“I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” and “War on War” DESTROY
“Bright Leaves” and “Before Us.” So glad they got the new album’s opening
tracks out of the way first. “War on War" remains brilliant!!
The unceasing nursery-rhyme two-step of “One And Half Stars”
deserves that many stars... Fortunately, the new album does improve significantly
as it goes along.
“If I Ever Was A Child”: apparently a deep cut off Schmilco.
Hope some other hardcore fan enjoyed it.
Omg, I just realize I’m involuntary shaking my hands during
“Handshake Drugs”!!! The brand-new feedback whisper-out Jeff Tweedy added
at the end was *perfect.*
“At Least That’s What You Said”!!!! I hadn’t realized
it until now, but it’s probably my favorite down-low Wilco song. A soul
shaking *journey* each time I hear it.
“Hummingbird” remains so smooth. Great lyrics as well.
“There’s a gentleman over here who advises us to Keep On
Rocking. We’ll take your lobbying under consideration.”
“White Wooden Cross": “This song is not super sad if you don’t listen to the
lyrics. Or listen to them; I don’t give a f---. It’s not so bad to be sad.”
Deceptively deep quote!! What he said about lyrics is hilariously true.
I had actually read the lyrics before I heard the song, and I was shocked
by the disconnect.
The thunder claps during live renditions of “Via Chicago”
remain frustrating, but the song is much better once each rumble ends.
Haven’t heard “Bull Black Nova” in a while. I was
about to meh it as empty aggression, but they totally reinvent the song!!!
Tweedy makes the blood section into spoken-word menace...and then
explodes it. I will continue to go to Wilco shows until they stop performing.
Always something new!!!
HA, they pick perhaps the one memorable song off Star
Wars, “Random Name Generator.” Smart decision.
“Reservations”!!!! Don’t think I’ve ever heard it live
before, it doesn’t stand out on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but that was
tender wonder right there. Held my breath from beginning to end.
The lyrics, dark tone, and chance to hear Nels Cline make
“We Were Lucky” a fitting title. I did say the new album got better as it
went along.
“Love Is Everywhere (Beware)” reminds me of The Shins’ “A Comet Appears.” That’s a good sign.
“Impossible Germany”!! I swear Nels added so much new
stuff. Lol at Tweedy’s ‘direction’: “That’s exactly how I asked you to do
it tonight.”
“Forget The Flowers” and “Box Full of Letters” shows their
incredible range. I’d forgotten they started as alt-country.
Hilarious riff on an audience member reading his book mid
show. “There are layers. It needs to be read multiple times. That
was the intention.”
“Everybody Hides” is the most tight, catchy new one.
Mini reinvention of “Theologians”!! So enjoyable.
“I’m The Man Who Loves You.” The happiness continues.
Hahahaha: “We just went off the stage, and now we came back.
What a lovely surprise. Thank you.”
If it wasn’t so new, people would really like “Hold Me Anyway.” Smooth, sincere, upbeat: a winner.
“Misunderstood”!!!! The max rock version with a
quieter outro. Such skills.
“California Stars” felt a bit thin.
“Red-Eyed and Blue”: wow, one from Being There I’ve
never heard them play live. Heeee at the straight bluebird whistling
section!
Another ancient one, “I Got You”: super fun, especially the
fake out where they keep going!!
“Outtasite”!!!!
Grade: A+
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