hey vc vets!

[welch79]

ok. i like sbs. alot. it's different, but i dig it. i am hopeful that the official release will sound sharper b/c the version floating round now is low bit rate.

 

i haven't been around here on the boards that long so my question for all you long-time v.c.ers is this:

 

were past albums like agib or yhf (if vc was around then) as polarizing or picked apart for shallow song writing when they were first released?

[Derek Phillips]

ok. i like sbs. alot. it's different, but i dig it. i am hopeful that the official release will sound sharper b/c the version floating round now is low bit rate.

 

i haven't been around here on the boards that long so my question for all you long-time v.c.ers is this:

 

were past albums like agib or yhf (if vc was around then) as polarizing or picked apart for shallow song writing when they were first released?

 

I think YHF was the dividing line for old time Uncle Tupelo fans who dug AM and cautiously interested in Being There. The Mermaid Ave albums kept many satisfied but YHF was too poppy and experimental (yes, ironically, both) for many of those old alt,country folk. AGIB was just confirmation to them that Jeff had lost it.

[echo]

i haven't been around these parts as long as many of the folks but I am a "carry over" fan from the uncle tupelo days (i.e. old). it seems like every record jeff has ever put out has been polarizing to the fan base.

 

it took me forever to get into wilco, and i mean years. a.m. was such a rushed, sophmoric effort when it was released (especially when compared to trace). however, it provided a great bassline for me to look back upon when masterpieces like being there, summerteeth and yhf started sinkin' in. to watch tweedy develop as a front man and songwriter has been simply amazing.

 

so, i guess that's a long winded answer to say jeff's work has always been examined and dissected. ususally extremely critically at the start...however, time has always proven tweedy knew what he was doing...

[BigWheeledWagon]

There was a lot of very similar discussion when "AGIB" leaked -- "Spiders" and "LTYT" especially caused a great deal of controversy. The main difference I can see is that with that album, many were upset not with the songs, but with their presentation. With "Sky Blue Sky," a lot of folks have been unhappy with the songs that they had heard live before the album leaked, and if anything, the presentation may have increased the appreciation of these songs for at least a few out there.

[danelectro]

What we've seen with SBS is nothing compared to the AGIB controversy. Up until the day the of the official release people were calling and hoping some of the leaked tracks were demos. Each track was dissected and discussed. The white noise was dissected and discussed. The album came out and it was the same and that was dissected and discussed. In the end AGIB became a fan favorite in no small part to being a great album. Much has been said about the songs being "better" live. I say baah to that, it was a kick ass album from the day it leaked. I don't think many old fans jumped ship either. Each Wilco album has been different from the last, starting in 1996. By 2004 people should have been used to it. Without a doubt this album will be no different, people will be saying the live versions of the songs are great and then SBS will replace AGIB and the new great Wilco album, as will it's successor. Honestly I don't think Jeff will ever put out a bad album comprised entirely of his own songs. Why? He's a music fan first and a musician second, that made him a great judge of what works. Just do him and yourself a favor, trust your ears and not public or media opinion.

[JerseyMike]

I believe they were all like this. Does anybody remember the reaction to Summerteeth when we used the Wilcoworld message board? That record was a complete 180 from Being There and it took a lot of people by surprise.

 

Its expected. Every Wilco record is decidedly (Sp? its late!) different from the previous record. It takes a while to adjust what your hearing from your expectations.

 

Since we're here, let me give my two cents on SBS: Please forgive typos and rants: 2 days with very little sleep!

 

I really like this record. As I listened to it, I thought of all of the previous Wilco records. The subject matter from Being There to A Ghost is Born has always been about struggle. Being There was Jeff's struggle to reconcile his rock and roll life with becoming a father, Summerteeth examined infidelity and drug abuse, YHF: Distance and being away from his family in order earn a living and AGIB seemed like Tweedy was looking at his personal demons, the migraines, the pills and it all came to a head. All the while, the music refelcted those struggles, as well as the struggle for the band to finds it artistic voice and even its place in the music marketplace. Those struggles were even reflected in all the personnell changes over the years. And it seems that when they released Kicking Television, it was vindication for all of that hardwork and personal sacrifice. A band at the top of its game and full of confidence. With SBS, we find Tweedy and his bandmates at peace for the first time in his, and their, professional lifes. He's finally clean after years of battling personal demons, his band has staked its place as one of Americas most respected. and popular bands. This goes for all of the members of Wilco. John has been climbing up that hill with Jeff since Uncle Tupelo. Three years ago, Nels was contemplating giving up his job at Barnes and Nobles and getting, to quote Nels, "a real job." Pat was always a studio rat, going from gig to gig, and the same with Mikael, who was an engineer at Soma Studios. Its a tough life to live. And Glenn, if I'm not mistaken, was teaching before he joined Wilco and was playing with O'Rourke and others on the side.

 

So here we are: a clean and happy Tweedy. Comfortable in his own skin for the first time in a long time. Healthy, no migraines, not even cigarettes. A lovely wife and beautiful kids, etc. Nothing left to prove to the critics or the record execs. (2 grammys, 2 gold records that debuted in the top 10) And the same goes for the rest of the guys; they seem content and I think the music really reflects that feeling and I think its refreshing. Its comfortable and it feels natural."I didn't die, I should be satisfied...It's good enough for now", from "Sky Blue Sky" really hit me as a poignant lyric when I first started thinking about the record in these terms .And "Hate it Here" is the perfect example of Jeff singing about his new found domestic life (and its very Lennon-esque as well). I think its wonderful and natural and above all, its honest. Its not any of their previous records. Its this one. Its the right one. Its beautiful.

 

PS. Since we have always compared Wilco records with the Beatles records, does anyone here touches of "Abbey Road" on thhis record? Maybe its the Wurlitzer!

[socbret]

JerseyMike's post should be required reading for every single person who wants to comment on this album. It's all about getting that perspective.

[cryptique]

Yup. Nicely put, JM.

[caliber66]

Great post, Mike.

 

Why should it be required reading, though? Why should I have to read something to know how to enjoy an album? If it's good music, it's good music - regardless of context, right? Sure, knowing the back story can add perspective and depth, but if it's a good album, it's going to hold up whether or not you think about Jeff's state of mind during the writing/recording while you're listening.

[WilcoFan]

I believe they were all like this. Does anybody remember the reaction to Summerteeth when we used the Wilcoworld message board? That record was a complete 180 from Being There and it took a lot of people by surprise.

 

Its expected. Every Wilco record is decidedly (Sp? its late!) different from the previous record. It takes a while to adjust what your hearing from your expectations.

 

Since we're here, let me give my two cents on SBS: Please forgive typos and rants: 2 days with very little sleep!

 

I really like this record. As I listened to it, I thought of all of the previous Wilco records. The subject matter from Being There to A Ghost is Born has always been about struggle. Being There was Jeff's struggle to reconcile his rock and roll life with becoming a father, Summerteeth examined infidelity and drug abuse, YHF: Distance and being away from his family in order earn a living and AGIB seemed like Tweedy was looking at his personal demons, the migraines, the pills and it all came to a head. All the while, the music refelcted those struggles, as well as the struggle for the band to finds it artistic voice and even its place in the music marketplace. Those struggles were even reflected in all the personnell changes over the years. And it seems that when they released Kicking Television, it was vindication for all of that hardwork and personal sacrifice. A band at the top of its game and full of confidence. With SBS, we find Tweedy and his bandmates at peace for the first time in his, and their, professional lifes. He's finally clean after years of battling personal demons, his band has staked its place as one of Americas most respected. and popular bands. This goes for all of the members of Wilco. John has been climbing up that hill with Jeff since Uncle Tupelo. Three years ago, Nels was contemplating giving up his job at Barnes and Nobles and getting, to quote Nels, "a real job." Pat was always a studio rat, going from gig to gig, and the same with Mikael, who was an engineer at Soma Studios. Its a tough life to live. And Glenn, if I'm not mistaken, was teaching before he joined Wilco and was playing with O'Rourke and others on the side.

 

So here we are: a clean and happy Tweedy. Comfortable in his own skin for the first time in a long time. Healthy, no migraines, not even cigarettes. A lovely wife and beautiful kids, etc. Nothing left to prove to the critics or the record execs. (2 grammys, 2 gold records that debuted in the top 10) And the same goes for the rest of the guys; they seem content and I think the music really reflects that feeling and I think its refreshing. Its comfortable and it feels natural."I didn't die, I should be satisfied...It's good enough for now", from "Sky Blue Sky" really hit me as a poignant lyric when I first started thinking about the record in these terms .And "Hate it Here" is the perfect example of Jeff singing about his new found domestic life (and its very Lennon-esque as well). I think its wonderful and natural and above all, its honest. Its not any of their previous records. Its this one. Its the right one. Its beautiful.

 

PS. Since we have always compared Wilco records with the Beatles records, does anyone here touches of "Abbey Road" on thhis record? Maybe its the Wurlitzer!

 

 

I completely agree JM. Even the abbey road comparison. There's another line in "Leave Me (Like You Found Me)" that says, "They're finally up off their knees." Possibly a reference to Ashes Of American Flags. Anybody else wonder about that?

[LouieB]

Yes, nice job....

 

(not sure about the guy who couldn't get into AM though....)

 

LouieB

[Reagent]

review

 

Wow what an insightful review! Thanks for writing that, glad I checked this thread.

[Atticus]

ok. i like sbs. alot. it's different, but i dig it. i am hopeful that the official release will sound sharper b/c the version floating round now is low bit rate.

 

i haven't been around here on the boards that long so my question for all you long-time v.c.ers is this:

 

were past albums like agib or yhf (if vc was around then) as polarizing or picked apart for shallow song writing when they were first released?

 

I hope you're not allergic to bee stings

 

nice post JerseyMike

[welch79]

thanks, you all.

 

great post, mike.

[socbret]

Great post, Mike.

 

Why should it be required reading, though? Why should I have to read something to know how to enjoy an album? If it's good music, it's good music - regardless of context, right? Sure, knowing the back story can add perspective and depth, but if it's a good album, it's going to hold up whether or not you think about Jeff's state of mind during the writing/recording while you're listening.

Like you said, knowing the back story can add perspective and depth. Not everybody has to read it, I exaggerated. I just think it'd be nice if people did. I'm not saying it makes you a better fan or a better listener, but personally, I just believe making the effort to know whats underneath the right way to approach things, music or not.

[caliber66]

No, I get you, and I hope you didn't take my post as an attack. I just kind of took your post as "if you don't read/take into account this information, you're not qualified to have an opinion." Which I know you weren't trying to say.

[So Long]

JerseyMike, I too applaud your post!

[socbret]

No, I get you, and I hope you didn't take my post as an attack. I just kind of took your post as "if you don't read/take into account this information, you're not qualified to have an opinion." Which I know you weren't trying to say.

[El Picador]

Thanks for the good read, Mike.

[IamJacksName]

Am I the only one who thinks that that Sky Blue Sky is the closest to a true "follow up" album that Wilco's ever done? It seems like all their previous albums (with the exception of Mermaid Avenue 1 & 2) has been a fairly radical departure from the album that preceeded it. SBS, while exploring new ground, seems more a natural extension and evolution of the A Ghost is Born sound.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels that way.

[quarter23cd]

SBS, while exploring new ground, seems more a natural extension and evolution of the A Ghost is Born sound.

Mmmmmmmaybe. As I see it, it is similar only in terms of the way it was recorded to have kind of a "live in the studio" feel to it. There's a kind of closeness and warmth to it that I think might be an O'Rourke tendency (and I like it). Aside from that, I don't see much of a carryover in terms of stuff like mood, structure, lyrics, etc.

[WilcoFan]

Am I the only one who thinks that that Sky Blue Sky is the closest to a true "follow up" album that Wilco's ever done? It seems like all their previous albums (with the exception of Mermaid Avenue 1 & 2) has been a fairly radical departure from the album that preceeded it. SBS, while exploring new ground, seems more a natural extension and evolution of the A Ghost is Born sound.

 

Just wondering if anyone else feels that way.

 

 

I think so too. It's definitely a theme album.

[brianjeremy]

I don't think YHF was as divisive as their last two albums have been. The response for the most part was positive. It was around that time when this community started, so most people were in love then. There were a few people around here who were bitching about it not being alt-country, but not too many.

 

The AGIB-period was really funny reading the "OMG THIS IZX THRE GREATIST THINGG EVAR" bullshit. I know it's the "brand-new album feeling and everything, but let's not shit ourselves" kind of deal. I guess the same thing's happening now., just more annoying this time.

[Sandoz]

...I think its wonderful and natural and above all, its honest. Its not any of their previous records. Its this one. Its the right one. Its beautiful.

JerseyMike, your entire post may have been the nicest I have ever ever read on VC. And your words I quote above are many of the exact words I have used to describe Sky Blue Sky. I cant get over how great it is to see Jeff so healthy, happy, and so comfortable (at least from my perception) with where he is right now. Jeff himself said that he is really proud of this new record. He should be.

I love this album.

[froggie]

nice words mike