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Less Than You Think....


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AGIB was the last Wilco record I needed to complete the catalog. I started by taking a chance on a used copy of YHF and then a leaked copy of SBS (incidentally, I have purchased 4 copies since it's release) and have developed an obsession for this band. Jeff Tweedy is a bloody genius....

 

This topic may have been covered in a previous thread, but a search didn't reveal it.

 

I have come to think that AGIB is as good as any music I have ever heard in my life....relative to myself, a significant statement. I have read lots of opinions on Less Than You Think, and it seems to have been universally criticized. As much a fanatic as I have become, I don't believe I'm saying this through Wilco colored glasses....am I the only freak that LOVES the drone in Less Than You Think? Because of the sequence of events (reviews first, acquisition of AGIB second), I was fully prepared to hate it, so I find myself surprised at the widespread contempt towards this carefully crafted piece of art.

 

I find it incredibly hypnotic and after listening to it about 10 times (sometimes back to back), I am now hearing many of the elements of it all around me.....albeit unamplified. Do I have any company, or is this a litmus test for inadequate sanity?

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i agree. while its understandable why many might steer clear, I i think the ending section of the song is a great piece of music. while it may not have 'conventional' structure or lyrics, it still remains a composition of music....and you're totally sane for enjoying it.

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I fucking love the ending, but I am a weirdo like that.

 

The only sad thing about the criticism of the song is that people only look at the drone while they forgot how great the first part of the song is such as Jeff's lyrics. They are easily at the top of their game.

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Another good drone/non-conventional piece is the Green Typewriters tracks on Olivia Tremor Control's Dusk at Cubist Castle. What I like about that one, as well as Less Than You Think, is the drone is followed by a tight pop song. Like you're put into this trance then "wake up" to a nice tune.

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i love the early live versions of this from 2002-3

 

Upload plox.

 

And yes, the drone is great. I'm glad I am not the only person who feels that way. The lyrics are also some of the best lyrics Jeff has ever written, and the first part of the song is beautiful.

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I think I like the idea of the drone more than I like the drone itself.

 

i can second this, the idea and theory behind the drone itself is fascinating and genius, but i have not come to the level where i can sit through all of it yet!

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I always saw the drone as Tweedy's way of giving the finger to idiot rock critics who always misinterpreted Wilco. And also as a bit of an antagonistic challenge to fans not to take the Wilcos for granted. I think the minute of noise at the end of Handshake Drugs and the five unneccessary extra minutes of Spiders also fulfilled these functions. Let's not forget JT was in a very different space than he is now. Without these antagonistic elements i think AGIB would be one of the greatest albums of all time, instead of merely a great album, IMO.

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gotta love the drone. i'm sure that all of you who love the drone have checked out tony conrads 'minimalism' 4 disc set. great stuff. i used one of the 60 minute versions of C as part of a thing that i mixed together with some of the conet project stuff, a white noise cd and some acoustic guitar.

 

cheers,

 

b

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i've always felt that AGIB was too loaded with ambiguity to take those sort of conclusions out of it... probably why its my favourite album ;) i like its edge (n.b. i could handle Spiders going a bit longer :P)

 

i have to be in just the right mood for the drone, but i'm glad its there

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i've got love for the drone, though i don't always listen to all of it. i'd prefer it if more tones and textures emerged from it over its duration. its length and the way it contrasts with the rest of the songs gives the album a unique shape.

 

the noise at the end of handshake drugs is really beautiful.

 

a ghost is born is truly an amazing record!

 

:worship

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i've got love for the drone, though i don't always listen to all of it. i'd prefer it if more tones and textures emerged from it over its duration. its length and the way it contrasts with the rest of the songs gives the album a unique shape.

 

the noise at the end of handshake drugs is really beautiful.

 

a ghost is born is truly an amazing record!

 

:worship

 

I agree with all of this. But there's no denying that the drone and the noise antagonizes a lot of people.

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"Heavy Metal Drummer" antagonizes a lot of people.

 

woah! who? why? if you are someone who finds HMD annoying, please make yourself known and prepare to be gazed at suspiciously (in a 'are you really human?' kind of way).

 

that song is pure pleasure!

 

Who cares about other people?

 

hmm. good point. forget it.

 

does anyone else REALLY ENJOY singing HMD while walken down the street and "beatboxing" the intro???

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I love the drone in Less Than You Think... It inspired me to have drone moments when I'm performing.. Even though the rest of the band (and most of the time the crowd) kind of looks at me funny because it's not often your hear drone in a classic/southern/bar-rock band, but I sure get a kick out of it....

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