My Revelation

[WishfulThinking13]

When I first heard the new single, I immediately loved it (and it has been getting better and better which is a good sign) However, I watched the Youtube videos and listened to the recorded mp3s of the 4 other new tracks played at Solid Sound. I loved Born Alone right away, but I posted negatively about the tracks "Dawned on Me" and "Standing O," saying that it sounded like more pop mediocrity. Admittedly, I strongly dislike half of Wilco the Album, and I see the album as the whole as forgettable. Not bad, but not great either.

 

When I heard "Dawned on Me" and "Standing O," I thought that we were in for more creatively stagnant output from the band. However, I listened to the tracks more and more and I might be wrong. First of all, I admitted form the beginning that you can't judge a track before you hear it on the album, especially with sub par Youtube quality that only really brings out the vocals and basic instruments. When I was listening to Dawned on Me, I did think the chorus was very catchy, but it at the same time, I thought to myself "If I want to hear this, I can listen to some pop classic, not Wilco." However, then I noticed some pretty freaky guitar playing going on.. which immediately made the track cooler. I can only imagine how cool it might sound on the record. Also, Wilco's catalogue is full of songs that are simple, catchy pop tunes at the core, but gave interesting lyrics and cool instrumental compositions (Magazine Called Sunset, various tracks from Summerteeth, etc) My point is, Dawned on Me could turn out to be a boring pop song, but I was wrong to judge it so quickly, for I have a feeling that it will be an interesting tune. As for Standing O, I feel like this one will take some getting used to... It might just be the quality of the audio, but I'm not sure where the song is going, and I am not fond of the title.

 

Then the tracklist was released, and I kind of broke it down going off of what I've heard and a lot of speculation... ha.

 

Art of Almost - I have a good feeling about this one, from the descriptions of it, and the videos that were briefly posted of a song which many people believe to be this one. It also doesn't hurt that the album opens with a seven minute track.

I Might - We have it, and for me it gets better with every listen. I think it will be even better in the context of the record.

Sunloathe - Really cool song title, sounds almost too cool for a mid tempo ballad about love lost

Dawned on Me - Growing on me, I see it as a solid track at the worst.

Black Moon - Badass song title.. reminds me of a Radiohead song title

Born Alone - Awesome track, we know we are getting a guitar wall of noise at the end

Open Mind - I could see this as being one of the weaker tracks, which doesn't make it bad (Jeff's solo performance on that tv show was beautiful) - doesn't hurt to have a slow, folky track in there

Capitol City - Another cool title, I see this as a crazier track after the palette cleanser of Open Mind (all speculation)

Standing O - I have to wait to hear it on the record to form a real opinion of any kind - I think it could be a weaker track at the worst - but not bad

Rising Red Lung - Probably the coolest song title IMO, reminds me of the lyrics to Wishful Thinking/AGIB era

Whole Love - I really liked this song, Jeff's falsetto sounded cool and it seems pretty funky - a solid track at the very worst

One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) - In my opinion, I don't see many ways that a 12 minute track with this kind of name could be bad .... hahaha

 

All in all, I am very optimistic... the fact that the record is bookended by epic tracks is pretty awesome. I am really excited to hear it. I am not expecting a masterpiece, but I also know that it will be better than the last album. However, I do believe that its value will extend beyond just being better than W(TA) Sorry if this was too long, I wanted to share my thoughts.

[welch79]

I am really excited to hear it.