Chicagoist: Wilco to Try That Whole "Band" Thing on for Size

Bill

Fri, 18 May 2007 19:35:13 -0600

To each his/her own, but if you only like Ghost is Born and Sky Blue Sky, I feel you are missing out on at least 3 great albums by the band (who wouldn't agree with that). Ghost is Born on is almost like two different bands, and I'll take the earlier lineup hands down.

skiff

Fri, 18 May 2007 18:38:46 -0600

A Ghost is Born was a master piece album(the first Wilco album I owned)rich with the great songwriting, creativity and musicianship that is lacking in 99.9% of rock music today. Sky Blue Sky is a continuation of that. Simply stooping to a level by resorting to calling an album like this "Adult Contemperary" is just another example of how little you actually hear. No surprise for a generation of "background music" fans and critics who never in their life attempted to listen to and understand music on any deeper level than the one you watch TV at.

Jhonon

Fri, 18 May 2007 15:14:01 -0600

The songs are ok--my main issue is with this Nels Cline character. He plays like some sort of shredding Yngwie Malmsteen on speed--trying to put as many notes as possible in his solos. It may be impressive tehnically, but musicially it is a bit dull.

Jeff

Fri, 18 May 2007 15:09:19 -0600

Who wants to wait three months for an album to "sink in"? If it's a good release, you should be able to tell after a few listens.I like to think of it like Anchorman. I thought it was the worst piece of shit excuse for a movie I'd ever seen the first time I watched it, but as I saw it a couple of more times it kept getting funnier.While I didn't necessarily think Sky Blue Sky was terrible the first time I heard it, it definitely got better the more I listened to it.But really, I just wanted an excuse to talk about Ron Burgundy.

Jocelyn

Fri, 18 May 2007 14:45:34 -0600

Anyone know why Wilco's tour is skipping Chicago??

Bill V

Fri, 18 May 2007 14:25:47 -0600

Who wants to wait three months for an album to "sink in"? If it's a good release, you should be able to tell after a few listens.

marty

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:48:29 -0600

Although Ghost might be a little too heady for some people too digest, I find it far from disappointing. Tweedy had a vision and, although it might have been incoherent or out of focus at times, he displayed a rare artistic conviction in putting his vision onto record. As far as the new album is concerned, i've been listening ever since it was released in mid-March and it only gets better with time. While they may be a bit too Weather Channel for some, there are almost countless jaw-dropping guitar hero moments. The musical precision of the instrumental break during Shake it Off really shows off the tightness of the band. I could go and On and On and On, but you just have to let the album sink in over time for yourself.

tankboy

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:27:45 -0600

dw, YHF is assumed to be included in the "first in the line of a number of Wilco albums that were just absolutely terrific" observation, don't worry!

dw

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:22:12 -0600

Good review but you forgot YHF!

Bill V

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:21:32 -0600

Julene beat me to it, but Adult Contemporary is the perfect description. I could be reading a book in my back yard and have this on in the background, when I'd much rather have something that I could play on the highway with the top down. Softer + Tender = Boring could sum up most of the songs. BTW, I loved A.M.!

Julene

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:10:44 -0600

This morning on my way into work and listening to this album, I totally had the same thought as you - too Adult Contemporary on first run through. I hope Jeff has truly loosened the reins and lets the band's talents complement his own from here on out.

WJB

Fri, 18 May 2007 12:54:14 -0600

Solid review.