|   Wilco - <i>Yankee Hotel Foxtrot</i> | Rae
Apr 22, 2002 7:21 AM | | Well, I've lost track of exactly how long it's been, but Wilco's <i>Yankee Hotel Foxtrot</i> will finally see the light of day for the first time as something you can hold in your hands (replete with artwork and liners and little broken tines in the inside of the jewel case) at midnight tonight. My local CD Warehouse is staying open late. I'll probably go; the first time I've done that since <i>Amnesiac</i>, I think. I've managed to make it all the way until today without hearing a single note of it as far as I know, and I'm more than a little excited. The <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/wilco/yankee-hotel-foxtrot.shtml">10.0 rating it received at Pitchfork this morning</a> is going a long ways towards stoking that anticipation (even if they do suck (Pitchfork I mean)).
Here's hoping it's all that it's cracked up to be.
~Rae
PS. The new Elvis Costello comes out tomorrow too, I'll probably pick that up tonight as well. I can't wait to see him for the first time here in June. |
| I'll join you, though at more like, tomorrow afternoon ;-) (nt) | Masonjar
Apr 22, 2002 7:35 AM | | |
| How am I going to do a fake putdown of this album if . . . . | Darius
Apr 22, 2002 7:36 AM | | I can't think of a sarcastic retitling of either the band name or the album name that incorporates the concept of "sucks", "blows", "lame", "hippo balls" or anything like that? This is going to be tough. Any suggestions would be appreciated. "Hankee Blowtel Suxtrot" just isn't gonna do it. |
| Wilblow? (nt) | Rae
Apr 22, 2002 7:46 AM | | Sucky Sucktel Suckstrot? |
| Swillco? ;-) (nt) | Masonjar
Apr 22, 2002 8:27 AM | | |
| Why is this band and album so <i>important</i>? | RPM
Apr 22, 2002 7:48 AM | | First off, I'm neither a fan nor a non-fan. My only exposure to Wilco has been a few songs via comps. I did hear one cut from YHF (the drummer song), and thought it was OK, but nothing special.
So, why all the buzz? I know this record was dissed by their ex-label, then picked up by an indie label?? But, I heard a quote from some criticwho stated that Wilco was "the most important band in America" or something close to that.From what I hear and see, this releaseis one of the most anticipated peices of music in months (or a year?). I'm just curious as to why it seems more "siginficant" than other new albums by popular artists.
Rick |
| Why is this band and album so <i>important</i>? | Masonjar
Apr 22, 2002 8:26 AM | | <i>So, why all the buzz? I know this record was dissed by their ex-label, then picked up by an indie label?? </i>
Actually they got dropped by one arm of Warners (Reprise) and picked up by another arm (Nonsuch) go figure!
All I can say as far as an answer to your question is that I think they're the forefront "Americana" group, they've started to break free of the "Alt-country" tag, and, well, the critics want to crown the next R.E.M. or at least a Radiohead U.S.A. Like Rae, I've not heard note one from <i>Yankee</i>, but I really enjoy their prior two albums and I think they're heading in an interesting direction. I don't believe it's going to be the best album of the year or anything, but I'm curious enough, and they've proven themselves worthy of my first-day-on-sale dollars. :)
-jar |
| Because the media is telling us it is! n/t | Troy
Apr 22, 2002 9:33 AM | | !!! |
| Of course that's right, but why are they telling us it is? | Darius
Apr 22, 2002 9:56 AM | | It comes back to the same question. |
| It's so obvious! | Troy
Apr 22, 2002 10:15 AM | | It's so that they can look cool and in the know. Writing butt kissing rave reviews is the only way they can be a part of the party and the reason why these people got into the review game is to be a part of the party. Remember your Lester Bangs.
Wilco is a safe choice for unimaginative reviewers to rave about because of it's accessability. Problem is, if it's accessable to everyone, it becomes as interesting as Wonder Bread.
Uh-oh, the bile is rising . . . |
| It is important, and here's why | Mr MidFi
Apr 22, 2002 10:41 AM | | This thread appeared while I was carefully writing one of my own to post as "new". Then I got sidetracked by work. Then came lunch. Oh well. Here it goes:
"While record industry lobbeyists are busy bending the ears of politicians in Washington in hopes of establishing an orwellian New World Order of copy-protected CDs and DVDs, another important battle for the soul of the recording industry is taking shape. This one has little to do with technology, and everything to do with artistic integrity.
Tomorrow, the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album from Wilco will finally be released in stores coast to coast ($11.99 at BB, 11.88 at Target). For those unfamiliar with the sad, bewildering saga of this disc, a little history is in order. The album was completed and submitted to Reprise Records (a Warners label) over 7 months ago. Reprise, which built its reputation by nurturing hard-to-classify artists like Neil Young and Ry Cooder, has decided it is now in the business of selling chart-topping megahits. YHF was deemed too uncommercial by the suits. The dispute with the band led to Wilco walking away from its contract, and finally signing with the smaller Nonesuch label to release the album intact. Ironically, Nonesuch is also owned by the AOL/Time/Warners conglomerate
meaning they had to pay twice for the same album.
I have read two reviews of YHF, one from Rolling Stone (four stars) and the other from Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune (best album of 2001). The consensus seems to be: this album is a bona fide masterpiece from an uncompromising band at the top of its game. All eyes in the record industry will be turned toward this important release, and Im sure many of the suits secretly hope that it will fail miserably. Because if it does fail, then they will feel vindicated the next time they take a hard line and say, moderate success in a niche market is not enough
make big bucks, or hit the bricks!
For those of us who enjoy honest, quirky, original music that doesnt pander to the sensibilities of a spreadsheet, the stakes are high. Hell, they always have been. But if you want to do something about it besides complain, I urge you to go out and buy this disc. Even if alt/country/pop/whatever isnt really your thing. Buy it anyway, and give it to a friend. The battle lines have been drawn, and the time to act is now.
If Wilcos Yankee Hotel Foxtrot goes gold or platinum, it will serve as a strong statement and cautionary tale to short-sighted A&R men everywhere. The message: Ignore the real music fan at your own risk!"
OK...I seem to have gotten caught up in the rhetoric a little. But you get the idea. |
| I don't think that can happen... | Rae
Apr 22, 2002 11:16 AM | | ...I mean, Wilco has already put an obstacle in the way of significant record sales by offering the album free from their website for so long. I don't think that the record will be successful, at least not in the way the record industry defines success. BTW, if you are really interested in "sticking it" to the major labels and buying something regardless of the music contained within, why not buy from independent labels?
And Rick, the release of this record is important to me for several reasons. Firstly, I've liked Wilco ever since the first time I heard "Box Full of Letters." My tastes may have changed since then, but they've evolved too and they're a band I have a history with. Secondly, there's always an allure attached to a "lost" masterpiece. The saga of the album's long journey to official release is at least interesting if not compelling. And lastly, da<i></i>mn it, I'm just an optimist. I'd like to hear a great rock 'n' roll record, and I'm willing to give this one a chance. Anticipation doesn't always equal satisfaction (Trail of Dead?), but I can always hope.
~Rae |
| For the record... | Mr MidFi
Apr 22, 2002 11:53 AM | | ...I'm not really interested in "sticking it" to anyone. I buy major label and indie label releases all the time. My interest is in supporting Wilco, a band that deserves success and was denied an opportunity to achieve that success despite their best efforts. And, by extension, I want to support the next Wilco (whoever they may be), so they might get an extra chance to develop into an A-list act before they get hosed by their label (whichever it may be).
I don't know how many folks have downloaded YHF from the web site. Hopefully, just enough to feed the "buzz" and spark interest from record store people and radio-station programming personnel.
BTW...I second all of the points in your second paragraph. |
| well said, midfi | rufus
Apr 22, 2002 4:01 PM | | i'd love to see this album go huge, but i doubt if it will. however, gold would be terrific, platinum better. so the record labels start to consider that it's the music that's important.
by the way, the new westerberg album comes out tomorrow as well. |
| Please refer to Secret Inner Circle Proclamation #248 . . . . | Darius
Apr 22, 2002 8:42 AM | | Actually, you can't refer to it because it's secret, and I understand your Inner Circle membership nomination is being held up in Committee at the moment. But Rae has seen it and he tells me it's quite definitive. |
| I guess I'd more appropriately be in the "inner <i>square</I>" ;-) (NT) | RPM
Apr 22, 2002 8:50 AM | | |
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