While reading Maureen Dowd's column today, I laughed. Afterwards, I was kinda sad, because I can't fathom why this guy is still so damned popular.
In search of more politically charged levity, I ambled over to Eric Alterman's fantastic blog, and I stumbled across this cool link to a history of controversial rock records called "Gallery of the Forbidden." Check out the cover of the "Five Keys" doo-wop album from 1957 to see an strategically placed finger make a decidedly phallic appearance.
Also, if you git on over to the official Wilco website, you'll probably notice a couple things, like: 1. That front page photo is really striking, for some reason. 2. Hey! I can listen to the entire new Wilco album before it's released in stores on June 22!
And listen you should. The album is substantially different from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", but still good. Really, really good. The most notable YHF departure I picked up on is the return of a playful Jeff Tweedy - while listening to "The Late Greats," I was reminded of "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" from "Being There" and "Casino Queen" from "A.M." There's a frivolity in the lyrics and in Tweedy's voice, much like on those early albums, and it serves as nice antidote to the vicodin fog and ambient ennui of YHF. Musically, there's a warmth on this album that I'm not sure I've heard from Wilco before - bumblebee-fat bass lines and near-gospel piano riffs make for a rather cozy listening experience.
Anyways, I could be wrong. I've only listened to it once, and these Wilco albums have a habit of unfolding on you in surprising ways.
In search of more politically charged levity, I ambled over to Eric Alterman's fantastic blog, and I stumbled across this cool link to a history of controversial rock records called "Gallery of the Forbidden." Check out the cover of the "Five Keys" doo-wop album from 1957 to see an strategically placed finger make a decidedly phallic appearance.
Also, if you git on over to the official Wilco website, you'll probably notice a couple things, like: 1. That front page photo is really striking, for some reason. 2. Hey! I can listen to the entire new Wilco album before it's released in stores on June 22!
And listen you should. The album is substantially different from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", but still good. Really, really good. The most notable YHF departure I picked up on is the return of a playful Jeff Tweedy - while listening to "The Late Greats," I was reminded of "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" from "Being There" and "Casino Queen" from "A.M." There's a frivolity in the lyrics and in Tweedy's voice, much like on those early albums, and it serves as nice antidote to the vicodin fog and ambient ennui of YHF. Musically, there's a warmth on this album that I'm not sure I've heard from Wilco before - bumblebee-fat bass lines and near-gospel piano riffs make for a rather cozy listening experience.
Anyways, I could be wrong. I've only listened to it once, and these Wilco albums have a habit of unfolding on you in surprising ways.