After having several too many listens of the new Wilco CD, I decided I wanted to write a little more about it. Normally when I buy a new CD and mention it on this blog it's a cursory analysis only, since I've usually heard half the album only and know only one or two songs particularly well. I should have done the same with the Shins album but I've discussed the Shins enough elsewhere for this not to be necessary. So I thought I'd walk you through it track by track, in a moment of self indulgence and lack of inspiration. I can blame it on report writing I suppose... it does tend to deaden your brain. Part One of my analysis follows, anyway.
1. Either Way
A low key but solid start to the album, with the straightforwardness already evident in the lyrics. Strings in the background complement the usual guitar/piano sound of the band. A cruisy little solo in the middle makes this a very likable track.
2. You Are My Face
A beautiful piano introduction and melody with softly sung lyrical alliteration- 'working in the goldmine full time, filling in for sunshine'. And just when you thought 'this is a great song' it gets better when it diverts somewhere else more intense and Jeff starts singing a little more urgently. Then it's back to the soft, sensitive stuff to finish off. One of the best Wilco songs, in my opinion.
3. Impossible Germany
This is the song all the fans were praising on the web before the album's official release, and it's not hard to see why. The lyrics tell the story of travelling and finding things different to how you expected. Another one of the songs (frequent on this album) which has added complexity as it continues, thanks to the deft guitar playing.
4. Sky Blue Sky
Describes parades in small towns with one long main street and the quiet instrumentals match the mood of the lyrics perfectly. Subdued but certainly not boring.
5. Side with the Seeds
Starts off with a drum roll, then moves into piano. Another slow one but it doesn't lack intensity. More strings for atmosphere too.
6. Shake It Off
The song they kept stuffing up in the live shows and restarting, mostly due (I think) to the somewhat difficult rhythm. Another song with two parts. The lyrics are great, the bit about the ceiling fan chopping up dreams in particular. And then once again it goes somewhere completely different in the middle, when Jeff is 'gonna shake it off'. Rather poetic too, lyrically.
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