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Less Than You Think


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I've been playing AGIB a lot recently in the run up to the release of TWL, and I just wondered what everyones thoughts on LTYT are?

Because of the extended drone I find it a bit frustrating that its placed 2nd last track and would much prefer it was placed after The Late Greats, because if nothing else its got all the hallmarks of a closing track. Part of me actually admires Jeff for placing it where he did on the record, but I find that I just skip the rest of the song when the drone passage kicks in because I am too impatient and want to hear TLG. I really do believe I would play this song all the way through if it was the closer, anybody else agree?

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I really like it as the second-to-last song. For me, it encapsulates in one song all the darkness and pain that threads througout the album...

 

and then the drone ends and we are treated to a happy tune as if to say "Thanks for your indulgence into my psychosis but really, everything's going to be ok!"

 

and yes, I too skip the drone. If we were back in the days of LP's and cassettes I don't think they could have placed that song as they did.

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Guest McGuffin

Funny how this topic comes up when just yesterday I referred to a long, drawn out, self-indulgent post as being LTYT to the point where I stopped reading it.

 

I don't know if I ever listened to the entire drone at the end. Ever. Maybe once?

 

I'd love to have the song cut down to however long it is just as the drone begins.

 

Someone will probably come on and say the drone is amazing and speaks to them with all sorts of meaning because that's the tenor of this board.

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The drone is amazing and speaks to me with all sorts of meaning because that's the tenor of this board.

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I like the drone. I don't listen to it every time I listen to the album, but I prolly do half the time. There was a similar thread on this topic a few months back.

 

The drone from the residency shows was really good. I think it was night 5. If you are a drone fan then you should definitely check that out.

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Funny how this topic comes up when just yesterday I referred to a long, drawn out, self-indulgent post as being LTYT to the point where I stopped reading it.

 

I don't know if I ever listened to the entire drone at the end. Ever. Maybe once?

 

I'd love to have the song cut down to however long it is just as the drone begins.

 

Someone will probably come on and say the drone is amazing and speaks to them with all sorts of meaning because that's the tenor of this board.

Now you get it. I've been cracking up watching you go back and forth with the more argumentative sect of this board. Its kinda like the old hockey game/fight expression around here except its more like "I went to an argument fan site and a civil Wilco conversation broke out"

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Guest McGuffin

Now you get it. I've been cracking up watching you go back and forth with the more argumentative sect of this board. Its kinda like the old hockey game/fight expression around here except its more like "I went to an argument fan site and a civil Wilco conversation broke out"

 

Oh, I'm here to entertain, impart wisdom and take a few of the fanboys down a notch. Reading all the posts about having the album before release and saying it's amazing and a "masterpiece" really just make me laugh.

 

Oh, and on the internet, everyone is a writer, cool, hot and rich. Don't you know? :wave

 

Chip-on-his-shoulder-78521.jpg

 

Chucky, I'm much better looking than that. Try again. Poor effort.

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A troll is born.

 

 

Oh, I'm here to entertain, impart wisdom and take a few of the fanboys down a notch. Reading all the posts about having the album before release and saying it's amazing and a "masterpiece" really just make me laugh. :wave

 

 

There is a Wilco song that would be appropriate to reference here. If only I could remember which one...

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"Less Than You Think" is a tough one because although I've enjoyed the whole thing on many occasions (including seeing it live at the Residency and one time sitting alone in my car on a rainy night), I sometimes wish the actual song, (the first three to four minutes, which is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs Wilco's ever recorded) stood on its own, away from the 'drone'. But only sometimes.

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"Less Than You Think" is a tough one because although I've enjoyed the whole thing on many occasions (including seeing it live at the Residency and one time sitting alone in my car on a rainy night), I sometimes wish the actual song, (the first three to four minutes, which is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs Wilco's ever recorded) stood on its own, away from the 'drone'. But only sometimes.

 

It is a problematic one, isn't it.

 

D-man was listening to it last night while he was going to bed. I could hear it through the door. The drone can be somewhat soothing. Thebeginning of The Late Greats is really jarring after the drone.

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I'll listen to the whole thing about every third or fourth time. If I've got the AGIB vinyl on and I'm in the middle of a game of Scrabble, sometimes I find it helpful in concentrating!

 

Oh - and McGuffin: the picture was merely a suggestion that someone around here seems to have a chip on their shoulder, that's all. Didn't say it was you.

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I agree with "one of the most beautiful and emotional songs Wilco's ever recorded". The first time that I heard 'Less Than You Think' was at the Tampa Theatre show on the 2nd of November 2002 (still one of my top 5 Wilco concerts out of... hell, I forget and don't have the time to figure it out now! I highly recommend having a copy.). Anyway, 'Less Than You Think' was the 4th song played sans the length and drone of the future 'A Ghost Is Born' version. We were totally loving it from the opening. Imagine our surprise when it came out a couple of years later!

 

I also remember laughing when they opened with it at Madison Square Garden for the New Year's Eve concert. I loved Jeff's comment afterward. Something about how they had to open with their most melodic song or some such. If I were at home I'd listen to the recording and get it right.

 

I definitely prefer non-drone versions and don't really listen to the drone when I play 'Ghost...'. That type of music just isn't in my wheelhouse.

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Not as problematic as all of Wilco (the Album), but yeah.

 

I really don't have a problem with W(TA). I think it was not the greatest execution of intent, but We are all guilty of that at one time or another.

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Guest McGuffin

 

It is a problematic one, isn't it.

 

D-man was listening to it last night while he was going to bed. I could hear it through the door. The drone can be somewhat soothing.

 

Wow. Well, um, okay.

 

One time was enough for me. The point was taken. I could never understand repeat listens of the drone or one finding it "soothing." But there are lots of ridiculous things posted here, so mmmkay.

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Wow. Well, um, okay.

 

One time was enough for me. The point was taken. I could never understand repeat listens of the drone or one finding it "soothing." But there are lots of ridiculous things posted here, so mmmkay.

 

Trying a bit hard there, sport

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i love the album version of this. doesn't glenn play the hammer dulcimer? my end-around is that i've tweaked the digital file to cut off at around 3:02. if on vinyl, i'll just let it spin. cd? prolly skip after the song proper.

 

never heard it live, but i've heard it on a boot.

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