I was just talking about Wilco with ButterflyEffect and vince in this post and thought I'd pose this question to not just them but to everyone.
If you're not familiar with Wilco I have posted their seminal album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in the video here.
Enjoy!
Oh, my favorite would change often but I always really have liked Don't Forget the Flowers as it was the song that first got me interested in them. I should credit sounds_sound for making me a fan though. When Yankee Hotel Foxtrot came out we listened to it a lot. But then sounds_sound can be credited for introducing me to many of my favorite artists.
What's your favorite Wilco tune?
My Wilco plug may seem sort of odd to you all, judging by what's already in this thread. But hey -- songs written by Woody Guthrie and performed with Billy Bragg? Can't go wrong. As far as straight Wilco goes, A Ghost is Born.
Oh, yes! When I bought the first Bragg/Wilco CD I had that baby on repeat for days on end. California Stars is one of my favorites, too.
Two great calls. As for the Wilco/Bragg stuff, I've always loved California Stars.
The first song of theirs that caught my ear and has lasted since I first heard them about five years ago has been "At Least That's What You Said", the opening track on "A Ghost is Born". I'm a sucker for a big guitar sound, and the solo that last most of the song carries a dissonance between the huge, angry tone and melodies that explore a range of anger, panic, and insecurity that defines what some of Wilco's music means to me, and it opened up a lot of music in the noise genre for me. Tweedy said the solo was a musical representation of one of his panic attacks.
Yep, that crunchy guitar is fantastic. Great build, love it. Good call on an awesome version too. I always enjoy seeing Tweedy performing a guitar solo, it's a somewhat rare thing but he sounds great with some Nels compliments.
Thanks for the shout out pal. I'm honored and am so happy to know that something I turned you onto has given you so much joy over the years. Coming home last night in a drunken stupor, I listened to that album again. One thing I realized, which I hadn't really considered before, is the absolute genius placement of Kamera. To open the album like they do, in a 7 minute shadowy mess, and then, 2 songs later bring you back into the deep with a 5 minute brooding piece can ONLY be pulled off with the little pop gem sewing them together. What incredible thought and consideration to the construction of the whole. A true concept album. I have fond memories of not the first time I heard that album, but the first time I realized it was really good but still didn't know all of it yet. I was in my brothers apartment in Ypsi and it was winter. We were having Christmas dinner. His apartment was weird because although the thermostat was in a different unit of the house it controlled the entire thing. His neighbor left for the holiday and turned the heat low so we had to use the stove and a fan to circulate some much needed warm air. Huddled in the kitchen, around an open oven door with no food in it, glowing electric coil, the xylophone kicks on in the background - Oh distance has a way...., my ears prick and lighting strikes. So exciting then to anticipate and invest in the intricacies of the sound. Got to thank O'Rourke for that one no doubt. I don't have a favorite song of theirs but one I always loved is their live version of Via Chicago. For one, the opening lyric "I dreamed about killing you again last night and it felt all right to me. Dying on the banks of Embarcadero skies I sat and watched you bleed" is great. But there's the moment, @ 2:06, when the skies open up and a tornado goes through the song. All with Tweedy standing in the quiet center as if nothing is different. I saw them do that move live, not knowing it was coming. I wish I could have that surprise back again. That there is a band with incredible control in proper form. Music rules.
Thank you. I've been lucky to see them perform Via Chicago a couple of times and it's a great one, for sure and you're spot on regarding that opening lyric, it's a slap in the face for the listener. It follows with Buried you alive in a fireworks display raining down on me. In this dream, the thought of killing this person is so grand that it inspires fireworks to rain down. Great song, just great. Nice pick.
She's a Jar is a really, really good song. The last lyric of that one definitely raised some eyebrows.Every moments a little bit later. Possibly the deepest yet most trite lyric ever. (hubski post?)
-That's a good call, it really is. If you made the post, I'm sure I could come up with at least 1 answer.
Apart from the ones already named, I find Jesus, Etc to be quite catchy.
(You might to change Vince to vince so he'll be tagged.) If we're going with songs then I head kind of all over the place. The song that got my interested in them was Impossible Germany, which is not a typical Wilco song. I'm a list mood tonight though, so here is a top five which I feel encompasses them artistically. 5. Misunderstood, just a deeply moving song, don't know how to describe it outside of that.
4. Art of Almost, a pretty experimental song even by their standards.
3. Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(Again), this one doesn't seem to get much love, but I have a strange draw to it.
2. I am Trying to Break Your Heart, there's a reason their documentary was named after this song.
1. Ashes of American Flags, from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This song made me cry the first time I heard it. The line lAll my lies are always wishesl still gets me every time.
(thank you, changed) All my lies are always wishes is one of the best lyrics I've ever heard, I couldn't agree more especially when it's followed by I know I would die if I could come back new. -Damn. I also think Our love is all of gods money is one of my favorites off that album. Great list ButterflyEffect. I'll try my hand at 5 too minus Don't forget the Flowers and Shot in the Arm which I've posted tonight: 5. How to Fight Loneliness -Some bad ass lyrics in this one too
4. Theologians -love vocals, the lyrics and the crunchy guitar.
3. You Are My Face -Filling in for sunshine....
2. I'm Always In Love
1. Poor Places let's just post those lyrics in full, shall we: It's my father's voice dreaming of
Sailors sailing off in the morning
for the air-conditioned rooms
at the top of the stairs His jaw's been broken
his bandage is wrapped too tight
his fangs have been pulled
and i really want to see you tonight There's Bourbon on the breath
of the singer you love so much
He takes all his words from the books
that you don't read anyway His jaw's been broken
his bandage is wrapped too tight
My fangs have been pulled
and I really want to see you tonight Someone ties a bow
in my backyard to show me love
My voice is climbing walls
smoking and i want love My jaw's been broken
My heart is wrapped in ice
My fangs have been pulled
and i really want to see you tonight And it makes no difference to me
how they cried all over overseas
It's hot in the poor places tonight
I'm not going outside They cried all over overseas
It makes no difference to me
It's hot in the poor places tonight
I'm not going outside Love the imagery, the emotion and the fact that it likely was constructed from pulling lines out of a hat. Great band.