Post by snowfyre on Sept 14, 2016 12:45:22 GMT
New album out from Jeff Tweedy and Wilco last week. (If it's "dad rock," it must be for me - w00t!) I've seen critics express disappointment in Wilco, based (apparently) on the band's descent from its Yankee Hotel Foxtrot artistic height. Fortunately for me, while I like YHF, it was Tweedy's songwriting and acoustic performances I fell in love with years ago** - and it's the songwriting that keeps me coming back for more. By that measure the new record, Schmilco, does not disappoint. It's a good, relatively low-key album - though you should skip the track "Common Sense" if you're looking for easy-listening. (That one will put you on edge.) And like much "alternative" indie rock - and certainly typical of Tweedy, who's been through some shit - the lyrics tend to be more depressing than the music. Tweedy himself describes this album as "joyously negative:"
(Okay, Jeff. Whatever. )
Anyway. As usual there are some lyrical turns that I enjoy. The song "We Are Not The World (Safety Girl)" got a chuckle:
**Re: the songwriting and acoustic performances... my first introduction to Tweedy came when a friend passed on a set of MP3s from Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest . Still love it.
“I think this record is ‘joyously negative.' It’s sad in a lot of ways but not in any that reach a conclusion of doom or hopelessness. I just had a lot of fun being sour about the things that upset me.”
-- Jeff Tweedy
-- Jeff Tweedy
(Okay, Jeff. Whatever. )
Anyway. As usual there are some lyrical turns that I enjoy. The song "We Are Not The World (Safety Girl)" got a chuckle:
Have you seen any mention?
It's been quiet in detention... all week.
Is that so?
I saw the winter party person
candidate give a sermon... Shook his fists. (Like this.)
Is that so?
And everyone sat as blank as a cake
And in love like a stupid lump of clay.
Is that so?
I know a good Armageddon
might have made my day... that day.
Is that so?
We aren't the world.
We aren't the children.
But you are my safety... girl.
Etc...
It's been quiet in detention... all week.
Is that so?
I saw the winter party person
candidate give a sermon... Shook his fists. (Like this.)
Is that so?
And everyone sat as blank as a cake
And in love like a stupid lump of clay.
Is that so?
I know a good Armageddon
might have made my day... that day.
Is that so?
We aren't the world.
We aren't the children.
But you are my safety... girl.
Etc...
**Re: the songwriting and acoustic performances... my first introduction to Tweedy came when a friend passed on a set of MP3s from Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest . Still love it.