X-Mas Curtain

[lifegoesoff]

This is probably my favorite My Morning Jacket song, but the slide guitar in it is unbearable for me to listen to. I'm not sure I've ever heard a guitar part from a big name band on a professional recording that sounded so sloppy & not thought out at all. It ruins the song in a way for me. Especially the ending with the two slide guitars going back & forth with each other.. It sounds as if the slide is being played with the hope of it sounding good. It sounds about 85% improvised & not in a good way. It gives Nels' "Impossible Germany" solo at Wilco shows a run for its money..

 

The worst part starts around 4:04 & lasts until about 4:45.. Please kill me.

 

Will someone please listen to this song all the way through & tell me if you agree? (or should I have my ears checked..?)

 

 

[choo-choo-charlie]

I think you can find a way to keep on living, despite how you feel about this song. Keep in mind, this record came out in 2001. MMJ wasn't exactly a "big name band" then -- this is still very much an indie recording. MMJ were a lot more loose in their playing in those days; everything had a raw, unpolished quality to it. They're much tighter now, but I do love the old records.

 

Try listening to the version from the Okonokos live record:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1-MU2CSVPk

[lost highway]

Yeah, I think the live version is better. Also it has a different guitarist rocking the slide.

[choo-choo-charlie]

Yeah, Carl Broemel is the man. His solo record is great too. I dig the older lineup too.

[lifegoesoff]

Yeah I understand what you mean. I just saw them on the 21st for the first time & they played X-Mas Curtain & Carl was spot on with the slide in it. But then when I got home I figured I'd listen to the album version again & I wasn't impressed with the slide at all. It just sounds so amateur.