Orkie Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Wilco have the potential to do so much better. AGIB isn't even my fav album but the songs on there seem so much better than most of these new tracks. fuller and packed with an instant musical uppercut. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the Salt Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 First listen is finished... Goddamnit that is a "Album"! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 To the haters, I would like to add that while I love this album, it's not like I'm reading your disappointed posts and thinking you're all insane. It's not hard to listen to this album and understand why it's rubbing some (even diehards) the wrong way. The sound, the feel, the mood, can all be interpreted/heard as lacking effort or inspiration. Those same elements are also touching people, including myself, very deeply. It will probably end up their most polarizing album. Fine. Let's get over it and stop calling each other crazy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
noyes Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 To the haters, I would like to add that while I love this album, it's not like I'm reading your disappointed posts and thinking you're all insane. It's not hard to listen to this album and understand why it's rubbing some (even diehards) the wrong way. The sound, the feel, the mood, can all be interpreted/heard as lacking effort or inspiration. Those same elements are also touching people, including myself, very deeply. It will probably end up their most polarizing album. Fine. Let's get over it and stop calling each other crazy. well said Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheMaker Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 So you don't like the album. Fine. Don't buy it. Just don't insult those of us who do. Amen. For my money, this kicks the living shit out of AGIB. If anything has surprised me about the last week, it's the shower of love that album has received. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Amen. For my money, this kicks the living shit out of AGIB. If anything has surprised me about the last week, it's the shower of love that album has received.I, for one agree with you.....halfway. AGIB and SBS are starting to look like companion albums to me. Their similarities being their very organic, live analog recording sound. And the level of expressiveness in the playing. Thematically and mood wise AGIB seems like its looking down a long dark tunnel, there is definitely some light but its pretty dark stuff, Sky Blue Sky seems to step out (excuse the pun). They're two different moods that compliment each other extremely well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Amen. For my money, this kicks the living shit out of AGIB. If anything has surprised me about the last week, it's the shower of love that album has received.If anything has surprised me this week, it's your professed love of SBS. But I'm in the same boat: Like you, I was generally dismayed with the new material, but I've been won over. The first few listens were hampered by the natural desire to hear it in context of their previous albums--it's tough to isolate and ignore that baggage--but after spending considerable time with SBS, it's easier now to hear it for what it is, rather than for what I had been hoping it would be. That said, at this point I'd still put it quite a few rungs below YHF and BT, and perhaps, just maybe, approaching AGIB or ST. But that's just an initial response. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peqger Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 If anything has surprised me this week, it's your professed love of SBS. But I'm in the same boat: Like you, I was generally dismayed with the new material, but I've been won over. The first few listens were hampered by the natural desire to hear it in context of their previous albums--it's tough to isolate and ignore that baggage--but after spending considerable time with SBS, it's easier now to hear it for what it is, rather than for what I had been hoping it would be.Not that anybody's interested or anything, but I'm in the same boat, too. It's so much better than I expected. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Not that anybody's interested or anythingAw, come on... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
willywoody Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 cmj is running a poll on sbs now. not that it means anything but i thought it was interesting. for all i know 15 people have voted. the results so far:    Love it! - 44 % Eh, could be better but I'm still excited about the album. - 21% Terrible. What happened Tweedy? - 13% No opinion. - 20% Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 cmj is running a poll on sbs now.Wow, a poll on an album that won't be released for two months? That's different. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robby Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 OK, my two cents worth on this album:Like the two preceeding it, I did not like it the first time around. Believe it or not, I felt that way about YHF the first time I heard it (playing it while painting my laundry room). Then I heard some reviewer mention 9/11 when talking about this album and it forever felt like a soundtrack to that horrible day. And then one morning, I listened to it straight thru while driving it work and suddenly I got it. I then proceeded to drive everyone nuts talking way too much about Wilco & this album.AGIB then could not be anything but a disappointment after the epic that YHF was. Sure, I like "Theologians" and a few other cuts, but it was no YHF. Then I got a chance to see Wilco from the front row (my second Wilco concert) and AGIB took on a different light. That concert was one of the best times I ever had and I can re-live it any time I want as someone recorded and posted the show two days after it (for my money, the bootleg recording was better than Live in Chicago, but how can I help not to be biased).The first time I listened to SBS was on headphones and I didn't sit thru any of the songs -"Big disappointment!" I recall saying to myself as I ripped the headphones off. The second time I listened was while washing my car playing it thru some 28 year-old speakers that are in my garage. "OK, a few cuts weren't too bad - my god! He's going back to "alt-country"."A few days later I listened to it all the way thru while working at my computer over a $80 Logitech 5.1 surround speaker set up. That's when I began to fall in love. There are some beautifully played instruments on this album. There are gorgeous piano and guitar passages. Of course my (current) favorite is "Impossible Germany" - does anyone remember a song Gentle Giant did called "Play The Game" back in the 70's? Germany reminds me of that song.The are some beautiful instruments in this album - I'm sorry to say that the weakest link is Jeff Tweedy's vocals. I wished he had double tracked his voice on some cuts like he did on Pot Kettle Black & Kamera. I can't be too hard on the guy. He's given up smoking and drinking, had surgery for a deviated septum and he's lost his mom. I too, have had all those experiences in the last 5 years myself and I know what a basket case I am, so I can relate. I'm embarrased to say that I miss the nicotine coated throat that sang the demo version of "Cars Can't Escape".I recall reading at the end of "Learning To Die" Jeff's wife had bought a guitar lesson for him for his birthday. Watching him play with Nels last year it seems his goal was to hone his guitar skills. I think he accomplished that with SBS. And I appreciate the partial return to his earlier music genre. It shows me that he's not ashamed of where he came from and that he respects and appreciates his past.Ultimately, he's made a much more accessible album that (as a result) probably a lot more people will hear - and like even more with each time they listen to it - as I do.(sorry for the length - I'm old and I ramble) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lazy Locomotive Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 how lucky are we, that we, the "enlightened" music listeners are able to discuss a band that is worth discussing? No matter where this album ranks in the history of Wilco albums, I feel blessed to be a witness to the discussion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peqger Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Aw, come on... You will have to explain this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Saint Genevieve Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I've given the album a few listens now, and I'm still pretty meh about it. The songs are pretty and pleasant, but there's nothing that really stands out to me. I can't even pick out a favorite song because they all blur together in my mind. Wilco's other albums - even the much-maligned AM - have all grabbed me from the very first listen. I didn't always love them right away, but they held my attention and kept it. SBS doesn't do that. I keep listening to it more out of a sense of duty than anything else - Wilco are my favorite band, so I feel like I ought to give the album more of a chance than I might with some other band. I'm hoping that hearing more of the songs performed live might change my mind about the album, but since I've already heard several of them live already, I'm not sure if that's going to happen. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
intodeep Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I got a copy of this Saturday night. MELLOW. I like it a lot but it is very mellow.  I liked it from the first listen even though all the songs except for maybe Walken start out slow and progress into a great jam. Nels really dominates this album in my mind and that is okay with me. the last three songs are great. I love impossible Germany and either way a lot too.  Not sure where it will end up ranking agaisnt the other wilco albums yet but i know i will enjoy it. The album is the perfect lazy sunday morning album. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imsjry Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Not only no, but hell no. Worst closer for me, ever. And Either Way pulls down the worst opener crown. The day I deleted them was the day that I started to appreciate how good the record really was. You deleted the opening and closing songs to an album??? Would you draw a mustache on the "Mona Lisa" too? Seesh, kids today.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncle wilco Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 You deleted the opening and closing songs to an album??? Would you draw a mustache on the "Mona Lisa" too? Seesh, kids today....i actually think the opener and closer are great for the album. no problems there imo. Â The album is the perfect lazy sunday morning album.my thoughts exactly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 cmj is running a poll on sbs now. not that it means anything but i thought it was interesting. for all i know 15 people have voted. the results so far: No opinion. - 20% Who would vote "no opinion" on an opinion poll? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoFan Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I think that John's contributions on this album are pretty immense. I wonder if the this is the album he has been wanting to create for a long time. I think it is definitely his best effort yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 The album is the perfect lazy sunday morning album.my thoughts exactly.+ Sunday at noon, afternoon, evening, falling 'sleep to....Monday morning....in the car on the way to work.... I think that John's contributions on this album are pretty immense. I wonder if the this is the album he has been wanting to create for a long time. I think it is definitely his best effort yet.Well he is "over the moon" about it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I got a copy of this Saturday night. MELLOW. I like it a lot but it is very mellow. So, what you're saying is that it's mellow? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Have you never been mellow? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calexico Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I have gotten a fair few albums over the last few days and have given the Wilco album now maybe 7 or 8 spins but it really is beginning to reveal itself. There are some really great songs here and the guitar playing of Nels is just brilliant. Hate It Here and Leave Me are firm favourites with me at the moment as is Side With The Seeds and Be My Face. At certain times of the day it is just the perfect album to listen to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeckoRlz Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Am i the only one who thinks impossible germany is probably the worst song on the album? A decent solo from nels, but the outro is the cheesiest hogwash I could imagine them releasing... the guitar tones and hooks remind me more of music played as background on the weather channel than of the inventive and energetic band I know and love. That and the instrumental breakdown passage of "shake it off" are incredible lows.... and though I've heard some diss it, I really think they NAILED walken on the album... the only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not the absence of pat's pick scrape is for the better. All and all, the most disappointing album I've heard in a long, long time Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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