The Animal Show » Wilco

Wilconey Island and Other Elisions

Edward — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:12 +0000

Greetings from the Scariest Place on Earth!

Last night, I had the good fortune to see Wilco at Coney Island’s Keyspan Park, home to the brilliantly-talented and usually-sober Brooklyn Cyclones. With new Show staffer David by my side, I blocked the view of everyone behind me, towering over the competition in a way I’m capable of doing when not standing next to the 6-6 behemoth Marquis Meowmers IV, which really heightened the experience. (Hoho!) Seriously, if you ever get a chance to be the tallest person at a concert, you should capitalize on it. It’s quite an experience. There’s nothing like making the 5-6 kid behind you furious. Or the 5-9 girl with the drunky-eyes who just elbowed her way to within 15 feet of the stage after arriving 30 minutes after the opener but, like, seriously dude, you’re so tall and she’s so short and why can’t you just trade places with her? And then you’re all like, hey lady, I’ve been here for 3 hours in the sun inhaling the Brooklyn barf that trails across from the boardwalk, and I totally hear you and all but I really have trouble seeing how that’s fair to any of the other 17000 people here who are shorter than I am. And the 5-9 girl whines that maybe if you worked a fucking job you wouldn’t have the time to stand out here for 3 hours and that’s why you should give her your spot. So you’re like, lady, keep insulting me and maybe I’ll have to go to the Port-a-Throne (Registered TM) and cry, leaving my spot for you, even though I have a job and it’s probably better than yours. And then David the Rookie (registered TM) is like, you should probably write about this, because it could be funny. So you do. With long, unedited sentences. All are great experiences, and I recommend them. But even if you can’t do all that, at least go see Wilco. And here’s why:

They rock as hard as anyone in rock right now. Period. Last night’s show was an almost 3-hour tour-de-force, coming in at 26 songs and featuring a few choice Indie Rock All Star guests, like the beautiful and talented Feist (joining for “You and I,” “California Stars,” and tambourine on “Hoodoo Voodoo”), Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste (Vocals on “California Stars” and maracas on “Hoodoo Voodoo”), and all three of the members of Yo La Tengo, who opened for Wilco and then returned during Encore #1 for a raucous and rocking “Spiders (Kidsmoke).” The band is a tight, cohesive unit, and are note-perfect live, while still retaining their noisy daring. Glenn Kotche is one of the most energetic and phenomenal drummers I’ve had the opportunity to see, and I’m sure I don’t need to say anything about the brilliantly innovative Nels Cline.

However, no concert is without its flaws, and this one certainly had a couple. These flaws were mostly in song choice, though. And that’s not to say the setlist wasn’t good. In fact, they played a pretty awesome cross-section of their fantastic back catalog. I just wish they’d played more from 2001’s breathtaking Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which is probably one of my 5 desert island albums. In particular, I had requested the rara avis “Magazine Called Sunset” on the Wilco site (they have a “request” feature, which is a fantastic idea), and was disappointed it didn’t make it into the show. But it was a long shot, and such is life. Lucky for you savvy readers, I’ve provided a few of my Wilco highlights below. Almost as good as the live experience, and all without having to peer over my tall, strong shoulders.

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Heavy Metal Drummer (Live) – Jeff Tweedy (YSI)

From Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest

This version features the alternate verse “She lifted up her shirt/at the battle of the bands/he twirled his sticks/she helped him to his van,” which Tweedy sang last night, causing Rookie of the Year David’s eyes to almost pop out of his head.

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A Magazine Called Sunset – Wilco (YSI)

From the exclusive YHF-era EP, More Like the Moon. (I can help you find it, if you’re at a loss.)

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Poor Places – Punch Brothers (YSI)

Recorded at their Daytrotter session, this may be the best version of this song I’ve ever heard. Better even than the original. That’s right — I went there. You know how much I love Chris Thile covers, and this is his finest, hands-down.

And if you like you see, turn off your tv and ZOOM!

Two Tweedy Posts in a Row?

Edward — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:12:40 +0000

This is the Jeff Tweedy I know and love.

Here at the Animal Show, we do whatever the hell we want. It’s the internet, and I don’t need no stinkin’ parents to tell me what to post about. Especially because they don’t understand my super-indie music tastes. Parents are square. Also, as you may have heard, they just don’t understand.

That post about new Wilco got me thinking about how much I love Jeff Tweedy live. Then I decided I’d share one of my all-time favorite live Tweedy tracks with you. It’s a beautiful version of Summerteeth’s “She’s a Jar” off of his live DVD, Sunken Treasure, complete with an exquisite harmonica solo. Maybe not February-friendly, but it’s amazing.

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She’s a Jar (Live) – Jeff Tweedy

If you don’t have it already, buy Sunken Treasure. It’s an essential piece of every Wilco fan’s collection.

New Wilco: "Everlasting Love"

Edward — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:28:14 +0000

This is most likely photoshopped. I've seen Jeff Tweedy live, and, believe me, he doesn't smile.

Wilco is a band which I love. Most of the time. Although I’ll admit think that 2004’s A Ghost is Born was a huge step in the wrong direction, 2007’s Sky Blue Sky (which was almost too easy-going) more than made up for it. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Summerteeth are two of my favorite albums ever, and I’m very excited at the prospect of new Wilco, with LP7 threatening to drop any day now. And by any day now, I mean “sometime in ‘09.” Whatevs. I’m sure it’ll be leaking soon, dudes, right??? HAHAHA Wilco totally hates leaked albums.

Anyway, at a concert he played just a few days ago, Jeff Tweedy debuted a new song, “Everlasting Love.” Man, this youtube video has less than 400 views. Can you believe what a great blogger I am, delivering the jams so quickly? If you ever get the chance to see Tweedy solo, I’d highly recommend it. Although he’s a weird weird dude who’s obviously somewhat pained to interact with an audience, he’s a fantastic musician, and his solo shows are where his true emotional genius comes through. Check the new song, and get as excited about the new album as I am.

PS: at the Tweedy concert I went to, Jeff encouraged the audience to help him play a fun game, where you use band names to describe poops. Many funny suggestions were made, but my favorite was “Blood, Sweat, and Tears.” See if you can top that.

The Hood Internet Strikes Again!

Edward — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:46:00 +0000

OMFG, HIPSTER DJS??

The Hood Internet is responsible for many of my favorite A+B mashups, and they’ve just dropped a doozy of a pairing: Beyonce + Fleet Foxes.

In terms of pure musical grace, this isn’t their finest work, but it’s still a fun listen.

Catch it and some of my other favorites from their material after the break!

The Hood Internet:

Single Foxes (Put Some Wood on It) – Fleet Foxes vs. Beyonce I’m still not sure how I feel about that title.

Superbowl Jesus – Kanye West / The 1985 Chicago Bears vs. Wilco I don’t think I’m exposed to the super bowl shuffle frequently enough. Thanx, Hood Internetz!

Simple X-Plosion – Diverse feat Lyrics Born vs. Andrew Bird Is it just me, or does Andrew Bird lend himself to being sampled in hip-hop songs perfectly? Plus, the pairing of him with a rapper with intelligent and literate flow like Diverse is a match made in heaven.

Shut Up, American Boy – Estelle feat Kanye West vs. the Ting Tings Notice now that 2 of my top 5 songs of 2008 are represented here. Those Hood Internet kids know what I like.