Heard it. Definitely like it. I realize people didn't care for Sky Blue Sky (which I loved), but I'm guessing people will like this record better than that one.
First impressions are that its a mix of the pop/rock stylings of Summerteeth and Sky Blue SKy's coma inducing soft-rock. Overall, its a tad better than their last album. The opener "Wilco (the song)" is catchy. I like some of Nels Cline's guitar work, particularly on the end of "Bull Black Nova". "I'll Fight" is a good track that reminds me of Summerteeth's darker tone. The Feist duet "You and I" will become an adult alternative staple.
Honestly folks, this band was amazing from Being There through Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. They still had something interesting going on with A Ghost is Born but that's the end of it. They're a shadow of their former selves.
And chaos, don't worry about hype bringing a bunch of people on board to loving this album. There won't be any except maybe around the soccer sidelines where the cooler dads a step ahead of the U2 and Coldplay crowd will be talking up their new cd purchase.
Posts: 1781 | Location: The Coastal Empire | Registered: 24 December 2004
Originally posted by hophead: First impressions are that its a mix of the pop/rock stylings of Summerteeth and Sky Blue SKy's coma inducing soft-rock. Overall, its a tad better than their last album. The opener "Wilco (the song)" is catchy. I like some of Nels Cline's guitar work, particularly on the end of "Bull Black Nova". "I'll Fight" is a good track that reminds me of Summerteeth's darker tone. The Feist duet "You and I" will become an adult alternative staple.
Honestly folks, this band was amazing from Being There through Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. They still had something interesting going on with A Ghost is Born but that's the end of it. They're a shadow of their former selves.
And chaos, don't worry about hype bringing a bunch of people on board to loving this album. There won't be any except maybe around the soccer sidelines where the cooler dads a step ahead of the U2 and Coldplay crowd will be talking up their new cd purchase.
I only ever loved YHF and just keep briefly checking out each new Wilco release to see if that particular fractured dark magic returns...I know this is not fair on Wilco since their life as a band goes on, happier it would seem, it's just that comfortably happier is rarely that interesting for anyone else...hey, I'm a moody bastard, what do I know?!
----------------- Don't Panic!!!
Posts: 406 | Location: Australia | Registered: 09 March 2009
I think the opening track, "Wilco (The Song)" is pretty great, vintage Wilco. The rest is more of the same snoozeworthy dad rock featured on Sky Blue Sky.
It's weird to think one band member can make a huge difference, but I've come to the realization that I don't really like the Nels Cline era Wilco at all. Bring back Jay Bennett!
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Posts: 5923 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I think the opening track, "Wilco (The Song)" is pretty great, vintage Wilco. The rest is more of the same snoozeworthy dad rock featured on Sky Blue Sky.
It's weird to think one band member can make a huge difference, but I've come to the realization that I don't really like the Nels Cline era Wilco at all. Bring back Jay Bennett!
Some of the stuff Nels Cline has done really contributes to the band's repertoire ("Impossible Germany," "Bull Black Nova"), but I agree with you that the dad-rock sound simply doesn't cut it whenever you compare the two most recent albums with YHF and Summerteeth. I mean, I really really like Sky Blue Sky and the new album will likely make my year-end list, so I understand why so many people will probably hate on the new album like they did on SBS, and I can relate - I wish the new album was YHF V2.0 as much as the next guy.
This record is awesome. Everything since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is amazing in my opinion. One of the best bands of generation y, period. More important than radiohead by far.
The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Posts: 220 | Location: Boulder, CO | Registered: 18 July 2007
Originally posted by Dr.Knockers: This record is awesome. Everything since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is amazing in my opinion. One of the best bands of generation y, period. More important than radiohead by far.
Am I detecting sarcasm here?
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Posts: 1104 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: 18 December 2006
I think it's funny that YHF was not "commercial" enough for Wilco's old label, Reprise, yet it pleased fans immensely. And that SBS, which I believe even Tweedy admitted was their more "experimental" record, pissed off most fans and would have pleased Reprise. MWA HAHA TWEEDY AND CO.'S SWEET REVENGE!!!!
My own opinion on Wilco that no one asked for: Anything before Summerteeth I know nothing about. Summerteeth is good. YHF is good, but overrated. A Ghost is Born has good tunes, but the production is too muddy. Sky Blue Sky is a good summer record.
Wilco is a solid band that makes good songs - like Spoon. They've never been groundbreaking, but they're at least consistent.
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Posts: 499 | Location: Tucson | Registered: 10 December 2007
For someone in a band as awesome and ridiculous as the Nels Cline Singers, Nels Cline is incredibly boring with Wilco. Although he does add a lot live. As far is the record is concerned, eh I don't know that I've ever cared for any of their records, but their last two have been particularly snooze worthy.
haha, no I wasn't being sarcastic at all actually. I really do believe that they are one of THE best bands of the decade. And I know it's just opinion, but I find their music much more enjoyable and lasting than anything Radiohead has done. "A Ghost Is Born" is my absolute favorite Wilco record.
The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Posts: 220 | Location: Boulder, CO | Registered: 18 July 2007
haha, no I wasn't being sarcastic at all actually. I really do believe that they are one of THE best bands of the decade. And I know it's just opinion, but I find their music much more enjoyable and lasting than anything Radiohead has done. "A Ghost Is Born" is my absolute favorite Wilco record.
I agree that Wilco is one of THE best bands of the decade, but I still think that Radiohead are far more likely to have their music remembered by people, and I think Radiohead are THE defining band of the decade.
haha, no I wasn't being sarcastic at all actually. I really do believe that they are one of THE best bands of the decade. And I know it's just opinion, but I find their music much more enjoyable and lasting than anything Radiohead has done. "A Ghost Is Born" is my absolute favorite Wilco record.
My apologies, then. I agree with you on AGIB. That's my favorite as well.
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Posts: 1104 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: 18 December 2006
