Wilco - Cruel Country - New Album

[5hake1t0ff]

Wilco’s always been about creating stark contrasts. I would be surprised if there next record sounded anything like CC. I’m glad Jeff thinks they can follow up a record meant to provide comfort and solace with one that will sound “alien.” I agree CC isn’t “a step forward” as much as it’s just, imo, really fucking good.

 

I also agree there’s a bit of a conflict, or choice, between experimentation and wanting to do live takes. SBS and CC are not what I would call experimental, boundary pushing Wilco records. They’re great because of how they revert to an older mode of recording live full band moments. Records like YHF and OTJ, on the other hand, used the studio as a weapon to create new soundscapes for Wilco but required some post-album redesign to be played live. To me, it’s albums like WTA and even TWL that fail to grab me *as albums* (plenty of good songs on each) because they didn’t have a clear approach or set a distinct mood. That’s what I appreciate about the last four albums: they are each so different and consistent within themselves as albums. I know what mood I can get from each of them.

[lost highway]

On 6/17/2022 at 2:12 PM, 5hake1t0ff said:

To me, it’s albums like WTA and even TWL that fail to grab me *as albums* (plenty of good songs on each) because they didn’t have a clear approach or set a distinct mood. That’s what I appreciate about the last four albums: they are each so different and consistent within themselves as albums. I know what mood I can get from each of them.

 

This is astute. I love TWL but it's the variety pack model. Curious though, if you go back through you can hear the seeds of Star Wars in songs like I Might, and the approach of CC in One Sunday Morning and Black Moon.

[Passenger Sid]

"I agree CC isn’t “a step forward” as much as it’s just, imo, really fucking good."

 

"...if you go back through you can hear the seeds of Star Wars in songs like I Might, and the approach of CC in One Sunday Morning and Black Moon."

 

 

These are, to me, good takes. I like Cruel Country a LOT. I think it works GREAT as an album, as did Ode To Joy, in my opinion. But both works are VERY serious sounding. And arty (Ode To Joy especially).

 

For me, Cruel Country really takes off and soars at Track 10, and is a beautiful ride until the end. But I do enjoy the first 9 tracks, and think they fit and set up the album well.

 

My dream for Wilco's next record would be their spin on Power-Pop (think Fountains Of Wayne, including a tinge of humor). Or, at least, an album that FEELS more like the singer & band are having a good time. 

[Beltmann]

7 hours ago, Passenger Sid said:

My dream for Wilco's next record would be their spin on Power-Pop (think Fountains Of Wayne, including a tinge of humor). Or, at least, an album that FEELS more like the singer & band are having a good time. 

I am so primed for something like this. (Fun fact: I once saw FoW and Wilco back-to-back at Summerfest. Still one of my favorite concert-going memories.)

[5hake1t0ff]

19 hours ago, Passenger Sid said:

But both works are VERY serious sounding. And arty (Ode To Joy especially).

 

I think Jeff got the memo about how Wilco Schmilco was received. (Not that it wasn't actually, in some ways, a very serious album. Just didn't land that way.) People expect serious Wilco. But I love your idea of a humor-based album; plus, it would allow Jeff to bring in Nic Offerman and George Saunders as collaborators.

[lost highway]

^ I'm curious what are some successful examples of albums that are mostly comedic. Newman's satire comes to mind but it's often as upsetting as it is funny. I get the feeling Zappa goes there but I don't mess with his stuff.

[5hake1t0ff]

 I don't know. I'm having trouble thinking of a band using comedy as a guiding concept for an album. There are the comedic bands like Tenacious D and, more recently, Mouse Rat (which included some Tweedy contributions). There are great songwriters who regularly deploy their sense of humor, like Bob Dylan and David Berman. But none of those examples quite fit the bill, do they.

[Passenger Sid]

"There are great songwriters who regularly deploy their sense of humor, like Bob Dylan and David Berman"

 

Paul Westerberg, Kurt Vile, Robyn Hitchcock, Dry Cleaning...

 

"Whimsical" would be a way better word than "comedy"...I don't think any of us would want Wilco attempting that. Passenger Side is a Top 10 all-time Wilco song for me. And some of Jeff's Golden Smog contributions are wonderful.

 

Besides all that, no matter the lyrics, an album that SOUNDS fun would we awesome. (I have Viking Dan on right now....I have no freaking idea what it means, but the jam smokes, and Jeff's voice has fantastic energy).

[lost highway]

^ This is the mood of Star Wars to me. "The Joke Explained" and "Random Name Generator" are kind of absurd and joyful.

[Passenger Sid]

1 hour ago, lost highway said:

^ This is the mood of Star Wars to me. "The Joke Explained" and "Random Name Generator" are kind of absurd and joyful.

 

 

Fair. A lot of it is subjective.

 

 

[jff]

21 hours ago, lost highway said:

^ I'm curious what are some successful examples of albums that are mostly comedic. Newman's satire comes to mind but it's often as upsetting as it is funny. I get the feeling Zappa goes there but I don't mess with his stuff.

The Turtles Battle of the Bands

[lost highway]

2 minutes ago, jff said:

The Turtles Battle of the Bands

 

I'll check it out!

[jff]

On 6/19/2022 at 9:10 AM, lost highway said:

 

This is astute. I love TWL but it's the variety pack model. Curious though, if you go back through you can hear the seeds of Star Wars in songs like I Might, and the approach of CC in One Sunday Morning and Black Moon.

Although I quoted you, I’m offering a take in response to you and to 5hake1tOff,

 

I feel like the variety pack model works best on double albums (White Album, Physical Graffiti, maybe Electric Ladyland), where the band can really stretch out and go lots of different places.  The cohesive album model, to me, works better on single albums (Rubber Soul, for example.). Maybe it’s a matter of attention span.

 

In my opinion, TWL might have been better if they had leaned harder into the variety pack concept and made it a double album.  And CC would be better if they had cut it down to a single.

 

i can’t really think of any double albums I love that I would consider cohesive in style or tone.  Even concept double-albums that are thematically cohesive like the Wall or Tommy are all over the map in musical style.

[jff]

24 minutes ago, lost highway said:

 

I'll check it out!

It helps if you look at the band photos inside the gatefold record cover.  I’m not sure if it comes across as well without that element.

[lost highway]

36 minutes ago, jff said:

In my opinion, TWL might have been better if they had leaned harder into the variety pack concept and made it a double album.  And CC would be better if they had cut it down to a single.

 

I would actually be into both of these versions. I love TWL and it could continue it's kaleidoscopic approach for another 10 songs. 

 

I'd also add London Calling is another classic 'variety pack' double album (as is Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness by that other Chicago band). You might be on to something. 

[5hake1t0ff]

I wholeheartedly agree TWL would be even better as a double album. Just adding Speak Into The Rose gets you halfway there, lol.

 

In general, like jff, I definitely prefer albums to be less than 45 minutes and have a consistent mood. That said, I still find that CC has plenty of variety to keep me interested all the way through.

 

I'll throw another idea out there: OTJ works better as a six track EP: (Tracks 1-4, 8, and 11). 

(Edit to add: "Love is Everywhere" belongs on CC!)

[Analogman]

Another RA connection - the end of Many Worlds reminds me of something Ryan has done. But I can't think of what song.

[jff]

18 hours ago, 5hake1t0ff said:

 

 

In general, like jff, I definitely prefer albums to be less than 45 minutes 

 

 

I guess having grown up mostly listening to vinyl, I have become accustomed to 35 - 45 minutes as the right length of time for an album.   I can focus intently on 22 minute album side, with a break to turn it over, and then another 22 minutes for the other side. And I can keep that focus going for several hours worth of albums.  

 

I got my first CD player when I was 16, and noticed right away that new releases were longer just because there was room for more songs.  The added length almost never resulted in better albums. I guess you could say you're getting more for your money when there's more music, but if you thoroughly enjoy 45 minute albums as a general rule (with a pause in the middle) and find 60-70 minute CDs inconsistent and less enjoyable as a general rule, is it really a better value?

 

Now I'm curious, how long is each CD in the two CD CC release?  Two 40 minute CDs might be a good way to hear this album. 

 

 

[5hake1t0ff]

1 hour ago, jff said:

 

Now I'm curious, how long is each CD in the two CD CC release?  Two 40 minute CDs might be a good way to hear this album. 

 

 

 

Disc One ends with The Universe and is 39 minutes. Disc Two is 38 minutes.

 

Great post, by the way. Love thinking about our listening experiences as being physical in nature. 

 

Speaking of, I wonder if the pandemic led to some shift in creativity towards the form factor of the double album. My four favorite albums released this year are all double albums (Wilco, Big Thief, Beach House, and Kendrick Lamar).

[jff]

2 hours ago, 5hake1t0ff said:

 

Disc One ends with The Universe and is 39 minutes. Disc Two is 38 minutes.

 

 

 I may get the CD version when it becomes available and try it that way.

[Jack1956]

I’m surprised there is still no info or news on the new album’s release in September.

[jff]

I don't know much about pressing CDs, but it's definitely incorrect to claim the vinyl release is being held up by supply chain issues.  The hold up is the production capacity of the very few vinyl pressing plants that currently exist.  It has absolutely nothing to do with the supplies needed to make the records.  

 

My opinion:  put an end to Record Store Day.  Regular bands can't get their albums pressed in anywhere close to a reasonable time frame because there are so many pointless RSD pressings of otherwise readily available oldies and classic rock titles.   This won't solve the problem entirely, but RSD is a huge drag on the ability of existing bands to have their records manufactured.

[5hake1t0ff]

On 7/11/2022 at 10:06 AM, Jack1956 said:

I’m surprised there is still no info or news on the new album’s release in September.

 

Just a shot in the dark, but my guess is this is mostly related to the YHF rollout. Jeff mentioned on the Kreative Kontrol podcast that they had been "in line" for years for all the vinyl needed for it. So I get the sense they're sensitive to the shortage and its effect on other bands trying to release around the same time. In other words, my guess is they will only release and promote the vinyl version of CC after YHF reissue has hit the shelves.

[Brian F.]

But what's the excuse for not having the full-scale CD version out?  Are there capacity or supply-chain issues with CD production?  They were able to manufacture the "white label" version.  I'm such a sucker that I paid for that and will pay again whenever the full CD version with artwork comes out.

 

Even worse, I pre-ordered Eddie Vedder's "Earthling" Deluxe CD and LP last November.  I'm still waiting for a release date, even though the "non-Deluxe" CD was in stores many months ago (with artwork, but no lyrics).

[Plumplechook]

6 hours ago, Brian F. said:

But what's the excuse for not having the full-scale CD version out?  Are there capacity or supply-chain issues with CD production?  They were able to manufacture the "white label" version.  I'm such a sucker that I paid for that and will pay again whenever the full CD version with artwork comes out.

 

Even worse, I pre-ordered Eddie Vedder's "Earthling" Deluxe CD and LP last November.  I'm still waiting for a release date, even though the "non-Deluxe" CD was in stores many months ago (with artwork, but no lyrics).

 

Mystified by this too.  My only access to Cruel Country is via the streaming services.  For my favorite acts like Wilco I always prefer to have a physical copy - not just to have the CD artwork/lyrics etc. but because the sound quality is better than lossy streaming.  Also,  artists get better compensated from physical sales than streaming.

 

When I check out my local record stores there are loads of new CDs coming out every week so I can't believe this is some sort of supply chain issue.  I understand the backlog for vinyl but not CDs.