Wilco Poetics

I think music reviews are one of the lowest forms of art. Most follow some leader and others are just personal vilifications at best and whim at worst. So it would be unwise for me to say anything here about Wilco’s new CD A Ghost is Born. Furthermore, considering that I’ve only listened to less than one-half of the music, saying anything at all would be premature if not foolish.

That said, let me say this. It ain’t no Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. And I’m one of the minority who thinks that’s a good thing. Now that the boy genius Jay Bennett is gone, Jeff Tweedy can go his own way again (which might be a downright scary thing for a Midwest boy used to playing with boy wonders like Jay Farrar.) And that way, in this CD, ok the first five songs of this CD, seems to be a searching one, which leads me to believe it’s only transitional music but I like it.

Gone is that layered fabrication that led the critics to praise YHF for its artistry. Instead I hear the guitar (and piano in one song so far) up front and considerable, and a rhythm section that helps you believe in the music even if it wanders a bit. There are shades of Jimi. Paul McCartney shows up for a reprise of Sergeant Pepper; who’s that on piano? Nicky Hopkins? Even Uncle Tupelo makes a cameo appearance. Did somebody invite Neil Young circa Rockin in the Free World? Deep Purple? Nah! But thank God Radiohead went home. And Wilco is back.

from Spiders (Kidsmoke)

This recent rash of kidsmoke
All these telescopic poems
It's good to be alone

Why can't they say what they want
Why can't they just say what they mean
Come clean, listen and talk
Hello private callers, IDs blocked

[So Pareles did I get that right?]