othersongs Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I've hated this song from the June 2004 release date. I try to get into it every few months but I always end up loathing it. I hate it for the lack of melody, unecessary length, amateur breakdown that sea to phone it in with barchords. Electronically beat with guitar noise. This song has no appeal to me. I like thier experimental stuff. I love bull black nova, I love the noise on via Chicago but this has nothing special and is a seizure enducing glorified 10 min click track. Wilco is my fav band. I love everything else from them but this song. But I always see so many people loving on this song. Help me see the appeal. What do you like about it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I love it for the lack of melody, unecessary length, amateur breakdown that sea to phone it in with barchords. Electronically beat with guitar noise. But seriously, I sometimes hate it, sometimes love it. I was pissed when they started playing it at Wolf Trap, then I realized how great it sounds live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Go the Wilco Archive and check out the version from June 06, 2004 (Pittsburgh). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_fliz1 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Honestly. I didn't get it until I heard it live. After that I fell in love with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco2332 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Exactly, you have to find a version where they just tear it up, I discovered a version from the Tanglewood show in 08 like this. It really gained a lot of energy as a live song as compared to the recording, and I think that's why people enjoy it so much. It's just a really fun song (albeit with strange lyrics). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aricandover Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 you don't like it, other people do. what's the big deal? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thermocaster Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 The AGIB version reminds me (in a good way) of Stereolab. Which is appealing in and of itself. The solo Tweedy version (and the pre-AGIB live versions out there) are also excellent, despite the entire nature of the song being different. It's a good song that can survive two radically different approaches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 It's my wife's favorite Wilco song so you just never know. I love it. When that heavy part kicks in it makes it all worthwhile. Jason Isbell is quoting that song in the middle of "Never gonna change" so I'm sure he must agree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nobody Girl Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 If you don't like it, you just don't like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ThisIsNowhere Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 It's always been one of my favorite Wilco tracks. I didn't really 'get' it the first few times I hard it but after a while it grew on me and something about the rhythm and Jeff's lead guitar and how they go together draws me and it's very addicting. : Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tommyjacobs Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Help me see the appeal. What do you like about it?I first heard it as a Jeff solo acoustic song, and that version is quite beautiful. Great lyrics, the melody is more up front, nice little acoustic guitar riff. I fell in love with it then and felt a real connection to it. Then the full band started playing an arena-rock version of it before AGIB (think "Not for the Season" from the YHF demos) that was pretty fun, though the vocals/lyrics are overshadowed a bit. The album version is my least favorite rendition, though I still enjoy it. I don't know what your situation is, but I'm married with kids, which is partly why the song strikes a chord with me as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barbkm Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 That last veres is the coolest verse ever written. If you have the concert program, there's an interview with Jeff by his sons. They ask what his favorite song to play live is -- Spiders because, "I get to freak out on the guitar for like 10 minutes ... because freaking out on the guiter for 10 minutes is really good for your soul." And that's why I love Spiders -- a mindless explosion of words and music that is a complete release -- which is realy good for my soul, man. "I just do as I am told...." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edie Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 This song is great because it translates so easily from the full band in full freak-out mode with thousands of people screaming to Jeff playing it solo acoustic in an soft, intimate setting -- and both are equally enthralling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Neu! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Great, surreal lyrics. I was going to post a few lines from it but frankly, it's all good: Spiders are singing in the salty breezeSpiders are filling out tax returnsSpinning out webs of deductions and melodiesOn a private beach in Michigan Why can't they wish their kisses goodWhy do they miss when their kisses should Fly like winging birds fighting for the keys On a private beach in Michigan This recent rash of kidsmoke All these telescopic poemsIt's good to be alone Why can't they say what they want Why can't they just say what they mean Come clean, listen and talk Hello private callers, IDs blocked The sun will rise, we'll climb into cars The future has a valley and a shortcut around Who will wear the crown of drowning awardHold a private light on a Michigan shore You fool me with a kiss of kidsmokeFrom a microscopic home It's good to be alone I'll be in my bed You can be the stone That raises from the dead And carries us all home There's no blood on my hands I just do as I am told Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I've always thought the live Spiders is one of the best things they do live. It's just about the only nod to jamming Wilco does. Always reminded me of Phish's "First Tube". When the apocalyptic noise from the end of Poor Places is filling the room, and the stage is covered with dry ice smoke....and then Spiders just sneaks in. That's Wilco at their best in concert (imo of course). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 The solo Tweedy version (and the pre-AGIB live versions out there) are also excellent, despite the entire nature of the song being different.I've always been a big advocate of the early versions from 2002. I like them much better than the final product or the current versions, and encourage people to track them down.The one from 3/11/02 is an excellent example, and clocks in at just over 6 minutes. Not exactly overlong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
standenup Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 tweedy's solo version of this is awesome. if that's how it started out and then developed from there that's even more awesome. anybody know for sure? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cooperissup3r Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 i wasn't much of a fan for a while, and i kinda of groaned the first time i heard them start it up, but i must admit i just love it. for all the reasons described above. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aricandover Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 tweedy's solo version of this is awesome. if that's how it started out and then developed from there that's even more awesome. anybody know for sure? pretty much, yeah. http://www.wilcobase.com/song.php?song_key=192 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 i really like the melody. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmacomber68w Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 tweedy's solo version of this is awesome. if that's how it started out and then developed from there that's even more awesome. anybody know for sure? You should check out the Alpha Romeo Tango section at the bottom of the Wilco Archives off of Owl & Bear. If I remember correctly those versions of Spiders (and any early version) are shorter, and have that tweedy solo riff going on throughout the song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cooperissup3r Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 tweedy's solo version is just really great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 i find it a bit overrated (and overly long), but i like it. i prefer the pre-2004 version and tweedy's solo ones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billydee Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 The AGIB version reminds me (in a good way) of Stereolab. Which is appealing in and of itself. The solo Tweedy version (and the pre-AGIB live versions out there) are also excellent, despite the entire nature of the song being different. It's a good song that can survive two radically different approaches. Sterolab yay! Every band could use a little more of their influence. My girlfriend is really not a fan of Spiders, but I still find a way to love her in spite of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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