How to explain Wilco

[Panther]

That

[mountain bed]

It's just human nature to try and 'define' things that are (usually) undefinable. Genre titles are just a kind of shortcut that gets used when we try to describe the music. I mean, how would you define the Dead's music? ("crappy" is not what Im looking for here, I know I know.. ).

 

I think more than anything else Wilco is an American band. That sound could not have come from anywhere else. That doesn't make it better (in and of itself) it's just something that seems obvious to me.

[blake1]

I'm just going to say its cock from now on.

[TheMaker]

I tell people that there is not a particular style, such as blues or heavy metal. Wilco is simply good music, played well by men. They record hit albums, and then they play concerts as the people go crazy.

[bleedorange]

I've given up trying to explain them. Whenever one of my friends asks, I just say, "Let me make you a mix CD."

 

I've learned that's the best way to go about it. I've found myself stumbling too many times over trying to find the right mix of genres and subgenres to describe the music. I just say they're a great rock band and make them a CD.

 

In fact, I might just make a bunch and keep them in my car for the future, so that I'll always have one at the ready when I'm asked that question.

[sky blue bats]

just had to make a mix for my wife's friend at work:

 

misunderstood

muzzle of bees

a shot in the arm

handshake drugs

war on war

you are my face

impossible germany

sky blue sky

she's a jar

via chicago

california stars

red eyed and blue

i got you

heavy metal drummer

poor places

spiders

 

take that!!!!!!!

[radiokills]

i dont think summerteeth, yhf, or ghost sound at all like straight rock or a modern day Who or something. they fall into their own category.

[groovingdan]

just had to make a mix for my wife's friend at work:

 

misunderstood

muzzle of bees

a shot in the arm

handshake drugs

war on war

you are my face

impossible germany

sky blue sky

she's a jar

via chicago

california stars

red eyed and blue

i got you

heavy metal drummer

poor places

spiders

 

take that!!!!!!!

 

That's a great mix! Everyone should use that mix from now on.

[sharkbait430]

Lurker here:

 

One of my new fav bands is the Felice Brothers, on their myspace page under the preset "Sounds like" where most people put, Dylan, the Stones, Madonna etc etc, the simply put: Sounds like - A Barn Smells.

 

To me Wilco Sounds like - A classic old movie theatre smells. A whiskey with a twist tastes. A perfect summers day at sunset looks.

 

and on and on and on....

[KevinG]

straight rock music...

 

as opposed to gay rock music?

[Good Old Neon]

If the person asking has a genuine interest in hearing what Wilco (or any other band) is all about, I usually just lend out or burn them a copy, and then, based on their own subjective experience of the music, let them determine for themselves how they choose to define it

[Tenderloin]

as opposed to gay rock music?

 

not that there's anything wrong with that

[markosis]

dont think summerteeth, yhf, or ghost sound at all like straight rock or a modern day Who or something. they fall into their own category.

 

Yes, Wilco does absolutely fall into their own category. But why don't those albums sound like rock? Is it because of the use of dollar store keyboards on ST, or experimental noise/atmospherics on YHF? What about those elements makes the music not "rock and roll"? My point is, why does it need a special category because they think and write and play outside the box? Just because Pink Floyd did "weird" stuff, were they not just a rock and roll band? I'm sure if Floyd came around today they'd be called something ridiculous like "psych-art-prog-pop-rock."

 

 

 

(I'm trying to call you out or anything, hope you don't take it that way. I'm just making a larger point.)

[myboyblue]

I generally describe them as where the sea meets the sky. That, or I go with the mix cd idea.

[anthony]

"Alternative folk rock with excellent musicianship and Dylanesque lyrics."

 

I have had difficulty explaining Wilco, too. The above is nice but I suspect would leave the listener even more in the dark.

 

I usually say they are the best Rock 'n Roll band working today.

 

(BTW, is that true? Is there a better one?)

[Quiet Domino]

I've found this pretty frustrating as well. I try to explain to people that the more I listen, the more interesting it becomes. And I tell them if you're a bad listener, Wilco's not for you. If they've spaced out by then, I know they're not worth a mix CD. I don't necessarily care if people I care about like Wilco, I just want them to have a similar experience, like what Wilco means to me.

[Sweet Delightful]

Just for the sake of comparison....What other bands either (old or current) would you think are descibed as "Undescribable" like Wilco so commonly is?

[bleedorange]

Just for the sake of comparison....What other bands either (old or current) would you think are descibed as "Undescribable" like Wilco so commonly is?

 

I actually find that the vast majority of bands and artists I like are indescribable. Maybe I just don't have the imagination or knowledge necessary to come up with proper labels. But I love Wilco because they sound like Wilco. I love The National because they sound like The National. And so on.

 

I could say The New Pornographers are a great power pop band, but what does that even mean? Plus, I think it's shortsighted to pigeonhole them or most bands in that way and most people that are asking wouldn't know what to make of that term anyway.

[markosis]

I actually find that the vast majority of bands and artists I like are indescribable.

 

Ditto.

[ction]

When a mommy and a daddy love each other very much, sometimes they put things places and then 9 months later, there's a Wilco.

[laurie]

Just for the sake of comparison....What other bands either (old or current) would you think are descibed as "Undescribable" like Wilco so commonly is?

 

 

Tom Waits