Not surprisingly, Wilco's debut album, A.M., isn't a great departure from Uncle Tupelo. Wilco's music rocks in a more conventional way than Uncle Tupelo, rolling along with a loping beat that swings more than it rocks. "Casino Queen" is a shambling, bluesy honky tonk number that's boozier than anything Tupelo recorded, which is indicative of the major difference between the bands. Wilco wears its heart on its sleeve, writing songs that fit into the conventions of country-rock, not ones that rework the rules. "Box Full of Letters" doesn't deviate from the standard mid-tempo country-rock number, yet it's done so well it doesn't matter. Still, the opener, "I Must Be High" -- a clever love song that subtly tweaks both lyrical and musical clichés, as well as featuring a killer melody -- casts a shadow over A.M., offering the knowledge that Wilco can subvert the genre without losing its accessibility. In its light, all the very good songs that follow seem somewhat disappointing.
Being on MOG has given me plenty of opportunities to read about great concerts. Many of the reviews make it so I wish I could have been standing in the crowd with the rest of the audience. After reading that Helen, Neill, Terry, Mike and Anna would be going to an incredible show in the not so distant future, I started to think of all the shows that I had been to over the course of my lifetime. ...
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Last night, the weather forecast reported that there would be 'Moderate to Heavy Snowfall' throughout most of the country. As they specifically mentioned the provinces of Connaught and Leinster (in which I live), I figured we might get at least a light dusting. Then when the radio alarm went off this morning (at the ungodly hour of 5.45am) I heard the news - SNOW!!!! IT HAPPENED!!!! WOOHOO!!!!T...
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Being on MOG has given me plenty of opportunities to read about great concerts. Many of the reviews make it so I wish I could have been standing in the crowd with the rest of the audience. After reading that Helen, Neill, Terry, Mike and Anna would be going to an incredible show in the not so distant future, I started to think of all the shows that I had been to over the course of my lifetime. ...
More >
My brother is staying at the house now until he gets bored of golfing and decides to go back to being a soulless robot(he is an attorney).It works out well actually, I had my niece and nephews over all day. Good kids, but 5 kids under 14 to one Blair is a bad ratio, so I am happy to have him as a distraction. I love the guy, but it is funny how different we are. I was walking down the stairs an...
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From The New York Times...During the show at the Wiltern Mr. Tweedy couldn't help playing with the hipsters in the crowd, like when they responded wanly to his entreaties to clap. "You should have seen them do this in Pomona," he said. "They clapped like they were born to clap.""The willingness to do this," he said, raising his hands above his smiling face, clapping and looking out into the lig...
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Last night, the weather forecast reported that there would be 'Moderate to Heavy Snowfall' throughout most of the country. As they specifically mentioned the provinces of Connaught and Leinster (in which I live), I figured we might get at least a light dusting. Then when the radio alarm went off this morning (at the ungodly hour of 5.45am) I heard the news - SNOW!!!! IT HAPPENED!!!! WOOHOO!!!!T...
More >
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 "A.M.")
