Wilco: Album by Album

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Parachute Woman, May 11, 2020.

  1. GuidedByJonO)))

    GuidedByJonO))) Forum Resident

    Location:
    Evanston
    "Should've Been in Love"
    I'm finding myself wanting to like this more than I do, even now, despite how much I love the lyrics. It's a lovely enough song, but it just sort of floats on by in a pleasant haze, which isn't necessarily bad, but it doesn't have the bite of some of the more rock infused songs nor the ache of some of the other ballads. It's a perfectly serviceable late record song that keeps the vibe going, without really standing out either. Interesting to hear that little fading echoey effect at the fade out with the acoustic guitar strum - while it feels kind of out of place on a record that is pretty warm and organic, it does sort of point towards the way they'd be playing with sound on the next record. 3 out of 5.
     
  2. jalexander

    jalexander Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    I’m normally not much of a lyrics person and where I am, it’s usually just a line or two that sticks with me, and often in a way that might have some personal resonance divorced from the context of the overall song. That said, a lot of Tweedy’s words hit me hard, especially as they get more abstract. His writing process is quite interesting too... while he is quite invested in poetry and the weight of words, he writes music first and then tries to stay out of the way of the words.
     
  3. jalexander

    jalexander Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canada
    Yeah, the fade out makes the song for me. It hints at what’s to come as Wilco get more adventurous and let instrumental passages speak alongside the lyrics.
     
  4. Rainy Taxi

    Rainy Taxi The Art of Almost

    Location:
    Chicago
    Well that is interesting. Westerberg is one of my favorites of all-time, and I've always made a lot of connections between him and Tweedy in, among other things, their love of proto punk filtered through jangly pop, their clever wordplay and confessional lyrics, and their vulnerable/raspy vocal performance. I came to Westerberg late, after I was already a Wilco fan, so there would be times I'd hear a Westerberg vocal and think, "Damn, that sounds just like a Tweedy phrasing and delivery." I never made a connection to "Should've Been in Love" before, but now that you mention it, I can see it. "Aching" is a good word to describe that song. I've always loved it.
     
  5. gjp163

    gjp163 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Wamberal Beach
    Sorry Off topic however wanted to let you know that I have downloaded a brand new Wilco song “Tell Your Friends” on Bandcamp today. First listen I’m impressed and sounds like it’s from the Ode To Joy sessions.
     
  6. Parachute Woman

    Parachute Woman Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Thank you for the heads up! It's up on YouTube HERE if anyone wants to listen. Really great song. A gentle sigh. It reminds me of something I can't put my finger on. Cowboy Junkies? Great solo at the end.

    Today's track for discussion:

    Passenger Side


    Jeff said of this song, "I don't think I've ever written a better song than 'Passenger Side' in terms of just making a totally straightforward narrative happen in a song, and making it all work and putting it all together." It has been a reliable staple of the live shows for pretty much Wilco's entire career so I think it is quite popular with both fans and the band. 'Passenger Side' was the first song I heard from A.M. It was included on a road trip mix published in a magazine that my mom had me download for her from iTunes. She was always under the impression that this is a comedic song, but I don't see it that way. It's a narrative about a character I see as a little bit pathetic, begging for rides off his friends and feeling down because he has to give up his control and let someone else 'steer' (both literally and metaphorically). But it sure doesn't sound like he's got his life together or did a very good job of 'steering' it when he did have control. It's a strong narrative and a good song with a memorable melody and that swaying fiddle in the background adding to the ambling, drifting-down-a-back-road feel of the song. It has never been a particular favorite of mine but I do enjoy it. Good song.

    I think I always paired it in my mind with the song 'Passenger Seat' by Death Cab for Cutie, which is a far more emotional song on a similar topic.
     
    AmosM, Rob P S, robcar and 8 others like this.
  7. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    Yea I reckon I agree here.
    Some darkly humourous lyrics, but not comedic.
    It seems to be a song about an alcoholic that doesn't enjoy his punishment for DD, DUI, DWI (whatever's preferred)

    I like the song well enough. It has a nice cruisy almost dreamy feel to the music. The vocal phrasing is interesting, and thoughtful, but not a favourite.
    Good album track.
     
  8. Kingsley Fats

    Kingsley Fats Forum Resident

    I'm not sure if you would know this or not.
    Mike Judge was the bass player for a couple of years (1989 - 1990) with a really great Texas blues band Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets who released 10 albums from 1981 to 2003 including in 1990 Rack 'Em Up which Mike Judge plays on.
     
  9. Zeki

    Zeki Forum Resident

    I like Passenger Side and do, indeed, think of it as a humorous song. In fact, I see it as almost a pairing with Brian Henneman’s ‘$1,000 Car,’ from The Bottle Rockets’ 1992 release The Brooklyn Side. Upthread we heard Jeff Tweedy offer recognition to Henneman for teaching him some songwriting tricks of the trade (see: Casino a Queen live snippet where Henneman is guest). And I think you can draw a direct line from that earlier song to this one. In any event, Passenger Side makes me smile and I like it a lot. I like it so much that it violates my 5-song per album rule and gets a spot on my playlist.

    Here, by the way, is $1,000 Car:
    Bottle Rockets “$1,000 Car” (from The Brooklyn Side, 1992)

     
    Rob P S, tulumdedoo, mrdardy and 6 others like this.
  10. Parachute Woman

    Parachute Woman Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    You're already violating your rule on the very first album? :D Do you think you'll be able to stick to five on all the albums coming up? :) I'll be very interested to see what ends up being on the playlist as we move through.

    I didn't know that! Pretty cool. He always seemed like a music fan to me, based on his work.
     
  11. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    Does Being There get ten songs?
    Just out of interest
     
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  12. Zeki

    Zeki Forum Resident

    I know! :D And I make no promises. I’m pretty confident I can keep it at 6 for this first one. Upcoming? Hmm?
     
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  13. Zeki

    Zeki Forum Resident

    :D (Could happen.)
     
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  14. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    It would have to :)
     
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  15. Al Gator

    Al Gator You can call me Al

    Yes, Passenger Side is indeed a fun little number and definitely not to be taken seriously. It's a great counterpoint to the more serious songs before it and fits perfectly in its place.
     
  16. Rockford & Roll

    Rockford & Roll Forum Resident

    Location:
    Midway, KY
    Thanks very much. I needed this pleasant "shot in the arm" today...and it is a really cool guitar solo.
     
  17. Rockford & Roll

    Rockford & Roll Forum Resident

    Location:
    Midway, KY
    Passenger Side is another favorite for me. It takes me back to me and some buddies during our "wilderness" years. A woozy boozy tune and I like the "roll another number" quote.
     
  18. Fortuleo

    Fortuleo Used to be a Forum Resident

    Passenger Side : I love the easy going straightforward country-rock pop vibe and it's a great live number. I see it as the best Golden Smog song that can be found on a Wilco record.
     
  19. Zeki

    Zeki Forum Resident

    I never thought of it that way. I’ll have to think about that.
     
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  20. dirkster

    dirkster Senior Member

    Location:
    McKinney, TX, USA
    Good call. I have a nice promo CD somewhere with an acoustic version of “$1,000 Car”. I hadn’t mentally linked that song with Passenger Side, but I will now. I also had a $1,000 car myself (1978 Chevette hatchback with plaid seat covers, AM radio only, and no air conditioning) back in 1989-1991 and lemme tell ya there really is no such thing: it’s actually a $2,000-$3,000 car or more once you pay for all the work that’s needing to get done on it on a rolling basis.

    “Passenger Side” is a great goofy track and served as the basis for many “versions“ when played live on subsequent Wilco tours. It’s a deep cut on this album, which is otherwise front-loaded with all the other “hits”.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  21. Jack

    Jack Senior Member

    I first heard PS coming down from a wonderful mescaline night. The sun was coming up, the catbirds singing in the trees, and my friend put on this song on the hi fi set. Hooked. 25 years later, still buy Wilco. But that new one, Tell Your Friends, is simply bad.
     
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  22. farewelltransmission

    farewelltransmission Forum Resident

    Location:
    NYC
    I think that outside of like... California Stars, Passenger Side might be Wilco's best live singalong. It's one of the few setlist staples that I don't tire of. It's a simple song, but in many ways it feels like a perfect snapshot of early Wilco at its best. Later Wilco might start with a song like Passenger Side but then they'd.... make it weird. I think that's one of the most exciting things about being a fan of this band.
     
  23. wavethatflag

    wavethatflag God is love, but get it in writing.

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    "Passenger Side" is a great song about being down and out. Based on his autobiography, "You're gonna make me spill my beer/If you don't learn how to steer" is something Jeff's dad could have said.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  24. palisantrancho

    palisantrancho Forum Resident

    “Passenger Side”- This song always gets a huge response when it’s played live. Everyone loves the beer and joint references. It’s like their college frat party favorite. An enjoyable sing along number with another good Tweedy vocal. Twenty years ago I would have probably said it was one of the best songs on the album. Today I say it’s another middle of the road Wilco tune. I give it a 3/5.
     
  25. NettleBed

    NettleBed Forum Transient

    Location:
    new york city
    Passenger Side.

    Quite simply, I hate this song. I hate it on the album and hate the experience of hearing it live even more. I think the lyrics are sophomoric, the song soporific and the whole thing just a cringe-inducing mess.
     

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