Question about Wilco...

[bjornolf]

Hey Wilson,

I asked this question on DBR, but they tell me you're the Wilco "expert", and I know you spend more time here than there, so I'll ask it here. I've decided to check out Wilco, but before I start putting the serious money down, I just want to get one or two songs from iTunes to check them out. So, iTunes says Hummingbird is the most popular song right now, but what two or three songs should I start out with to get a good feel for them before i start plunking down the serious money? What are your favorite Wilco songs (might not necessarily be the same songs)?

iTunes says they're country. In the little iTunes 30 second preview, they didn't sound country to me. What do you think?

Thanks.

[rockymtn devil]

Wilson will likely have more to add, but I'll chime in.

First, Wilco's brand of country has always been more in-line with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or The Band than the Flying Burrito Brothers in that it's classic rock with splashes of country. Second, as you discovered by listening to some of their more recent work on iTunes, the twang that was present in their early albums (and in the pre-Wilco band Uncle Tupelo) has waned as they've experimented a bit more on recent albums. Their upcoming release is supposed to be more countrified, but I haven't heard the stream yet.

As for songs to check out:

Misunderstood
Sunken Treasure
Pick Up the Change
Jesus, Etc.
I'm the Man Who Loves You

I'll also add that every Wilco album is a completely different animal and your tastes may dictate which you like. In the end they are hipster-approved-dad-rock, which I say as a compliment.

[CathyCA]

Hey Wilson,

I asked this question on DBR, but they tell me you're the Wilco "expert", and I know you spend more time here than there, so I'll ask it here. I've decided to check out Wilco, but before I start putting the serious money down, I just want to get one or two songs from iTunes to check them out. So, iTunes says Hummingbird is the most popular song right now, but what two or three songs should I start out with to get a good feel for them before i start plunking down the serious money? What are your favorite Wilco songs (might not necessarily be the same songs)?

iTunes says they're country. In the little iTunes 30 second preview, they didn't sound country to me. What do you think?

Thanks.

Here's a trick I learned from my high schooler. You can check out a group by listening to their music over on youtube. I just found 6750 videos on youtube which include the term "wilco."

[wilson]

Wilson will likely have more to add, but I'll chime in.

First, Wilco's brand of country has always been more in-line with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or The Band than the Flying Burrito Brothers in that it's classic rock with splashes of country. Second, as you discovered by listening to some of their more recent work on iTunes, the twang that was present in their early albums (and in the pre-Wilco band Uncle Tupelo) has waned as they've experimented a bit more on recent albums. Their upcoming release is supposed to be more countrified, but I haven't heard the stream yet.

As for songs to check out:

Misunderstood
Sunken Treasure
Pick Up the Change
Jesus, Etc.
I'm the Man Who Loves You

I'll also add that every Wilco album is a completely different animal and your tastes may dictate which you like. In the end they are hipster-approved-dad-rock, which I say as a compliment.

I strongly agree with all of this. It's interesting that 'Hummingbird' would be their most popular iTunes song, because I really do like that one. It would definitely be in the top 6 or so I'd recommend. RMD is particularly right that all of their albums sound completely different too. I might suggest that you get the live album 'Kicking Television' or the audio tracks from their recent DVD, 'Ashes of American Flags'. Perhaps more than any other band, Wilco's live performances do a good job of representing their whole catalog.
I will think of a short list of songs to check out, but that's gonna take me a day or so.

[wilson]

I just took a look at Mal's response on the DBArrr ! thread, and his is a pretty sound assessment of the band on the whole, the individual albums, and the best songs from each (though I'd of course differ a bit from some of his opinions. I still need some time to think.

[cl15876]

Hey Wilson,

I asked this question on DBR, but they tell me you're the Wilco "expert", and I know you spend more time here than there, so I'll ask it here. I've decided to check out Wilco, but before I start putting the serious money down, I just want to get one or two songs from iTunes to check them out. So, iTunes says Hummingbird is the most popular song right now, but what two or three songs should I start out with to get a good feel for them before i start plunking down the serious money? What are your favorite Wilco songs (might not necessarily be the same songs)?

iTunes says they're country. In the little iTunes 30 second preview, they didn't sound country to me. What do you think?

Thanks.

Why would you ask Wilson about country, he loves Fleetwood MAC!!!!!

[rockymtn devil]

FYI, I heard the first single from the new album ("You Never Know") on the radio this week. Very fun and lots of backing vocals from the band. The sound reminded me of Summerteeth, minus the Radiohead-esque power pop elements. The song is available on iTunes as is the album pre-order which comes with a bonus track.

[rockymtn devil]

Calling Wilson...

Where's the review of Wilco(the album)?

[wilson]

Calling Wilson...

Where's the review of Wilco(the album)?

I bought it yesterday (release day) and I've already listened three times. I think it will be better received than Sky Blue Sky...not quite so "even-keeled" this time around. The sound is very eclectic and it just, I dunno, "does more" than SBS (that may or may not make any sense at all). Those looking for the more prog-y stuff a la Yankee Hotel Foxtrot will probably be disappointed, as this one is still a pretty melodic record. "You and I," with Feist on vocals, is a confectionary masterpiece of a song, while "One Wing" and "Bull Black Nova" hold up quite well against, say, "Impossible Germany" or any other "opus" track from previous albums. I think the album will age well, and I'm quite excited to hear some of the tracks live. I think this one is a good, accessible entree into Wilco for the uninitiated, but it still has the rich sound textures that, I think, are the band's signature and strength.
More thoughts after I've given it some more time.

[rockymtn devil]

Calling Wilson...

Where's the review of Wilco(the album)?

I bought it yesterday (release day) and I've already listened three times. I think it will be better received than Sky Blue Sky...not quite so "even-keeled" this time around. The sound is very eclectic and it just, I dunno, "does more" than SBS (that may or may not make any sense at all). Those looking for the more prog-y stuff a la Yankee Hotel Foxtrot will probably be disappointed, as this one is still a pretty melodic record. "You and I," with Feist on vocals, is a confectionary masterpiece of a song, while "One Wing" and "Bull Black Nova" hold up quite well against, say, "Impossible Germany" or any other "opus" track from previous albums. I think the album will age well, and I'm quite excited to hear some of the tracks live. I think this one is a good, accessible entree into Wilco for the uninitiated, but it still has the rich sound textures that, I think, are the band's signature and strength.
More thoughts after I've given it some more time.

I agree 100%. It's a safe album like SBS, but in a much more exciting way (and I don't mean "safe" in a bad way at all). Each song sounds individual, which I can't say for SBS. It also has splashes of everything that came before it. "Sonny Feeling" could've been on AM; "Bull Black Nova" on A Ghost is Born; "You Never Know" on Summerteeth; and "Deeper Down" on YHF.

[wilson]

BTTT in response to McGrupp's question/convenient additional post.

[rockymtn devil]

After a dozen or so listens, I've decided that "I'll Fight" is the best track on the new album. I love the acoustic guitar intro and the simple dying-soldier-in-love lyrics. "You and I" is another standout, but again for the simplicity of the lyrics. The latter will find its way on to countless "song of the year" lists next December.

[wilson]

After a dozen or so listens, I've decided that "I'll Fight" is the best track on the new album. I love the acoustic guitar intro and the simple dying-soldier-in-love lyrics. "You and I" is another standout, but again for the simplicity of the lyrics. The latter will find its way on to countless "song of the year" lists next December.

Agreed on the above. I've also been really digging on "One Wing." I think the lyrics, which evoke the frustrations of life & love, are really outstanding.