Maybe it’s because I grew up in a concept-album-o-centric house. Maybe it’s because I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know all the words to Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon. Maybe it’s because I’ve always hated pop music with the white-hot intensity of a billion supernovas. Maybe it’s the beer talking, Marge, but you’ve got a butt that won’t quit. Maybe it’s because my Id beat the everliving shit out of my Superego years ago . . . but music has never been light, disposable, background noise to me. Music has been as much a part of my life as oxygen and water, and I’m über passionate about what I like and don’t like.
I know that I’m late to the party on this by about eight years, but about two weeks ago I discovered a band I really like: Wilco.
Oh my god. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
The last album to work its way deep into the nanofibers of my being like YHF was OK Computer. I’ve heard the name “Wilco” all over the place, especially because I’m such a nerd for The Conet Project, but I can’t believe I hadn’t actually heard this record until now.
I’ve been so totally blown away by YHF that yesterday, I picked up two more Wilco discs: being there, and a ghost is born.
Oh my god. Being There.
Oh my god. A Ghost is Born.
If my Wilco Smart Playlist was an audio tape, I would have burned it out in the last 24 hours. If it was a pair of shoes, the heels would be worn right through. If it was a million dollars, I would have used it to buy you a fur coat (but not a real fur coat, because that’s cruel.)
If you like some of the other books and movies and crap that I like, and you haven’t heard it yet, get Yankee Hotel Foxtrot right now. It’s not filled with jaunty little hooks that you can sing to yourself while you wait for the train — it’s much better, and much more rewarding, than that.
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In case you don’t know this collection of spy numbers recordings, you’ll appreciate this site:
http://home.freeuk.com/spook007/
My favorite is Foxtrot Sierra
I know this is near-blasphemy, but I actually like Summerteeth better than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. That was the album that got me on the Wilco bandwagon.
Isn’t it just AWESOME when you find a band you adore? It’s even more awesome when you find someone who also thinks they’re awesome, then the two of you can talk about their sheer awesomeness, and that’s just awesome.
Hmm, I think I overused the word awesome there… Ah, well.
Anyway, good for you on finding a great CD!
Nice Bare Naked Ladies refrence, too. I love the Million Dollars song. 😉
Hey Wil,
TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!!!! I can’t wait to see you on CSI!!!! I’ve blogged about you in my diary and have a few people leaving comments about you and how they now know about it they’ll watch. I’ve also given them the like to this website. GO WIL!
YOU ROCK
Music has always been that way for me too.
Music is so much more essenctial than just noise in the background, it has always been a reflection and enhancement of my life in so many ways.
Hmm late to the wilco train? still haven’t even gotten on yet.. but I will give them a listen soon… because we usually agree on these things..
This better be good wheaton! 😛
While you’ve turned me on to a few great bands, Fountains of Wayne being the most recent, I decided to give Wilco a chance. I’ve downloaded A Ghost Is Born and I’m feeding my ears as we speak.
So far, it sounds very well produced, but nothing is reaching out and grabbing me – with the exception of Spiders (Kidsmoke) which sounds like so much guitar masturbation, it’s giving me a headache.
I’ll give the rest of it a chance since there seem to be so many hipsters out there who seem to dig their sound, baby.
Also, I’ve never gotten terribly into CSI, but I will try it tonight. Damn you, Wheaton. Damn you and your influence!
I’ll have to check Wilco out. I’m not sure if it will be my cup of tea or not, but I will check them out. Now for a recommendation out of left field. The album that has been residing for a while in my CD player is Sack Trick’s “Sheep in Kiss Makeup” Kiss tribute album. Oh I know what your thinking, “Kiss tribute album? A bunch of talentless hacks rehashing old Kiss songs?” No not quite, this are Kiss songs done in a humorous way with vastly divergent styles and instruments, excellently performed. Totally mind blowing. I warn you though, the style swings are great.
My favorite style of music is Metal, so I’ll throw out a few picks in that style, but first some non metal picks.
Anything by Kate Bush.
Anything by Tribe of Gypsies
If you like metal, you should definately own Bruce Dickinson’s Chemical Wedding and Accident of Birth albums. You should also get Nevermore’s Politics of Ecstacy.
Rock on.
I’ll have to check Wilco out. I’m not sure if it will be my cup of tea or not, but I will check them out. Now for a recommendation out of left field. The album that has been residing for a while in my CD player is Sack Trick’s “Sheep in Kiss Makeup” Kiss tribute album. Oh I know what your thinking, “Kiss tribute album? A bunch of talentless hacks rehashing old Kiss songs?” No not quite, this are Kiss songs done in a humorous way with vastly divergent styles and instruments, excellently performed. Totally mind blowing. I warn you though, the style swings are great.
My favorite style of music is Metal, so I’ll throw out a few picks in that style, but first some non metal picks.
Anything by Kate Bush.
Anything by Tribe of Gypsies
If you like metal, you should definately own Bruce Dickinson’s Chemical Wedding and Accident of Birth albums. You should also get Nevermore’s Politics of Ecstacy.
Rock on.
If it was a million dollars, I would have used it to buy you a fur coat (but not a real fur coat, because that’s cruel.)
*clap*
I will definatly be checking these guys out.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Son Volt. It’s what happened to the other guys from Uncle Tupelo. I think they might have broken up by now. Anyway, their album “Trace” is most excellent.
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Son Volt. It’s what happened to the other guys from Uncle Tupelo. I think they might have broken up by now. Anyway, their album “Trace” is most excellent.
Glad to hear you like YHF. I believe someone mentioned it in a comment sometime before when you mentioned numbers stations :-).
Adding my voice to the praise for the Mermaid Avenue albums, with Wilco and Billy Bragg — then off to listen to “Life’s a Riot Between the Wars.”
Enjoy!
I went to see a solo Jeff Tweedy show on Friday, March 4th. Wilco is such a great band and the Tweedys are exceptional people. The band that opened for them on Friday night was a Chicago based band called Riviera. You should really check them out. Awesome…
http://www.riviera-sound.com
Other bands worth noting:
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
The Decemberists
Doves
Spoon
Bright Eyes
The Autumn Defense
Wilco rocks, Wil! I’ve been a fan since the early Uncle Tupelo days. Check out the Mermaid Ave. albums with Billy Bragg and Wilco. And I know you will thoroughly enjoy the DVD “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” which is a documentary about the making of YHF. Happy listening!
Wil, if you like YHF, don’t completely disregard A Ghost is Born, the newest Wilco album. It is different than their earlier stuff (and YHF is still my favorite, followed by Being There), but somehow it still got in my head just as much.
Great job on CSI, by the way!