A Ghost Is Born [Enhanced]
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The infectious twang and pop hooks of Wilco's former efforts may be fading fast, but A Ghost Is Born is still a rewarding effort that demands repeated listening. The group's fifth album extends upon the experimentalism of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with angular, blues-soaked guitar riffs ("At Least That's What You Said," "Hell Is Chrome"), a handful of sparse, yet catchy tunes (smack dab in the middle of the disc) that will surely keep college radio stations smiling, and a lengthy track that descends into mere static ("Less Than You Think"). Frontman Jeff Tweedy's songwriting continues to evolve: "Hummingbird" is a dreamy Randy Newman-styled love song; "The Late Greats" is a sly ode to the world of pop tacked onto the end of the album (as if using such a fun song on this understated disc was an afterthought). Meanwhile, producer extraordinaire Jim O'Rourke manages to make the most complicated arrangements here sound minimalist and laid-back. All told, it's another great addition to the Wilco canon. --Jason Verlinde --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
A Ghost Is Born, Music, Wilco, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Experimental Rock, Indie Rock, Pop, Rock, United States of America
Average customer rating:
- hell is chrome
- (Catchy line)
- stop the noise!!
- Kind of hard to warm up to...
- One of my favorite albums ever
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A Ghost Is Born
Wilco
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
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Similar Items:
- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
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- Sky Blue Sky
ASIN: B00020P7TM
Release Date: 2004-06-22 |
Tracks:
- At Least That's What You Said
- Hell Is Chrome
- Spiders (Kidsmoke)
- Muzzle Of Bees
- Hummingbird
- Handshake Drugs
- Wishful Thinking
- Company In My Back
- I'm A Wheel
- Theologians
- Less Than You Think
- The Late Greats
Amazon.com
The infectious twang and pop hooks of Wilco's former efforts may be fading fast, but A Ghost Is Born is still a rewarding effort that demands repeated listening. The group's fifth album extends upon the experimentalism of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with angular, blues-soaked guitar riffs ("At Least That's What You Said," "Hell Is Chrome"), a handful of sparse, yet catchy tunes (smack dab in the middle of the disc) that will surely keep college radio stations smiling, and a lengthy track that descends into mere static ("Less Than You Think"). Frontman Jeff Tweedy's songwriting continues to evolve: "Hummingbird" is a dreamy Randy Newman-styled love song; "The Late Greats" is a sly ode to the world of pop tacked onto the end of the album (as if using such a fun song on this understated disc was an afterthought). Meanwhile, producer extraordinaire Jim O'Rourke manages to make the most complicated arrangements here sound minimalist and laid-back. All told, it's another great addition to the Wilco canon. --Jason Verlinde
Customer Reviews:
hell is chrome.......2007-05-22
Want to understand this album? Listen to the words to Hell is Chrome. Reviewers complaining about droning white noise, words that don't make sense, "incompetently played" guitar solos ---- It's all spelled out for you in Hell is Chrome. If you don't understand it then you need to choose something easier to listen to. Something that makes sense immediately. Something that doesn't challenge you. Something that doesn't make you wonder. Something that doesn't make you think. Please enjoy your own chrome plated hell.
This album is a masterpiece. It's simple, beautiful, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Yes, even Less Than You Think - all 15 minutes of it. Maybe if you actually _listen_ to the intro of that song, you can at least try to understand why there are 12 minutes of noise. There isn't a single piece on this album that isn't exactly the way it's supposed to be.
Good job, Wilco.
(Catchy line).......2007-04-19
Yeah, just as pretty much everyone else has said, this one is a creeper. It took me awhile to really get into their groove on this record. The goods are there, I guess it depends on how you listen to it. What really made me go back a give this record another try was hearing their live album. Theologians, Company in my Back and Hand Shake drugs are really great songs.
stop the noise!!.......2007-04-05
I love this CD but the 'noise' at the end of some of the songs really takes so much away from the overall groove. I've recommended and have played a few of the tracks for friends and always mention--'the end of this track is a disaster and will grate on your nerves!' When I play the CD I always skip -to-the-next song when the distorted mess comes up. So much potential in the CD itself. Hopefully WILCO will become enlightened and lose the nails on chalkboard endings.
Kind of hard to warm up to..........2007-02-27
I am not what you would call a die hard Wilco fan. I do like their music though. While I have only had "a ghost is born" for a few days, I must agree with the reviewers that feel let-down the by the noise-making on this CD. Noise-making has its place, but usually (here included) it just doesn't bring me pleasure. Instead, it requires patience to listen until the end of a few of the tracks.
A previous review makes the analogy between this CD and the art of Andy Warhol. But I think that Tweedy works to create great meaning and emotion, while Warhol strove to vacate art of those attributes while meditating on fame. A better comparison would be bad Abstract Expressionism from the 50's, the kind of visual noise that must have seemed smart at the time, but also kind that no one wants to view any more.
Not to over emphasize the "noise" thing. It only happens on some of the songs, and several of the songs on the CD are pretty good. However, it just feels like Tweedy is putting some distance between himself and his earlier work, and his fans. So, like "Kid A" (love Radiohead, still can't stand Kid A) it could constitute a reaction, a break from the past. I just don't want to pay to hear a reaction.
The Grammy awards given to this CD should have be a yellow flag. Grammy winning CD's are rarely the best an artist has to offer. Often, Grammys are a belated nod to talent or driven by sales. However, I will keep listening - the CD is subtle and perhaps I just need time to appreciate it.
One of my favorite albums ever.......2007-02-13
Yep, that's right. Been a fan for a while, but this was the album in my opinion that launched them into the stratosphere of pop rock creative mastery. I'm only writing this review for all the naysayers. Yes this album doesn't have all the catchy hooks of his older albums, or the straight ahead rock twang feel, but guess what? Jeff Tweedy has evolved as a songwriter and musician and if you don't evolve too you'll keep listening to AM and think that's his peak. Sorry, but no way. I will add that it does take time to appreciate the subtle mastery of this album --- after casually listening to it for several months, I "discovered" it on a road trip through the Oregon desert. The scope and texture of this album is unlike any other I've heard, absolutely beautiful, rich, deep, poetic, melodic, creative, original, moving.... "Muzzle of Bees" and "Theologians" particularly. I guess it's personal, but I think that's their intent.
Average customer rating:
- A Real Treat!
- I LOVE IT!!!
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Movie Love Themes
Manufacturer: Telarc
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Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Beautiful Hollywood
- Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
- Classics of the Silver Screen
- Better Together: The Duet Album
- Cousins
ASIN: B000003CWT
Release Date: 1991-05-10 |
Tracks:
- Main Theme From On Golden Pond
- Unchained Melody From Ghost
- Sooner Or Later From Dick Tracy
- We're Losing Him From Somewhere In Time
- Love Theme From Flashdance
- Marion's Theme From Raiders Of The Lost Ark
- Evergreen From A Star Is Born
- Flashdance....What A Feeling
- People Alone From The Competition
- End Title From Shirley Valentine
- Arthur's Theme From Arthur
- The Last Time I Felt Like This From Same Time Next Year
- Love Theme From Cousins
- Waltz From Cousins
- Through The Eyes Of Love From Ice Castles
- End Title From Ghost
- Cavatina From The Deer Hunter
- The Way We Were
Customer Reviews:
A Real Treat!.......2007-02-16
As someone who works from home, this is a wonderful collection to put on during the day. The beautiful arrangements of some of film's most memorable music is a treat to listen to day in and day out. I was one of those looking for music from the "Cousins" soundtrack. I'm so much happier to have found this CD with more great music than I could've bargained for. I'm very glad to have this in my collection!
I LOVE IT!!!.......2005-09-11
I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE SOUNDTRACK OF COUSINS... I KNOW BUT HEY I LOVED THE MOVIE AND WHEN I REALIZE THAT THE SOUNDTRACK WAS BEEN ASK $120 I JUST WENT NUTS LOL LOL BUT I WENT ON MY SEARCH AND FOUND THIS GREAT GREAT GREAT CD, THAT HAS THE SONGS I WAS SEARCHING FOR AND MORE.
FOR EXAMPLE, CAVATINA FROM THE DEER HUNTER, HMM GREAT MOVIE AND GREAT SONG. AND LETS NOT FORGET THE WAY WE WERE, COME ON THAT IS A CLASSIC. AND ITS HAS THE THEME FROM THE MOVIE ON GOLDEN POND, ALSO UNCHAINED MELODY FROM THE MOVIE GHOST.
BUT WHAT TOOK MY OFF MY SIT WAS THE SONG *WE ARE LOOSING HIM, FROM THE MOVIE SOMEWHERE IN TIME. LOOK THIS IS A GREAT CD, AND IT IS WORTH ALL.
I HAVE ALL THE SONGS I EVER WANTED AND MORE. BELIEVE ME YOU ME, IT IS A GREAT BARGAIN. WONT BE DISSAPOINTED.
Average customer rating:
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A Ghost Is Born
Wilco
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
- A.M.
- Summerteeth
- Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
- Mermaid Avenue
ASIN: B0007NOKUG
Release Date: 2005-03-14 |
Tracks:
- At Least That's What You Said
- Hell Is Chrome
- Spiders (Kidsmoke)
- Muzzle of Bees
- Hummingbird
- Handshake Drugs
- Wishful Thinking
- Company in My Back
- I'm a Wheel
- Theologians
- Less Than You Think
- Late Greats
Tracks:
- Panthers [*]
- At Least That's What You Said [Live][*]
- Late Greats [Live][*]
- Handshake Drugs [Live][*]
- Kicking Television [*]
Album Description
Special limited edition release of the bands 2004 album (released to coincide with their European tour), adds a 4-track bonus disc featuring 'Panthers', 'At Least That's What You Said' (live), 'The Late Greats' (live), 'Handshake Drugs' (live) & 'Kicking Television. Nonesuch. 2005.
Customer Reviews:
Great... but hold off........2005-03-30
This album is one of Wilco's best, if not the best. But don't spend twice as much as you need to on this unless you are an avid collector. The bonus tracks can be attained via Wilco's website (www.wilcoworld.net) as a free EP if you own the basic version of the album.
That said... "Panthers" is one of Wilco's most interesting compositions and the live tracks are outstanding (as always). "Kicking Television" is an R.E.M. style rocker that is sure to please most Wilco fans.
But, for most of you, know that you'll get all of this for the same price as the original version of A Ghost is Born.
Average customer rating:
- A good memento of a time and place
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Riverside Years 2
Frank Swann
Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
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General
| Chamber Music
| Classical
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ASIN: B00007K26K
Release Date: 2003-01-07 |
Tracks:
- Once In Royal David's City
- Up! Good Christian
- The Lord At First
- The Holly & The Ivy
- Unto Us Is Born A Son
- Jesus Child
- The Hunter
- Mary's Lullaby
- What Is This Fragrance
- Come, Marie, Elisabette
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- To Bethlehem
Tracks:
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Puer Natus
- Torches
- Hush, My Dear
- Lo, The Messiah
- Mary Had A Baby
- Shepards, Shake Off
- Saw You Never
- Noel We Sing
- O Little Town Of Bethlehem
- Star Carol
- Love Came Down At Christmas
- Joy To The World
- All Glory, Laud, And Honor
- The Way To Jerusalem
- Choral Variations On 'Ah, Holy Jesus'
- O Vos Omnes
- The Joyful Eastertide
- Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
- Christ Our Passover
Tracks:
- Praise To The Lord
- The Lord's My Shepard
- Ye Holy Angels Bright
- Fairest Lord Jesus
- Praise The Lord! Ye Heavens
- Our God, Our Help
- God That Madest Earth & Heaven
- From All That Dwell
- My Song Shall Be Alway
- Come, Holy Ghost
- There Is A Balm In Gilead
- Let Us With A Gladsom Mind
- Prologue To The 'Apostles'
- Festival Te Deum
- Evening Hymn
Customer Reviews:
A good memento of a time and place.......2005-09-21
As a young singer I participated in most of these recordings, so it's a bit hard to be objective. The most successful segments are those on the "Lessons and Carols" disc, recorded in May of 1981. John Walker's organ accompaniments are subtle and beautifully voiced; as a result the choral singing they accompany is consistent, beautifully blended and in tune. The readings, particularly the reading and prayer from William Sloane Coffin, are wonderful to hear again.
The rest, recorded in 1978 and 1979, are much less successful. There is much oversinging, even screaming, in the louder choral passages, the choral sound in general is "woofy", not very in tune and unblended, in the fashion of much choral singing of the time, and the organ playing of Swann and McDonald as accompaniment is consistently too loud, even ugly in tone. The only articulate and beautiful playing on these earlier recordings is that of the late organist and harpsichordist Jerry Brainard, and he participates in only two selections! These recordings were made with three microphones, a stereo pair at the front and one at the back for ambience, in the dry acoustic Riverside had at the time (it has since been "corrected" to a soupy overreverberance), so microphoning was not the problem. This is a good represntation of the way this sounded at the time, according to listeners in the congregation.
Also, as was true of the original LP releases, the stereo image on the earlier recordings is reversed: left is right and right is left. I'm surprised that this error was not caught and corrected in the digital transfer. Much of the analog tape noise has been eliminated, but there is still quite a bit of audio distortion in the louder portions. On my copy, the CD's had some trackinig difficulties, even on a new player.
Average customer rating:
- Of great historical interest to G&S fans
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Arthur Sullivan Sesquicentenial, Vol.2
Manufacturer: Symposium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Sullivan
| Sullivan, Arthur
| ( S )
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ASIN: B000001XX2
Release Date: 1996-10-01 |
Customer Reviews:
Of great historical interest to G&S fans.......1999-06-03
I've got it into my head somehow that the older a recording is, the closer it brings me to the original intentions of the composer. Walter Passmore's singing voice is 1 on a 1-to-10 scale...but oh what style he has! Gilbert always insisted that his words be heard and understood (hear that, ye modern singers who mumble into mikes?) and Passmore's enunciation is perfect. Workman had a far better singing voice, but he takes a good deal of liberties here and there. Still most people who will purchase this disc already own, no doubt, more modern recordings; and this one will take us on a time-trip back towards (though not quite to) the Victorian days that drew Gilbert's barbs and inspired Sullivan's melodies. And don't forget to look at Volume 1.
Average customer rating:
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Wolff: Organ Works
Manufacturer: Herald
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00000JD92
Release Date: 1999-06-29 |
Tracks:
- Fant And Fugue in D
- Advent Chorale
- Prld: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Trio: Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending
- Prld On The Somerset Carol
- Chorale Partita: Unto Us Is Born A Song
- Chorale On A Melody By Orlando Gibbons
- Prld: Our Father, Which Art In Heaven
- Nocturne
- Prld: Come, Holy Ghost
- Prld: Most Ancient Of All Mysteries
- Processional
- Adagio And Fugue On 'Liebster Immanuel'
- Chorale: O Sacred Head Sore Wounded
- Fanfare For Easter Day
- Processional: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
- Trio: At The Lamb's High Feast
- Chorale Partita: Christ The Lord Is Risen Again
- Carillon (Hommage A Mulet Et Vierne)
Average customer rating:
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Ghost Is Born
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B0002IVRTS
Release Date: 2004-06-22 |
Average customer rating:
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Early Monodic and Polyphonic Chants
Manufacturer: Russian Season
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Sacred & Religious
| Early Music
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| Classical
| Styles
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Vocal & Song
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| Styles
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Chants
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
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ASIN: B000003HXY
Release Date: 1995-06-13 |
Tracks:
- Come, Bow Down - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Be Joyous, Virgin - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- You Who Were Dressed In Light - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- In You All Creatures Rejoice - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Christ Is Born - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Lord, I Call You - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Peaceful Light - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- May My Prayer Rise To You - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- I Shall Drink From The Chalice Of Redemption - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Trisagion - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Magnificat - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Ave Maria - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Glorification Of The Nativity Of The Blessed Virgin - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Glorification Of The Nativity Of Christ - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Sticheron - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Long Life To Tsar Peter I - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Praise The Lord - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Chant About The Separation Of The Soul From The Body - Valentina Gueorguievskaia/Ekaterina Zotova
- Woe Is Me - Valentina Gueorguievskaia/Ekaterina Zotova
- Commemoration Chant - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Lamentation Of Joseph - Andrei Kotov
- The Passion Of Christ - Andrei Kotov
- For The Descent Of The Holy Ghost - Sirin Chor/Andrei Kotov
- Joy Of The Celestial Forces - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Glorious Miracle - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- My Soul Praise The Lord - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
- Happy Is The Man - Male Chor 'Drevnerousski Rospev'/Anatoly Grindenko
Average customer rating:
- Huh? What? What time is it?
- Ok, Tweedy lost me here...
- A gem is Born
- Woah.
- Terrific Album
|
A Ghost Is Born
Wilco
Manufacturer: Wea Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Indie Rock
| Indie & Lo-Fi
| Alternative Rock
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ASIN: B00020H8WQ
Release Date: 2004-07-05 |
Tracks:
- At Least That's What You Said
- Hell Is Chrome
- Spiders
- Muzzle of Bees
- Hummingbird
- Handshake Drugs
- Wishful Thinking
- Company in My Back
- I'm a Wheel
- Theologians
- Less Than You Think
- Late Greats
- Kicking Television
Customer Reviews:
Huh? What? What time is it?.......2006-01-30
Oh, sorry... fell asleep again. That seems to happen every time I put this on. You know how everyone describes a CD by saying "this sounds like X crossed with Y?" Well, watch the 11:10PM weather forecast on a really small market local newscast (preferably where it snows a lot), then filter in a really boring AA meeting, and you'll have "A Ghost Is Born."
In many Wilco reviews, there are phrases like "takes a while to sink in" or "takes repeated listenings." That is what people say when they really mean "this sucks, but I'm going to force myself to like it, since everyone else does."
Ok, Tweedy lost me here..........2004-04-23
My only thoughts on this album are as follows:
1.) When did Jeff Tweedy turn into Damon Gough? I miss the rasp.
2.) COME BACK JAY BENNETT!!!! Wthout Jay to temper Jeff's musical ramblings, the album comes off sounding less like the typical Wilco magic, and more like Tweedy's bedroom 4-track solo project. With Damon Gough singing. ahem.
3.) The guitar work is gorgeous- at times, that is. Hearing Jeff shred it up Neil Young style in "Hell is Chrome" is truly a transcendent, beautiful moment. Doesn't make up for the rest of the tune (which, I might add, was better when Counting Crows did it- it was called "Long December"...), and in the end, sitting throught a whole tune for 12-20 seconds of guitar genius just gets stale.
4.) "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9!" .....Ummm... did I hear that right? Don't expect any lyrical genius here. Apparently, the sort of ethereal lyrical beauty of "Via Chicago" and "Ashes..." is a thing of the past.
I want my Wilco back.
A gem is Born.......2004-04-22
After the Beautiful and great release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, where can Wilco go to top themselves? In a Ghost they did not top themselves, but went a completely different direction that makes this record a gem on its own merits and stands alone away from the likes of summerteeth and Foxtrot. Where Foxtrot and Summerteeth were lush with overdubs and sounded full, Ghost is sparce and stripped down. On the previous records Wilco has used upbeat music to go with often times dark themes in the Lyrics, this time Wilco's music mirrors it's lyrical content.
The Album starts off with "Least that's what you Said" a beautiful piece with only the sounds of piano and guitar to go with Tweedys quiet and meloncoly voice. As the song progresses, it shocks you with a wall on noise only to drive you into a rocking exposition that leaves you only wanting more. Songs like Theologians and Hummingbird hark back to Foxtrot and Summerteeth with their poppy melodies and lavish production. Hell is chrome is a dark piece built around the barest of instrumentation yet when you hear it, it sounds like so much more is going on. Spiders(Kidsmoke) is one of the two songs on here that the majority of people will probably shy away from and skip most of the time. Spiders is actually a brilliant piece of work. A mix of classic rock riff with the sounds of electric beats. The guitar solos are a bit avant garde and hard to listen to at times, but definately a piece worth taking notice at. Less than you think is another one. This is a beautiful ballad that ends with 10 minutes or so of "white noise". while many will find this to be an artistic statement, it comes off more as over self indulgence.
Overall, this is yet another strong outing for one of the best bands to come out of the past 10 years. For me, this was an album I had to hear a couple of times to get into, but once I did, and got what was going on in it, it became an instant love for me.
Woah........2004-04-22
Woah, its gonna be one hell of a summer. Gonna see Wilco once Jeff Tweedy gets out of rehab (doh) at Bonnaroo. Gonna be one hell of a show too, if they play everything from the amazing summer album "A Ghost Is Born". I think the expectations after YHF have poised this album on a pedestal for some; for others who didn't like YHF at all and want them headed back to their roots it could be either re-affirmation of their demise or a revival. I know, I'm in the former category, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was one of my fav albums of all time, but there were some people rumored to exist that felt otherwise ;) . But, it was SO good, it's like, what next? When I heard the tracklist, which includes "Handshake Drugs" from their "More Like the Moon" internet only EP, I was preparing the flames and bashing for Ghost with hand wringing glee. For sure, "Handshake Drugs" is a decent song, but I'm American damnit, I want an album that's better, faster, stronger, I want it all... and this song always felt like just an outtake off YHF that was the little brother of "Heavy Metal Drummer". Great for an EP, bad if the rest of the album follows those lines.
Well, those worries are over. The day has arrived (or, at least you can listen to the album in its entirety on their Candystations site), expectations are met, the sun is shining, and I officially declare the summer with its soundtrack to be upon us. Delivering not only the tracks we expect, some we don't but succeed none the less, but also expanding in some of the trippy YHF hints and even exploring a huge sonic dreamscape. Opening without flair or flash, dawn breaks with "At Least That's What You Said", a piano heavy with patented Tweedy lamenting. Nice way to wake up... but then the crunch of guitars enters jarring you, and then depositing you softly on soft keyboard and piano pillows while firing into the air with own Neil Young inspired skyrocket. Ok, awake now, and we settle into "Hell Is Chrome", a piano beauty evokes the Beatles, or maybe even some particular post Beatles work by the same. "Spiders (Kidsmoke)", the ten minute behemoth tweaks, jams, and rocks me until I collapse. I'm not ready for the rest of this. Those reverberating throwback psychedelic guitars that emerged teasingly in between the metronomic rhythm section...oh! "Muzzle of Bees" strips back some, and delivers some more acoustic and melodic relaxation, but don't worry the bridge has a little twang. "Hummingbird" has a feel similar to "Hell Is Chrome", but is even better to me, maybe more like The Turtles "So Happy Together". We won't discuss "Handshake Drugs" again. Time to cool down anyway, and right in the middle of the album "Wishful Thinking" does the trick. Refreshing, it begins with dreamy sound effects, keyboards, and cymbal rides almost in space music style. Leading into strumming guitar I can't help noting that the production and the way its placed together at the beginning remind me almost of some of the psychedelic aspects of Jerry Garcia's "Garcia" album. It finishes more like classic Wilco, and oh so well; this might be my favorite track it's so hard to pick. "Company in my Back" is enjoyable, but the energy really kicks back up on "I'm a Wheel" that is almost seventies rock in its construction. Seriously, between the lyrics, their deliver, the guitar... it has all the elements of rock from the seventies to the eighties. And it works! "Theologans" gets back to the more singer / songwriter stuff, and again we have something that could be a lost Paul Simon gem. Not that I thought it was possible, but night falls on the album as "Less Than You Think" eclipses the earlier behemoth clocks in at an epic 15:06. Much the way the show was closed on YHF with the gorgeous "Reservations", this track stretches out, develops slowly, but in the end is one of the most powerful album cuts. A huge spacey canvas that spots blips and bleeps of all assortments, this will fit right in with the Dead's space music at Bonnaroo! I'm out after that... I can't even stay up to review the closer "Late Greats". You'll have to check it out on your own. If you were hoping to return the Tupelo-ish roots, I'm sorry, by now you've probably regretted buying the record. But, if you were a true YHF fan, congrats, you have a new treasure in you collection.
Terrific Album.......2004-04-12
I haven't listened to the album enough times to really evaluate it but from the few times I have listened to it, its one of their best. I gave it 5 stars but I'd give that to any listenable Wilco album.
I love YHF but it took a while for it to really sink in. I liked AGIB immediately. Maybe because it has a more recognizable sound. Its nice to know Wilco can rock out when they want to.
I was worried that the band wouldn't be as good without Jay Bennett - especially considering how much I liked The Palace at 4 am. However, they went in a different direction. While Summerteeth and The Palace had a soft pop sound, this album goes for a harder edge sound. I'm almost glad Bennett left because now I can get two great albums every two years.
This album seems much more accessable to non Wilco fans than YHF-although probably not radio friendly. Highly recommended. Blast "At Lease That's What You Said" as loud as you can.
Music:
- Almost Up to the Sky
- ...And The Gods Made Wars.
- Anything Off The Bottom Shelf
- B Sides & Rarities
- Bands Across America
- Blues Resurgence [Explicit Lyrics]
- But The Girl's The Same
- Caveman
- Darkness and the Machine, Vol. II
- Deuce [Explicit Lyrics]
Music
music
Music
Caliban [Import]
Franz Joseph Haydn: Keyboard Works 1773-1779
Flötenmusik im Salon
House of Om Presents: Get Salted, Vol. 1
Lighthouse [Import]
I Never Knew
Heart's Devotion: Evening
Karajan Rarities
Hank, Bob and Me: Songs of Hank Williams Sr. and Bob Wills [Original recording remastered]
Es Mentira [Import]
Keep Moving [Import] [Original recording remastered]
George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue [Import]
Music: A Long Time Coming
...Believe What I Say
From the Inside