froggie Posted August 8, 2006 Share Posted August 8, 2006 (edited) maybe laying off the cigs has helped the upper register and he's taking advantage of them. even the older tunes like sunken treasure, shot in the arm and gun are sounding better due to this.just listen to how his voice goes wild on some parts of what light Edited August 8, 2006 by froggie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 In discussing songwriting, somebody famous once suggested "write about what you know." So you're having the time of your life, I would guess that you might what sing about that or those feelings might be in there somewhere. If not, I'd call that "masturbation". Face it folks, the dark days are gone. I think this is a bit too reductionist. Just because someone is doing well doesn't mean they don't remember what it is to be upset. And just because you're having the time of your life that doesn't mean thats all you know. There is a doubtless array of songs out there about happiness, but really does every songwriter in a good mood write about being happy. And are the dark days ever really gone. The guys obviously made a choice about his artistic direction and I don't think his lyrics are a slave to a better mood or improved health. Thats ridiculous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheelco Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 somebody famous once suggested write about what you know -- "masturbation".whu??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jethro Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 The guys obviously made a choice about his artistic direction and I don't think his lyrics are a slave to a better mood or improved health. Thats ridiculous.If people only ever wrote exclusively about what they knew empirically then the world would be a pretty boring place. I'll wait to hear the finished songs before writing them off but can't say I haven't been somewhat disappointed so far. I'd even say that if something doesn't change then this will probably be the record where Wilco jumps the shark and loses a chunk of their fan base without the newcomers to replace them. County fairs here we come, etc. That said, the last few new songs have been better so I'm more optimistic than I was. I'd love to hear someone ask Jeff what he thinks about the crowd reaction to new songs versus the old material. They obviously realize that the crowds get a lot more excited by the old ones than the new ones or they wouldn't use them like that, but they keep writing songs that don't draw that same reaction. I'm not saying they should have kept playing the same type of music over and over but what happened to the Wilco who wrote a new song that they knew was going to kick your ass? Why would Jeff write songs that he'd think he had to thank a crowd for being patient with? I miss the swagger. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 For the most part I enjoy the newer songs and I am actually looking forward to how this new album shapes up. Where as A Ghost is Born sounds to me like a crisis record (which has as much to do with the fact that my life being in crisis mode when it came out then the actual songs), the new stuff could shape into something pretty interesting an after the storm type of record, better living through rock and roll and the unironic use of the word bag. While I will admit I am a bit more excited by the melodies at the moment then the lyrics I am not too worried. There are quite a few A Ghost is Born songs that got tweaked quite a bit on the road before they recorded them, both lyrically (Muzzle of Bees and Theologians come to mind) and musically. I am sure when this comes out in 2007 there will be plenty of posts about how great the songs sounded now and how they ruined them in the studio . Though perhaps the twenty minute avant noise freak out tacked on the end of "Stardog Done Me Wrong" was a bit much. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gobias Industries Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Seriously, lyrics can't get much worse than Casino Queen. So, I think Tweedy's going to be just fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maddie Hope Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 What's been a more enjoyable listen? Music is like beauty... 'to the ear of the beholder...' An artist is forever changing, growing as are we...I know I've not had the pleasure of knowing all of JT's days of growing,but I'm learning and growing too... I enjoy what I've heard so far...Look forward to hearing what changes next time I hear it, to how they finely lay it down...I love hearing older stuff revisited... For me I like waiting on an album to hear what the artist is trying to say...And then feel what it says to me... I wouldn't call the new songs sub-par... for me JT has always wrote lyricly and musicly grand.Grant it I don't get or like every song JT writes, but what artist can you say you liked everythingthey have writen? Beatles, Dylan? We all change with time, life, the world...Besides I see it as "Wilco's" songs so I will just enjoy what they have to play....(if not, that means it is time to find the bathroom....) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sandoz Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Seriously, lyrics can't get much worse than Casino Queen. So, I think Tweedy's going to be just fine.funny comment. these are unbelievable, amazing lyrics too: I know we don't talk muchBut you're such a good talkerOh-whoa Well I know we should take a walk But you're such a fast walker, oh-whoaWell alright i think people are getting all worked up over nothin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalle Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 I find the new lyrics to be more melodic and serving the song instead of being the primary focus. If that makes any sense. They're just simpler and if you ever play What Light by yourself singing and playing guitar it is basically the best feeling ever. You'll have a smile from ear to ear after. When I talked to Jeff after the London or Toronto show he said they have about 30 songs written at that time and he said he loved them as much as anything else he's done so... that's a good thing! But I really enjoy all the new songs and what they do with them in the studio will only make them better. Does anyone like "Either Way" as much as I do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 whu???Hemingway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobsRevenge Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 (edited) Does anyone like "Either Way" as much as I do?Thank God I'm not the only one. It was my favorite before What Light? and Lets Fight! (at least for a little bit there, it changes quite often) Edited August 9, 2006 by BobsRevenge Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skip Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 You kick cigarettes and drugs, don't drink anymore, start running of all things, and surround yourself with what you consider to be the best band mates that you've ever been associated with. Generally, I think it could be said that those are what most would consider to be positive atttibutes in one's life. Also, you're approaching 40 and maybe putting things in perspective, gaining some wisdom, etc. Hell, I see life much differently at 33 than I did even 5 years ago or before my daughter was born. All that said, I've never written a song in my life, but I gotta believe that if my life were making a serious turns for the better, those experiences, feelings, thoughts, emotions, etc. would make into my songs. Why would I want to sing or try to write about the past (i.e., dark periods of my life)? If I've already "been there, done that" and typically try new ways of writting songs, what would be the point of repeating myself? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 I'm waiting to listen to these until my interest leaks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SlowBurn68 Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 It's possible that now that Jeff has never felt happier and is less tortured his lyrics are suffering. I agree - or maybe he has nothing left to say. I think good art comes from pain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HighFives Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Tweedy is a little bit better than alright when it comes to songwriting imo. The music is what makes wilco my fav. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lazy Locomotive Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 Read the What Light lyrics,it's pretty much telling your comment to f-off. hilarious. p.s. once in Germany someone said nein not exactly brillance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
welch79 Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 Plus, I can't to see how the entire album holds together as a cohesive piece of art versus individual songs we've only heard in a concert setting. I want to hear what Nels does in a studio with Wilco. Yeah. So when are they gonna hit the studio and record this thing? Anybody heard? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
misslaura Posted August 10, 2006 Share Posted August 10, 2006 I am actually changing my mind. I initially agreed that the new lyrics seemed weak, but I was listening to I Got You (at the end of the century) in the car this morning and remembered that not all Wilco lyrics are brilliant and cryptic. Many of their great songs have straight forward poppy lyrics. We have no idea what the new album will be like yet, and I am just as anxious to know as everyone else, but have been jumping the gun. I want to enter the experience of getting their new record with an open mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dls Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I love all of Tweedy's stuff, but to paraphrase Bill Clinton, we're seldom as good as our biggest fans think we are, and we're seldom as bad as our harshest critics suggest. Comparing Tweedy to Tweedy says enough about his songwriting ability, in my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
what i once was Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 All of the new songs are musically rich-hell the band is great,- always fresh-innovative. But the music of these new songs is carrying all of the emotional content- the lyrics just don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gobias Industries Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 All of the new songs are musically rich-hell the band is great,- always fresh-innovative. But the music of these new songs is carrying all of the emotional content- the lyrics just don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I find the new lyrics to be more melodic and serving the song instead of being the primary focus. If that makes any sense. You always have very good input,and yes that makes sense.Wilco is more of a band now more than ever.Trust is the word of the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
awatt Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 This is the silliest thread I've ever read! Are you kidding me??? Please, if you have trouble with new lyrics, go to the more complex message board for Radiohead. JT doesn't need the amateur critics here concerned about "sub-par lyrics"--what a waste of time! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jethro Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 All of the new songs are musically rich-hell the band is great,- always fresh-innovative. But the music of these new songs is carrying all of the emotional content- the lyrics just don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
random painted highway Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 Yeah, I don't see the amazing musically rich songs, with a few exceptions they've been pretty lackluster or even boring. Maybe it's just the quiet -> loud not so quiet thing wearing thin. I don't want to have to listen to 3 minutes of bland to get to the 1 minute of interesting, especially when it's not all that interesting. That's what makes some of the new songs disappointing to me, trite lyrics combined with mediocre music. The music thing I tend to blame more on the band, the lyrics thing is on Jeff. I want to drink the kool-aid and believe again but most of the songs they've played live leave me kind of cold and if these are the best they've got then I'm probably not going to like the new record all that much. I thought much of YHF and aGiB was a musically cold fish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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