Listening To You - Wilco Part 2 (Enter Kotche, Jorgensen, Cline and Sansone)

This is obviously the second part of this great bands profile.  We've just entered a time in Wilco's history where there was a lot of turnover/turmoil in it's makeup.  Jay Bennett had just exited the band and drummer, Glenn Kotche had joined just in time for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  There would be just four remaining members for the next album, A Ghost Is Born.  This album would win them two Grammys, which is funny, because their best and most critically acclaimed album to date, YHF, wouldn't even receive a nomination.  That wacky Grammy panel, they really know what's going on in music.  I'll concede any more tangent rants, for now.  Onto some songs from, A Ghost Is Born.

"Theologians"

"The Late Greats"


Their next album released in 2007, Sky Blue Sky, would be the first studio album to feature the lineup they have today.  Guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist, Pat Sansone, were both on the live album, Kicking Television: Live in Chicago.  Which is highly recommended by the staff here at For Lack Of A Better Title.  It's the album you want, if you could only buy one of their albums.  They are a superior live band.  Wilco's studio efforts are good, but they really come alive on stage.

"You Are My Face"


"Side With The Seeds"


We now have come to Wilco's most recent album, Wilco (The Album).  Which as a huge fan, I have yet to buy.  I know, I know, but due to having very little ducats, it is what it is.  So, I don't have a great knowledge of the album, like I do, most of the others.  I asked around the office here and nobody seems to have heard too much of it either.  Strange how that works.  I do like what I've heard from it so far.

"You And I (with Feist)"


"Wilco (The Song)"


There we have a short overview of one of my favorite bands.  They just make very ear pleasing music.  They are very prolific, to the point where most of the members have side projects.  As usual, I have just touched the surface with this band.  Please go out and explore for yourselves.  If you liked what you've heard here, there is no way you will be disappointed.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Listening To You - Wilco Part 1 (The Jay Bennett Years)

One of the two bands to form from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo.  Jay Farrar, formed the other band, Son Volt.  Wilco has had many members throughout their run.  The only originals remaining are; bassist John Stirratt and singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeff Tweedy.  Their current lineup has been one of the steadiest they've had and quite possibly, the best.

My initial exposure to Wilco was in watching the documentary, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco.  Which is a fantastic movie about the workings of a band trying to record an album (which would become, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) and how the music business works.  Warner Brothers, would drop Wilco from it's roster after they completed the album, but give the band it's master tapes (unheard of), so they could shop the album to another record label.  Then, Wilco would go on to sign with the record label, Nonesuch, which is a subsidiary of, Warner Brothers.  So, Warner Brothers paid for the same album...twice.  That's the music business for you. 

I'm going to start with their second album, Being There.  It's where I truly believe the band we see now, really started.  Here's a couple from that double album, also, major balls to make your second album, a double record.

"I Got You (At The End Of The Century)"

"Far, Far Away"

Our next album is called Summerteeth.  Jay Bennett, who was brought into the band for Being There, really put his stamp on this album.  To go along with him knowing how to play every instrument ever invented, practically.  He was a very respected producer.  The album has a darker tone and Jeff's lyrics were getting stronger.

"A Shot In The Arm"

"I'm Always In Love"


We've come upon the crossroads that is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  By the end of this album, Wilco would've been dropped and picked up by the same record label, Jay Bennett would be fired after trying to take over control of the album and they would unknowingly have their biggest selling and most critically acclaimed release to date.  Jeff Tweedy, would start being recognized as one of the great songwriters of our time.

"Jesus, Etc."


"Heavy Metal Drummer"


This completes the first part of Listening To You - Wilco.  I had to divide it up, because there's so many great and amazing songs.  Also, the eras are like two completely different bands, with Jay Bennett and without him.  Jay Bennett would release five solo albums after he left Wilco.  He would die from an accidental overdose of the painkiller, Fentanyl.  He needed a hip replacement and was self-medicating due to not being able to afford health insurance.  He was a really great musician.

Listening To You - Soul Asylum

 

I'm kind of overwhelmed on where to start with this band.  Soul Asylum is one of those bands that can do no wrong in my eyes.  They went from being the "junior" band on the Minnesota scene to one of the biggest and most successful bands around, at least for a couple of years.  They have had a lot of turnover in the band, especially with drummers.  Karl Mueller, their longtime bass player, lost his battle with throat cancer in 2005.  Through all of that, Dave Pirner and Dan Murphy have managed to soldier on and continually put out good solid music nearly 30 years after they began.

My first exposure to Soul Asylum was their 1988 album, Hang Time.  Here are a couple from that incredibly underrated record.

"Marionette"

 

"Sometime To Return"

Now we'll move a couple years forward to their breakout.  Why it took so long, I'll never know?  Just another mystery of the music business.  Their amazing 1992 album, Grave Dancers Union.  Not a bad song on it.

"Somebody To Shove"

"Black Gold"

The outstanding singer songwriter, Victoria Williams was diagnosed with MS in 1993.  Soul Asylum and a bunch of other bands, recorded her songs and put out a benefit album for her, because she didn't have health insurance.  The album is called Sweet Relief, pick it up if you ever see it, really fantastic.  This is one of the songs from that album.

"Summer Of Drugs"

Summer Of Drugs @ Yahoo! Video

 The last song on my little snapshot of Soul Asylum's career is "Misery" from the 1995 album, Let Your Dim Light Shine.



This profile barely touches on what has been an outstanding career in music.  Dave Pirner's songwriting is really top notch.  He comes up with imagery and strings words together that make you wish you wrote the song.  They aren't a grunge band, like so many people wanted to label them back in the early 90's.  Not knowing they had been together since the early 80's, predating grunge by almost a decade.  If you own nothing by them, then what are you waiting for.  Hang Time and Grave Dancers Union, are must haves for any music listener/collector.  

Listening To You 3

My tastes in music are generally obscure and/or not what the general public consider popular.  I don't listen to the music of the masses, so to speak.  That isn't to say what I favor isn't good music, in fact, I think it's better than most of the processed, auto-tuned stuff you hear on popular radio.  You may not have heard of the people I focus on, because I tend to root for the underdog.  The artist or band that is working and struggling just to have a career.  Needless to say I'll never profile someone from American Idol.

Aimee Mann formed 'Til Tuesday in the early 80's while she was attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  Just six months after formation, they won the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble (the band I was associated with, won in 1997, just so you know).  'Til Tuesday probably has had more hits, but Aimee has really come into her own as a solo artist.  She was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy for her work on the movie, Magnolia.

I really don't know why Aimee Mann isn't a bigger star than she is?  Well, I do, but I'm trying to keep this positive, so I won't get into it.  All I ask is to listen and if you like it, purchase her music.  This is my request for every band or artist I profile.
 

"Coming Up Close" is probably my favorite 'Til Tuesday song.


"Voices Carry" was their big hit.


"Save Me" which lost the Oscar to Phil Collins and his monkey love song, Aimee's words...not mine.

"Freeway" is from her last album, @#%&*! Smilers (pronounced Fucking Smilers)

Please check her out, she's a phenomenally talented singer-songwriter.  The way I like to learn about "new" music is to, listen to it, if I like it, I explore it, if I still like it...I buy it. 

Listening To You 2

I've been thinking about "you," the audience, and how I can get more of "you."  Then it hit me...I'll write about RUSH!  Granted, this will probably have the reverse effect and alienate the 7 readers I currently have.  They are out there..."Hugs and hand pounds" for my silent supporters.  Sorry, I went Stuart Scott on you, I'll never do it again.

RUSH is quite possibly the "most popular cult band in the world."  Does that make sense?  They don't have hit singles.  In fact, I remember listening to RUSH on Rockline when I was in high school about 20 years ago.  I know I'm old and unhip, why do you think I'm talking about RUSH?  The host asked Neil Peart about a possible greatest hits album and Neil's response was, "Why?  It would be Tom Sawyer side 1 and on side 2, Tom Sawyer."  Of course, for fans of the band...that is very far from the truth.  They have a very large and loyal following.  RUSH does everything for their fans.  In fact this current tour, they are playing one of their most popular albums in it's entirety.  Moving Pictures is that good kids, one those albums you must hear before you die.

I think a lot of the attention that has been almost mystically thrown their way recently, is a push to get them nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Music television channels Palladia and VH1 Classic both have played the documentary Beyond The Lighted Stage quite a bit.  VH1 Classic also had two days of "RUSH-ashanah," playing the aforementioned documentary, classic albums series and the RUSH in RIO concert.  I'm all for it.  They might not be for everyone, but why would you listen to a band that everyone listens to?  I've never understood that.  Don't you want something that you and a close group of friends can have for yourselves?  I give you Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart...RUSH.

There you have 4 songs representing 4 decades of music from RUSH.  No band is together this long without being exceptional. 

Listening To You

The music business is incredibly hard to succeed at.  I've always felt that it's a lowest common denominator thing.  Meaning you have to have something for everyone, so people will buy your music and put your singles on the charts.  So you can get famous, make lots of money and be on MTV.  No wait, they don't play music videos anymore.  Ok then...VH1...no they don't do it either.  Forget it, where was I?

Then there are some of us that don't listen to that music, because it's...ummm...crap.  Some bands...in fact most bands...create music, because they have to.  It's in their DNA...they were born to do it.  These are the bands we are devoted to and love.  We own all their albums and see every show we can.  These are the bands that should be huge, but never will be...sadly.  Maybe they'll be huge in Belgium, right Cliff.

 One of the bands that should be huge is Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.  I've just recently gotten into this band and have yet to hear a bad song.  This is what pop music should sound like.  It's original...not the same cookie cutter stuff "they" tell you is good.  Strong melodies, lyrics and musicians that can play their instruments.  Don't take my word for it...watch the videos and then follow the link to buy all their albums.  Seriously...ENJOY!!!







I'm always looking for "New Music To Me."  If there is anything you want to suggest, please do.  Cheers!!