nice: Wilco and Fleet Foxes

"I Shall Be Released"

Two of my favorites bands covering one of my all time favorite songs. Thanks to Steregoum for making Monday morning quite pleasent. Oh shit, it's Tuesday.

we saw: Wilco

"Its Hot In The Poor Places Tonight"
(Photo by Mystic Childz)
The Wilco show at McCarren Pool on Wednesday was a prime example of a band maturing, aging with grace and being 'total pro's.' Not only was the venerable machine well oiled, but the band, more powerful than ever, delivers a genuine rock and roll show without any of the pretense often associated with indie rock (and Brooklyn). Of course, comedian Jeff Tweedy got into the mix, asking "Are you all too cool to clap?! Would it be better if we add the "Love Will Tear Us Apart" drum beat to it?!" The audience took the jab as best it could, and turned the standard crowd clap to new levels, adding a second beat and turning the whole thing on its side. Then Tweedy called us a bunch of "free thinkers." It was funny, but some people didn't take it in stride. Regardless, the sold out show delivered American rock and roll of the highest quality, especially during rhythmic machine that is "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" (which featured the clapping), and the triple guitar assault on Sky Blue Sky rocker "Impossible Germany." Twas also great to hear a couple off the criminally under rated Summerteeth and to finally hear Glenn tear up "Heavy Metal Drummer" (picture below). Check out a great video of "Poor Places" from the McCarren Pool show below.


Wilco 8/13/08 McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NY

Via Chicago
Blood of the lamb (w/ clarinet)
You are my face
Hummingbird
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
A shot in the arm
Side with the seeds
Misunderstood
Far far away
Impossible Germany
Pieholden suite (w/ total pros)
California stars (w/ total pros)
Handshake drugs
Pot kettle black
Poor places >
Spiders (kidsmoke)

encore 1
Jesus, etc.
Can't stand it (w/ total pros)
Hate it here (w/ total pros)
Walken (w/ total pros)
I'm the man who loves you (w/ total pros)

encore 2
Heavy metal drummer
Late greats (w/ total pros)
Kingpin (w/ total pros)
Monday (w/ total pros)
Outtasite (w/ total pros)
I'm a wheel

"Poor Places" Live at McCarren Pool, 8/13/08

Bobkast #11: Gonna See A Movie Called Gunga Din

"A Town Built on Black Gold & Iron Ore"

Nothing spells winter like a pair of carhart overalls and a thick ole flannel shirt. Throw a wool sweater on top of that, thick socks, duck boots, and a warm hat and your ready for a jaunt through the snow covered forests. A few great covers here, along with a preview of the M. Ward/Zooey Deschanel "She & Him" record, our favorite folkies (Karen Dalton & Joanna Newsome) and a new one by The Builders & The Butchers, who Bill the Butcher of Gangs of New York definitely would've loved.

Bobkast #11: Gonna See A Movie Called Gunga Din
Oakley Hall- Marine Life
Band of Horses- Plans (Grizzly Bear cover)
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irkglova- You Ain't Going Nowhere (Bob Dylan cover)
Karen Dalton- Katie Cruel
Joanna Newsome & the Ys Street Band- Colleen
The Builders & The Butchers- Black Dresses
Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris- Return of the Grievous Angel
Blitzen Trapper- Country Caravan
Silver Jews- Friday Night Fever
M. Ward- When I Get to the Border (w/ Zooey Deschanel) {Richard & Linda Thompson cover}
Willie Nelson & Calexico- Senor (Bob Dylan cover)
Wilco- True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston cover)

Bobkast #11: Gonna See A Movie Called Gunga Din {direct link; right click, or option, to download}

best beieve da hype: Blitzen trapper

"Join that Wild Mountain Nation/ You Can, You Can"

Psychadelic angels Blitzen Trapper have been receiving alot of praise for their new record Wild Mountain Nation. And while hype can prove both positive and negative for a young band, these scruffy gypsy bums from Portland are living up to it, and I mean L-I-V-I-N. No need to dismiss Blitzen Trapper as a Pitchfork branded flava of the week (8.5). Wild Mountain Nation is a platform for the 24-track loving, caravaning, jingle janglers to show off their righteous melodies, broken-jawed arrangements and kick-ass chops, proven on gems like "Wild Mountain Nation", "Future & Folly" and "Summer Town". The twangy pop of "Country Caravan" opens with a woozy pedal steel guitar riff reminiscent of the Shins "Gone for Good," and reveals why the Portland sextet has garnered comparisons to the Grateful Dead's country exploits (think "Dire Wolf"). "Sci-Fi Kid" invokes Bowie, Mellow Gold-era Beck and retro synths in a rapturous cornucopia of new-wavey rock. Always one to keep it interesting, the boys Blitzen follow "Sci- Fi Kid" with a hushed, lo-fi harmonica fueled bluegrass stomper ("Wild Mtn. Jam). These guys have a knack for rockin, whacked out alt-country, albeit an obscured, oddball's interpretation of Nashville's claim to fame. Like a cake with early-
Wilco frosting, Neutral Milk Hotel sprinkles and Gram Parsons-era Flying Burrito Brothers gumdrops. They can rock all bluesy like Exile/Sticky Fingers-era Stones and harmonize like the stoned Beach Boys. A unique, musical representation of dirty cowboy boots, paisley handkerchief neckties, day-glo face paint and the summer sun setting on the forest.

Blitzen Trapper- Sci-Fi Kid
Blitzen Trapper- Country Caravan

With a Sky Blue Sky...

"So Happy to Leave What Was Our Home..."

I fell in love with Sky Blue Sky from the second the needle hit the wax. This shouldn't come as a surprise as Wilco has been one of the only bands I've consistently listened to for the past 11 years. Like telling someone you love them, one must be both cautious and full of conviction when deciding a band is your favorite, as they could easily break your heart with a string of shitty records. And after years of toiling over the question, I couldn't be happier that I dubbed Wilco "My Favorite Band." For me, with Wilco, it just felt right. And it still does. Growing up with Wilco has been like having a best friend who always understands, regardless of the problem. You put the record on, and suddenly all other concerns are drowned out, and everything is a-ok.

With that in mind I was quite miffed about some of the negative press Sky Blue Sky (someone called it "Dad Rock") received for not being Yankee Hotel Foxtrot II. As far as I'm concerned, the past is the past. Why remake what you've already mastered, when you can move on into uncharted territory. There is no doubt in my mind that they have stayed true to their artistic vision but more importantly, it feels as if they've finally found a home, not just a house, but a comfortable space for all the subtle nuances of their sound, where everything is in its right place. Anyway Sky Blue Sky is an incredible record and this description, from You Ain't No Picasso, sums it up perfectly. "Dad Rock" never sounded this good:

The best / weirdest thing about Sky Blue Sky is that for all its melancholy ways, it still manages to be downright uplifting. If you ever find yourself in need of a mix tape to explain life lessons to a child, or carry an inspiring message to someone hurting, you can fill your cup at Wilco’s well. “What Light” and “Either Way” carry a truth we pick up as kids, but seem to need to relearn at every turn as adults: soldier on. Bad things happen, but you pick yourself up and carry on.

Having a tough time? No need for a shrink, just buy Sky Blue Sky.


"What Light" live from the Loft

Rock-Chalk-Jayhawks!

Before Wilco...there was Uncle Tupelo. Before Uncle Tupelo, there wasn't much of Alt-Country as we know it. But don't tell that to Jayhawks frontman, Gary Louris. Uncle Tupelo's breakthrough debut album, No Depression, is often credited as the beginning of alt-country. The Jayhawks first two albums actually precede No Depression, released in 1988 and 1989.

In 1992 The Jayhawks released their major label debut , Hollywood Town Hall, which built on the unpolished country-rock of their first two albums. Hollywood Town Hall became the Jayhawks's first success, and, 15 years later, still holds its own as one of the finest albums in alt-country's short history.

While The Jayhawks are on an uber-ambiguous(infinite?) hiatus, Louris has been busy with the alt-country supergroup Golden Smog(above), which formerly included Wilco mastermind Jeff Tweedy (second from left, looking very creepy).

from Hollywood Town Hall (1992):
The Jayhawks - Wichita
The Jayhawks - Crowded in the Wings

from Down By the Old Mainstream (1995):
Golden Smog - Radio King

I'm the Man Who Loves You Jeff Tweedy

"With a Sky Blue Sky"


Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. For my money there truly hasn't been a better source of creative American music for the past ten plus years than the music of one Jeff Tweedy. From his early work with Uncle Tupelo, to his grand experiments in studio aesthetics with Wilco, Mr. Tweedy has never disappointed. There is no doubt that his work with Wilco has become so mesmerizing, enchanting and cathartic that the band has been elevated to the ridiculous level of artists/bands who can do no wrong (Beatles, Radiohead, ABBA). One of the most staggering things about his musical accomplishments is that he has produced inspiring music in many different veins, collaborating with a wide variety of artists, from Jim O'Rourke to Ian Hunter, to Billy Bragg and contributing to countless side projects, including Loose Fur (w/ O'Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche) and the supergroup Golden Smog (members of Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Wilco, Big Star and The Jayhawks).

Fortunately for us, Wilco will be releasing their new record, Sky Blue Sky, on May 15th on Nonesuch Records. The album, which is classic American rock and roll at its finest, features 12 tracks showcasing Tweedy's timeless song writing and some superbly intricate guitar work from axe-man Nels Cline. No doubt this album comes just in time for summer road trips down dusty highways, where it is sure to find a home. You can listen to the entire record here. Below you can download the lead single "What Light" for free.

Also for your aural enjoyment, we've chosen to share a few phenomenal live tracks culled from fine solo performances. The first few come from a benefit show Jeff did at the Vic Theatre for Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, which treated Jeff's son for Kawasaki Disease. The other batch comes from a different benefit performance he did for the "Letters to Santa" organization. Both feature stripped down acoustic versions of classic Wilco and Uncle Tupelo songs, as well as some rarities, covers and some a bunch of other "good stuff."

And all the way at the very bottom of the post you can find a stunning version of 'The Thanks I Get', featured in the recent Jeff Tweedy solo dvd, Sunken Treasure. If you haven't seen the film yet, do yourself a favor. Highly Recommended.

Wilco- What Light From the forthcoming Sky Blue Sky

Jeff Tweedy- I Can't Keep From Talking ("Living Room" show 4/8/06) A Golden Smog song, one of the numerous side projects Tweedy participates in.

Jeff Tweedy- The Ruling Class ("Living Room" show 4/8/06)A showcase for Tweedy's impeccable story telling, this track features a funny tale which connects Tweedy and "King of the Hill."

Jeff Tweedy- I'm Beginning to See the Light ("Living Room" show 4/8/06) Solo acoustic version of this Harry James song from an intimate performance at the Hotel S n' S in Chicago.

Jeff Tweedy- The Laminated Cat (w/ Glenn Kotche) Personally, I think this is the definitive version of this Loose Furs song. 3/5/2005 Vic Theatre, Chicago.

Jeff Tweedy- I Shall Be Released The encore from the Vic Theatre show 5/8/2005. This homage to the Band couldn't be a more fitting show closer. Right on.

Pictures from one of the Tweedy "Living Room" shows