"Shouldn't Be Ashamed" A gnarly sounding tune with a heavy backbeat...I like it. The beginning of the track is a bit of a fake-out with the strummed acoustic, and then it shifts into that heavy vibe that carries throughout the song. Not sure if this is a standout for me, but still another good track.
Here's a REALLY different take on Box Full of Letters from a show with just Jay & Jeff. I'd love to see an official release of one of those shows; from what I remember they were pretty good...
Thread guide Introduction and Uncle Tupelo Mar 1995 AM I Must Be High Casino Queen Box Full Of Letters Shouldn't Be Ashamed
Just a point of order.... and I may have missed something, so forgive me if I'm out of line. Please don't jump ahead of the OP. We don't post songs ahead of the OP's schedule.
I really like the first Wilco album. I really like "Casino Queen" - kind of reminds me of The Faces. "Box Full Of Letters" I always thought was the best song Tom Petty song that Tom Petty never wrote.
If you mean back at the time of the album release, I don’t think so. (I posted his guest appearance from 2019).
An aside on Brian Henneman (as he’ll be out of the picture once we’re past A.M.): he used to be a regular poster on the Jay Farrar message board back in the mid ‘00s. Before he got his own board up and running. A very personable guy who shared a lot of stories and insights on the music business. Went under the name: neverwonagrammy (obviously, a humorous reference to his buddy, Jeff Tweedy, receiving a Grammy for A Ghost Is Born). He said that John Fogerty told him that he (Henneman) had a great rock voice. Anyway, that was back when that particular board had a lot of activity.
Happy Saturday all: Pick Up the Change An ambling, likeable country-style shuffle, 'Pick Up the Change' is one of those tracks on this album that people talk about when they say it wasn't breaking any new ground for Jeff Tweedy or for alt.country in general. Sure, but I like it a lot as a song. Jeff's vocal on this song is really smooth and sweet, the guitars are once again really well-recorded and well-performed and the lyric is full of interesting insights. "Whenever I hear your heart talking, it's a song." That's just plain lovely. A.M. is quite indebted to country music in general and you can really feel that on this track and some of the others that follow toward the middle and end of the album. I can understand how they might feel kind of plain to folks who got into the band on their far more experimental (and rock/alternative leaning) later albums, but I think Jeff Tweedy writes really great country songs. He's naturally got the vulnerabilities and aww-shucks persona of many of the great country songwriters.
One of the more famous examples is how John Lennon always insisted on George Martin double tracking his vocals (I think I am remembering that recording phrase correctly) he had one of the most magical voices in rock n roll yet he never seemed to trust it
Another fine song. Tweedy's vocals are world weary and crack just a little like some of Gram Parsons' best vocals. My wife always liked this song and I can see the same characters showing up again on Hate It Here from Sky Blue Sky. Tweedy's phrasing is excellent here as well.
Pick Up the Change might not be a all-timer but it is a lovely, intimate song. Does this one get played live much? It feels like it would fit in a Tweedy solo set better than a full band arrangement. Henneman stands out here again in the late solo on the song.
Your last line here really nails it. Tweedy exudes a comfortable vibe through his voice, especially on the more intimate, gentle numbers
Very nicely said. One thing about Jeff Tweedy is that he has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of music and can tap into those influences. And acknowledges it and doesn’t shy away from it. And not to pound this idea into the ground...but (!) on this debut album, five songs into what is now a legendary, long-lived, career, nobody was expecting any curve balls.
Not a lot of bands are born with someone leaving… Wilco is one of those rare bands and the situation was even more complicated because the guy who left (Jay Farrar) clearly was "the one with a vision" (in Uncle Tupelo) and the more original voice of the two (in the early days, of course). For quite a number of years, Jeff was on a quest to fill this void beside him and this lack of grand scheme vision, trying different line ups etc. seeking inspiration in various "mentors" or partners (Jay Bennett, Jim O'Rourke, Glenn) before finding balance. In all fairness, I think that's where lies the divide among fans, between those who like Wilco best before the arrival of the current line up and those who like them now just the same. Some of us like the "unbalance" Wilco best, some of us like the stable version of the band best, and the two opinions are equally valid (especially since the stable version remain ambitious and explorative). It's two different visions of what an artistic quest should be. Anyway, more to the point : those early songs are just marvelous, sounding great, with that irresistible "cracky" voice, the stonesy power chords of the big rock songs (Casino Queen, I Must Be High), the adorable minor chords of the mid-tempo ballads (Pick up the Change) and everything in between (Shouldn't Be Ashamed, Box Full of Letters). Now, I'm just catching up with the thread, but this can be applied to much of the A.M record, mostly an extension of Jeff's songwriting on Anodyne. The album is great, and it sounds aboslutely fantastic on the vinyl reedition that was issued three years ago.
“Pick Up The Change”- Easily my most played song from this album throughout the years. It’s one of those songs I learned to play and like to sing. A great vocal by Jeff and a catchy little number. It’s most likely my favorite on the album. A high score for this one- 4.5/5
One vivid memory I have of this album is driving back from Eugene, Oregon to Seattle with my colleague in the car. He was either a very lucky (or unlucky) guy as I played the album over and over and burst into song myself on several occasions. It was his introduction to Wilco.
This guitar lesson for the song really showcases the simple beauty of the chords. I attempted to learn to play the guitar several years ago but I lacked the patience and discipline.
Funny, it’s one of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar. It’s always been a favorite of mine.
Mine too. Somehow it’s ended up on most of my car playlists over the years. It’s not exactly groundbreaking but it’s such a lovely pleasant tune.
Not a big fan of "Pick Up The Change" so instead of critiquing it I thought I'd post the 1995 WXRT Year End Listener's Poll to get a better sense of what was popular in Chicago when AM was released. Interesting glimpse into the mind of a rock fan circa 1995. Top Albums 01-Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness – Smashing Pumpkins 02-Pomegranate – Poi Dog Pondering 03-Anthology 1 – The Beatles 04-Tomorrow The Green Grass – The Jayhawks 05-Under the Table and Dreaming – Dave Matthews Band 06-100% Fun – Matthew Sweet 07-Walk On – John Hiatt 08-Exit The Dragon – Urge Overkill 09-Tigerlily – Natalie Merchant 10-A.M. – Wilco 11-Stripped – The Rolling Stones 12-Joe Dirt Car – BoDeans 13-Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish 14-Four – Blues Traveler 15-Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters 16-Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette 17-(What’s The Story) Morning Glory? – Oasis 18-Forever Blue – Chris Isaak 19-Mirror Ball – Neil Young 20-To Bring You My Love – PJ Harvey 21-Relish – Joan Osborne 22-The Ghost Of Tom Joad – Bruce Springsteen 23-Fate In Action – Insiders 24-One Hot Minute – Red Hot Chili Peppers 25-North Avenue Wake Up Call – The Freddy Jones Band 26-Collective Soul – Collective Soul 27-Twisted – Del Amitri 28-The Isle Of View – Pretenders 29-Trace – Son Volt 30-Days Like This – Van Morrison Top Concerts 01-R.E.M. @ Rosemont Horizon – 6/2-4 02-Pearl Jam @ Soldier Field – 7/11 03-Grateful Dead @ Soldier Field – 7/8-9 04-R.E.M. @ New World Music Theatre – 9/24 05-XRT Show: Poi Dog Pondering @ The Vic – 9/14-17 06-PJ Harvey @ The Vic – 6/10 07-Smashing Pumpkins @ Riviera – 10/23 08-XRT Show: Chris Isaak @ Arie Crown – 10/18 09-Page & Plant @ Rosemont Horizon – 4/28-29 10-XRT Show: BoDeans @ Chicago Theatre – 11/22-23 Top Movies 01-Apollo 13 02-Get Shorty 03-Pulp Fiction 04-Casino 05-Seven 06-Smoke Top TV Shows 01-Friends 02-ER 03-Seinfeld 04-The Simpsons 05-X-Files
Pick Up the Change One of the things I like about Tweedy, is his vocals are like a comfy old pair of shoes. They aren't getting you to the Oscars party, but whenever you put them on you feel good and comfortable .... and who really wants to get out the stiff uncomfortable fancy shoes for some snobby party anyhow. I have heard this song more than I realised, I reckon it must be one Steph likes and she has probably played it in the car a fair bit. We start off with a cool rhythm and a nice dobro style guitar in there also. I guess this has a bit of a country tint to it, but I don't really pick up on that to much, I think it is mainly the lead guitar fills that give it that twist. I think the lead guitar adds some nice colouring to the track also. I really like the breakdown at about 0:40. I guess it's the chorus and it's an interesting set up for a chorus. This is another track that really highlights some of the things I really like about Wilco. It isn't trying to impress anyone, it is just going about its own business irregardless of what is going on around it. I wonder if that is why so many folks have stated that this isn't a particular favourite album of theirs? The album is solid, but it isn't all up in your face saying, "look at me, look at me" (Laurie Anderson anyone ?.... sorry my minds wanders ... oh! look, rabbit) Solid song that I enjoy a lot, for many different reasons
I assumed future versions of songs we've already talked about were fair game. One thing that should probably be cleared up are the songs that appear on Alpha Mike Foxtrot since most of them were released well before the compilation was. Can we highlight them as we go along or do we have to wait till they appear on the compilation??? Also, are we allowed to talk about side projects of the times or is is this strictly a Wilco only thread??? I thought I was being helpful giving more information but if that's not what people want...
I wasn't actually having a go at anybody. It was just as I was skipping through the pages to put the thread guide together, I noticed a couple of songs from albums we are yet to reach, not compiles, upcoming albums. This is a Wilco thread, but I don't think @Parachute Woman will mind logical references to side projects as they follow the timeline. This isn't my thread in any way, I am just a participant. Sorry if you thought I was referring to you in some way.... I wasn't
Future versions of current songs are totally fair game, as are relevant outtakes from the Alpha Mike box set and side projects. Basically, reference anything you like if the conversation goes that way or you've got something cool to add! I'm not thread police. My only real rule is to try to keep in depth discussion of each song/album to when they get their time in the spotlight.
