind--can't really help him get what he wants, which is to regain some sense of normalcy and self-worth. It ma

I can't imagine ever describing "Hate It Here" as light-hearted. One of the reasons I love it is because it evokes such deep-seated melancholy.

A friend from Texas recommended this to me last month, and at this point I'd describe it as one of my favorite albums of the year (so far). I too noticed the similarity between "ITMWLY" and "In Your Mind" immediately, but I consider that a plus not a minus.

No, the worst threads ever are the ones that crop up every few months dedicated to ranking our favorite Wilco albums. They always end up looking the same, sounding the same, inspiring the same arguments, etc. You know what might be fun, though? We need a thread that cleverly satirizes the interminable sameness of those rank-your-favorite threads. Any ideas?

I've probably seen that segment 15-20 times (I teach it sometimes). I still shake when I watch it.

I believe that was our good friend Big Ray.

When I teach irony, I am going to refer my students to this thread.

Aw, come on...

I had the same reaction when I read your "list." The right answer is obviously: AM BT ST YHF AGIB SBS

Good to hear; we're usually on the same page. I'm excited to see it, but it's unlikely I will see it any time soon... I've taken a vow of cinema chastity until my grad thesis is complete. I barely have time to catch something on DVD these days, and even then it's usually broken up over two or three late nights when I'm too beat to write. In fact, writing is what I'm supposed to be doing right now, so thanks for distracting me, pal.