Warner Bros. Records Exclusive Releases For Black Friday

Warner Bros. Records has announced they will make a series of vinyl singles and albums available on November 28^th in honor of Record Store Day's "Black Friday" celebration. Originally, Black Friday was created by large corporate retailers to drive consumers to stores by promoting deals and discounted prices on mass-produced products. RSD's Black Friday subverts this tradition by creating special limited-edition pieces, often numbered, from a diverse list of beloved artists. RSD's version of Black Friday celebrates the pieces themselves and honors the special independent record stores that carry them. 

Warner Bros. Records - a proud official sponsor of Record Store Day - will make available the following special releases:

Green Day: Tune In Tokyo; Transparent blue vinyl. Limited to 5,000

This limited-edition 2001 live recording from Japan is available worldwide for the first time ever on transparent blue vinyl.

Flaming Lips: "Imagene Peise - Atlas Eets Christmas"; Transparent red vinyl. Limited to 5,000

The Flaming Lips secret 2007 Christmas album, Atlast Eets Christmas was previously released in a very limited physical quantity on CD only under the pseudonym Imagene Peise (with a sticker that read "Love Is The Answer - Merry Christmas From The Flaming Lips 2007"). This Black Friday release will mark the first time the album is available both widely and on vinyl.

Mastodon: "The Motherload"; 12" Picture disc. Limited to 5,000.

A limited-edition 12" vinyl picture disc of the band's latest single from their current album Once More 'Round The Sun, featuring stunning artwork by Skinner.  B-side is an exclusive instrumental version of "Halloween".

Jenny Lewis: "Pax-Am Sessions"; 7" limited-edition mint green vinyl single. Limited to 5,000

This Black Friday exclusive features two unreleased alternate versions of songs from Lewis' critically acclaimed album The Voyager, produced by Ryan Adams and Mike Viola, on limited-edition mint green vinyl. Side A is "Just One of The Guys (Pax-Am Version)" and Side B is "You Can't Outrun 'Em (Pax-Am Version)."

Conor Oberst: "Standing On The Outside Looking In" / "Sugar Street"; 7" vinyl. Limited to3,000

A Black Friday exclusive containing two previously unheard songs - "Standing on the Outside" and "Sugar Street" - recorded during the sessions for 2014's Upside Down Mountain, produced by Jonathan Wilson. 7" vinyl in single pocket art sleeve, small hole, 33RPM.

Echosmith: "Cool Kids" 12" Picture disc vinyl single. Limited to 3,000

A 12" picture disc of the Los Angeles alt-pop band's breakthrough single, which hit No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. This vinyl edition includes a previously unreleased remix by acclaimed remixer RAC (Tegan & Sara).

Please note that the following title by Wilco is NOT part of Black Friday but comingMonday November 17^th:

Wilco: Alpha Mike Foxtrot: The Wilco Rarities Anthology, 4-LP Set. Limited to 7,500.

Though this is not a Black Friday Exclusive, be on the lookout for this 4-LP box set containing 47 rare tracks recorded in the studio, most never before released on vinyl. Plated and pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl, this packaged includes a 36-page booklet filled with rare photos, liner notes from the band and their circle, and track-by-track notes by Jeff Tweedy. It also includes a download card for all 77 tracks on the Alpha Mike Foxtrot CD. 

Black Friday exclusive releases rock! 

New Fall Music Releases - 2011

Like it or not, autumn has arrived. And while the weather may not be warm and enjoyable, and the cold grip of winter may be closer than we would like, autumn does bring some enjoyable moments. There’s the changing color of the leaves, football, and of course, new music releases. Listed below are some of this autumn’s upcoming albums that I am most excited about.

September

Pearl Jam – 20 Soundtrack – September 20th
While not really a new release, Pearl Jam is going to put out an album in September that coincides with the Cameron Crowe documentary being released in theaters that same month. The album contains notable live tracks recorded during Pearl Jam’s twenty year history. Rare tracks and B-sides are also included. This two disc set will be available on September 20th and is highly recommended for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Superheavy – Superheavy – September 20th
Mick Jagger. Dave Stewart. Joss Stone. One great super group. Their debut album drops on September 20th and fans can expect an incredible collection of beautiful sound. What started in 2009 as a bunch of friends jamming in the studio, eventually led to this debut release. Dave Stewart and Mick Jagger have worked together before and have great chemistry. With the addition of other famous band members, expectations are high. The world will know in September if Superheavy can live up to the hype. My money says that they can.

Blink 182 – Neighborhoods – September 27th
With their first release of new music in over eight years, Blink 182 is marking their triumphant comeback. After a long reunion tour last year, the band got together and went into the studio to record Neighborhoods. First single, “Up All Night,” has been gotten a lot of airplay in anticipation of the disc. The song is all right, but I am hopeful that the rest of the record will have more of that classic Blink 182 sound that made me fall in love with the band.

Nirvana – Nevermind 20th Anniversary Edition – September 27th
Getting the much deserved anniversary treatment is Nirvana’s smash success, Nevermind. With unreleased tracks and a boatload of extras, the Anniversary Edition of Nevermind promises to be a real treat for Nirvana fans. I was surprised to hear about the inclusion of unreleased tracks. I thought they had all been picked clean and added to the box set With The Light’s Out. Apparently there were still a few more treats in the Nirvana vault.

Wilco – The Whole Love – September 27th
As the follow up to one of Wilco’s strongest releases (Wilco (the album)), Wilco will be releasing The Whole Love on September 27th. Anytime a new Wilco album is released, it’s an exciting time for music. Wilco is one of those prolific bands that never quite pushed into the upper stratosphere of fame, yet continually release exceptional albums that music fans will love. If The Whole Love is even half as good as Wilco (The Album) was, then the music world will have a real treat on their hands.

ChickenFoot – ChickenFoot III – September 27th
Another super group has a major release in September. However, this one is the band’s second release. Chickenfoot (consisting of members Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith) will be releasing their sophomore effort and the rock world is excited to hear what this excellent band has come up with. Their debut album went Gold, and if they continue to build off the success of their debut, Chickenfoot III has a great chance to go platinum. I personally cannot wait to hear this record. I am sure that it will be amazing.

October

Feist – Metals – October 4th
Feist is a band (singer) that I don’t pay enough attention to. It’s not because they aren’t good, it’s just that some bands slip through the cracks, and Feist is one of them. Their new disc, Metals, will be available on October 4th and I hope to be able to spend some time with it and post a review. Metals will be Feist’s first release since 2007’s The Reminder, which contained the huge hit “1,2,3,4.” Hopefully the new disc will continue in that superb trend and have some exceptional music for all of us to enjoy.

Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist – October 4th
For their first album in eight years, Jane’s Addiction went through several bass players before finally meshing with Dave Stiek. The Great Escape Artist is an album that fans have waited a while to hear. After the tour behind 2003’s Strays, Jane’s Addiction broke up again and reunited in 2008 with no new record to support. Instead, they went on tour with Nine Inch Nails, to the delight of fans. At the end of that tour, original bassist, Eric Avery, decided that the reunion was enough for him and it was time to move on. Jane’s subsequently drafted Duff McKagan to join the band, but after a few recording sessions, there was a mutual breakup. It will be interesting to hear what this new music from Jane’s Addiction is all about. With Perry Farrell at the helm, you know it’s going to be good.

Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire – October 11th
After announcing his retirement from music, Ryan Adams took some time off and everyone thought that it may be the last he was ever heard from. Fortunately, music lovers everywhere can rejoice, because Ryan Adams ventured into the studio and will be releasing his first solo album in years, Ashes & Fire. While it’s only been four years since the release of his last Cardinals record (Cardinology), it has been quite a long time since the last solo Adams record was released. It will be interesting to learn what direction his music has moved toward.

Evanescence - Evanescence – October 11th
Evanescence is another band that I enjoy but do not pay nearly enough attention to. Their self titled latest release hits stores on October 11th and if it’s anywhere near as good as their last album (2006’s The Open Door) then fans can rejoice. Evanescence has been silent for a while and I’m curious to know if that time off has helped or hurt the band. Five years is a long time between releases, but sometimes that helps a band come back stronger than ever.

November

The Beach Boys – The SMILE Sessions – November 1st
Still around after many years of making music, The Beach Boys are releasing a highly anticipated box set of unreleased material, The Smile Sessions. This set includes tracks that were recorded between 1966 and 1967, when the band was at their peak. This set contains the songs that were meant to be the original Smile album as well as unreleased demos, mixes, and more. This is an album that fans have been eager to hear for more than 40 years, and on November 1st, their patience will finally be rewarded. The only question that remains is whether a 50 year anniversary reunion tour will happen.

Lou Reed and Metallica – LuLu – November 1st
Lou Reed. Metallica. Together they recorded an album. It will be released on November 1st. Do I really need to say anymore? I am extremely curious to see what fruit this collaboration will bear. Metallica has done some ground breaking and risky things during their career, but this latest move is the strangest, yet most alluring, of them all. This could be the most anticipated and interesting record of all the fall releases.

New autumn releases…You rock!

Wilco To Headline The Solid Sound Festival - June 24th - 26th

In what promises to be one of the most diverse lineups on this year’s festival circuit, the Chicago rock band Wilco, who headline Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, will be joined by iconic American singer Levon Helm and his band, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, soul singer Syl Johnson, jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas, alternative country twosome The Handsome Family and more.

The intimate three-day event will also feature a rare live performance by Pillow Wand, the “dream guitars” collaboration by Nels Cline and Thurston Moore. It all takes place in the scenic Berkshire Mountains in North Adams, MA on the grounds of MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), the largest contemporary art museum in the country.

This year’s Solid Sound Comedy Cabaret is hosted by John Hodgman and features Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac and comedians Eugene Mirman (Bob’s Burgers, The Colbert Report) and Morgan Murphy (Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon).

Also confirmed to perform: New Zealand rocker Liam Finn, folk duo Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Chicago retro-soul band JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound plus indie-rockers Here We Go Magic, Sic Alps and Purling Hiss.

Returning to Solid Sound for a second year will be Story Pirates, the fun-for-all-ages sketch comedy/musical performance troupe whose skits are based entirely on stories written by elementary school-aged kids.

Wilco is also pleased to welcome Euclid Records, the St. Louis, MO based independent vinyl and CD retailer to this year’s Solid Sound Festival to host an onsite pop-up store. Additional retail partners and vendors will be announced soon.

The Solid Sound Festival is envisioned by Wilco and presented in collaboration with MASS MoCA, a renovated 19th century textile mill located in the scenic Berkshire Mountains. Festival attendees have full access to the entire, sprawling museum campus, which incorporates 150,000 square feet of galleries and includes Kidspace, a museum within the museum, designed especially for children and families. This year Kidspace will feature expanded hours throughout the Solid Sound Festival weekend.

Tickets for the three-day festival are $124.50 and available through www.solidsoundfestival.com, www.massmoca.org and the MASS MoCA box office. (Early worm tickets are sold out). Price includes admission to festival and museum, service fees and designated festival parking.

Admission for children 6 & under is free at Solid Sound. Weekend festival passes for kids ages 7-10 are $50 and ONLY AVAILABLE at the Solid Sound Box Office, starting Friday, June 24. They will be available throughout the entire weekend.

Solid Sound 2011 Festival Line-Up:
Wilco (Friday + Saturday headlining sets)
The Levon Helm Band
Thurston Moore
Pillow Wand (Nels Cline & Thurston Moore duo)
Glenn Kotche
The Autumn Defense
Pronto
Comedy Cabaret curated by John Hodgman featuring Wyatt Cenac, Eugene Mirman and Morgan Murphy
Syl Johnson & The Sweet Divines
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy
Handsome Family
Liam Finn
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound
Here We Go Magic
Sic Alps
Purling Hiss
Story Pirates

For more information please visit www.solidsoundfestival.com, www.massmoca.org, or
www.wilcoworld.net.

Wilco Spring Tour Dates Announced

Wilco has just unveiled their spring tour dates and tickets for most shows have gone on sale. Of course, the two shows in my area sold out in a matter of minutes, so cousin Ryo will have to make alternate plans to see Wilco somewhere else. Perhaps they will be at a festival this summer. Here’s the tour dates:

February 7th – Missoula, MT – Adams Center
February 9th – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Hall
February 10th – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theater
February 12th – Victoria, CA – Royal Theater
February 13th – Vancouver, CA – David Lam Park
February 15th – Edmonton, CA – Northern Jubilee Auditorium
February 16th – Calgary, CA – Southern Jubilee Auditorium
February 17th – Saskatoon, CA – TCU Place
February 19th – Duluth, MN – Decc Auditorium
February 20th – Madison, WI – Overture Hall
February 21st – East Lansing, MI – Wharton Cobb Great Hall
February 23rd – Hamilton, CA – Hamilton Place Theater
February 24th – London, CA – Centennial Hall
February 26th – Quebec City, CA – Imperial De Quebec
February 27th – Montreal, CA – Olympia De Montreal
March 1st – Ottawa, CA – National Arts Center
March 3rd – Halifax, CA – Halifax Forum
March 22nd – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore
March 23rd – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
March 25th – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theater
March 26th – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
March 27th – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
March 29th – Richmond, VA – The National
March 30th – North Bethesda, MD – The Music Center at Strathmore
March 31st – Scranton, PA – Scranton Cultural Center
April 2nd – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
April 3rd – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
April 4th – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
April 6th – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theater
April 7th – Concord, NH – Capitol Center
April 9th – Hartford, CT – Bushnell Memorial Hall
April 10th – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
April 11th – Pittsburg, PA – Carnegie Music Hall

For more information visit http://www.wilcoworld.net/

My 10 Favorite Releases of 2009

Well, it’s that time of the year again. 2009 is almost at a close and as we hover in anticipation of the New Year, this is a good time to reflect on the great music that came to us this past year. I’m hopeful that 2010 will bring half as many quality releases as 2009 did. Will we see a new Aerosmith record? I doubt it. Could we hold out hope that KISS goes back into the studio? Not likely. But we do know that there are some great albums on the horizon. Bruce Kulick is set to release a solo album, Buckcherry is in the studio, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are recording new music. Spoon, Lifehouse, Vampire Weekend, Natalie Merchant, and Airbourne are all talking about 2010 releases. And that’s just to get us started. Yeah, 2010 should be a great year for new music!

While we wait for future releases, let’s take a moment to reflect on the past. Here are my ten favorites of the past year. This was no easy task by any stretch of the imagination. A lot of incredible records were left off the list only because there were so many excellent choices. This is in no particular order, other than they are what I feel represent the 10 best releases of the past year. Got a different opinion? Leave a comment or drop an e-mail and let the debates begin!

Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King


Without a doubt, Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey… was one of the greatest gifts of 2009. Packed with memorable hits, smooth funky rhythms, and artistic punch, DMB has shown once again why they are leaders in the field of music and entertainment. Released in June, I played this CD several times when I first got my hands on it, at one point not listening to anything but this album for a week straight.

Here’s my review of Big Whiskey:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/06/dave-matthews-band-big-whiskey-and_07.html

Lynch Mob – Smoke And Mirrors


I’ll be honest, when I heard that this album was coming out featuring original vocalist Oni Logan, I didn’t have much hope for greatness. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited and I wanted the album to do well and sound incredible. However, I’m a realist, and with Logan being MIA for so long, and George being out of the spotlight, I wasn’t sure if they still had that magical chemistry. Am I ever so glad that they erased all doubt. Smoke And Mirrors is a metal classic!

Here’s my review of Smoke And Mirrors:
http://hardrockhideout.com/2009/08/24/lynch-mob-smoke-mirrors-2009

U2 – No Line On The Horizon


Shocked. That’s how I was when I listened to No Line On The Horizon. I was skeptical of the new U2 disc. How could they possibly release another great disc after All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb? Well, somehow, they made it happen again. Another near perfect album came out this year from the Irish rockers beloved the world over. With incredible songs like the title track, Breathe, and Moment Of Surrender U2 continues to dazzle and show us just why they are one of the greatest rock bands in existence.

Here’s my review of No Line On The Horizon:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/03/u2-no-line-on-horizon.html

The Clarks – Restless Days


Back with their first album of new material in more than five years, The Clarks made fans very happy with this year’s release of Restless Days. The wait was worth it, because The Clarks turned in their best album since 2000’s Let It Go. Combining typical bar blues Clarks style rock and roll with intense lyrics and melodies, The Clarks have produced one exceptional album. If you only own one Clarks album, this is the one that it should be. Restless Days is simply amazing and definitely a worthy contender for record of the year in 2009.

Here’s my review of Restless Days:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/10/clarks-restless-days.html

KISS – Sonic Boom


Long time readers of The Rock and Roll Guru may call me biased for picking KISS to be in the top 10 albums of 2009, but that is not why they are being chosen. Yes, Kiss is my favorite band, but Sonic Boom is a worthy contender for record of the year. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley went into the studio with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer and put together one incredible album. Sonic Boom is so much more than a great Kiss record – it’s a great record. If you played it and had no idea what band it was, you’d still like it. It’s their best work in decades, it’s a strong rock record, and it’s one of the ten best for 2009.

Here’s my review for Sonic Boom:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/10/kiss-sonic-boom.html

Wilco – Wilco (the album)


After a 2-year tour in support of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco returned this year with Wilco (the album) a fun filled disc of excellent material, some of the best Wilco has delivered in a while. The evolution of their musical talent and their transitioning from alternative country to jazz rock is what helped this album stand out. Never being afraid to push the envelope or change his sound, Jeff Tweedy has taken the band into unchartered territory and it paid off. Wilco (the album) is one of the best Wilco albums to be released in a long time and it’s one of the 10 best to come out this year.

Here’s my review for Wilco (The Album):
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/08/wilco-album.html

Phish – Joy


2009 was a most excellent year for Phish and their fans. First, the band announced that they were reuniting and going on tour, kicking it off with three solid concerts in March. Then they made those concerts available for free while they launched into an extensive tour. Finally, the best news of all came out that Phish was cutting a record with Steve Lillywhite producing. Wow! Joy was the result of those recording sessions and the album is simply amazing; not only a great Phish album, but a great album in general. Lillywhite has the ability to bring out the best and beyond in the artists he works with, which is why he is such a sought after producer. The results are imminent in Joy, one of the best records I’ve heard this year.

Here’s my review of Joy:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/phish-joy.html

Dion Roy – Gallery


New to the scene and new to me this year was Dion Roy who released the amazing Gallery back in May. A fabulous album of blended melodies, acoustic guitar, and wonderful harmonies, Gallery mixes elements of Pete Yorn, Ryan Adams, and David Gray and turns them into a wonderful record of folk style rock and roll. Gallery was the nicest surprise of the year for me and a fantastic album that fans of Ryan Adams and/or Uncle Tupelo should definitely own.

Here’s my review for Gallery:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/07/dion-roy-gallery_19.html

Pearl Jam – Backspacer


In September, Pearl Jam released their long awaited album Backspacer to the delight of many fans (cousin Ryo included). It had been a long time since their last record (2006’s Pearl Jam) and the new songs were something that fans were crying to get their ears on. Well, the wait was worth it and the time between records paid off. Pearl Jam delivered another fantastic record, and while not quite as good as their self titled previous effort, Backspacer is certainly a worthy disc. A well crafted, well thought, beautifully arranged work of art.

Here’s my review of Backspacer:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/09/pearl-jam-backspacer.html

Pete Yorn – Back and Fourth


As mentioned in my recent review, it took me a while to get into this record. At first, I was not very impressed at all. However, after revisiting (for this post, I believe) I was amazed at how good the album actually was. Once I stopped comparing it to his magnificent debut record (musicforthemorningafter) and accepted it for what it was (a new release by Pete) I was much more open to the songs contained within. Back and Fourth is an amazing journey through song and Pete Yorn has delivered an incredible record that is worth the time it takes to truly appreciate it.

Here’s my review of Back and Fourth:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/12/pete-yorn-back-and-fourth.html

And there you have it. Cousin Ryo’s picks for the 10 best releases of 2010. What are your picks?

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Wilco - December 31, 2004

Every Saturday The Rock and Roll Guru gives a comprehensive review of a live concert.

Back in 2004, I decided to reign in the New Year with my girlfriend (now my wife) at Madison Square Garden. We had tickets to see Wilco, whom neither of us had experienced live and we were both looking forward to the evening. Sleater Kinney and The Flaming Lips were the opening acts, and a very cool New Year’s Eve in New York City was expected.

Our seats were awesome ones for the Garden; section 47, row G, seats 1 and 2. This is the closest I’ve ever been to the stage at MSG. They were amazing seats and I was real happy to be sitting that close. Unfortunately, the concert was far from sold out, with many seats available in the 300s and no one sitting in the 400s. That may be why I was able to score such excellent tickets for this show.

Sleater Kinney kicked off the evening. I had seen them open for Pearl Jam on a couple of occasions and I didn’t particularly care for them then. This night would be no exception. I never got into their music and opening acts have a hard time with the sound still being adjusted. Add to that the fact that I knew none of their songs, and there wasn’t much hope. I patiently sat through their set, but did not come away liking them any more than previous performances.

The Flaming Lips were next, and I was only familiar one of their songs, She Don’t Use Jelly, but was looking forward to seeing them in concert. I had heard a lot of good things about the band, so my curiosity was highly peaked. The Flaming Lips did not disappoint. They opened with a nice light show and a bunch of mascots waltzing on stage that looked like a bunch of Pokémon characters dancing around. It was surreal, but entertaining. As I mentioned, I did not know their music at all, but from the opening notes of their first song, I was mesmerized. These guys were great and played intense, incredible, melodic music that transported me away to the land of happiness.

That night, I became a fan of The Flaming Lips. Their psychedelic music and emotional performance had me smiling, laughing, and enjoying myself like never before. My wife was also thrilled with their performance. At one point during their hour long set, the band unleashed a massive amount of balloons from the ceiling, and we were swimming in them gleefully.

As an opening act, The Flaming Lips were astounding. They conquered us with their music and live show, and my wife and I both agreed that we would like to see them in concert again. We even went out the next week and purchased a couple of their albums. They were simply amazing.

After The Flaming Lips left the stage and a little time passed (for clean up and instrument changes), the headliners were ready to step into the spotlight. Touring in support of A Ghost Is Born, Wilco had been through a whirlwind year and were really hitting their stride with the new members and the departure of (the incredibly talented) Jay Bennett. I had heard and read good things about the tour, and seeing them on New Year’s Eve in New York City was something special.

The band opened with a song I didn’t (and still don’t) particularly care for, and then kicked into Spiders (Kidsmoke). Spiders sounded intense live with a blistering guitar solo that really woke the crowd up.

Handshake Drugs was another awesome live song from the new album. Seeing it live really helped secure it as one of my favorite Wilco songs. It’s an amazing tune that sounds incredible in concert. A couple of classics would follow in the form of I Am Trying To Break Your Heart and A Shot In The Arm. Both were outstanding on that evening.

Wilco was a tight unit that night, performing like a well oiled machine, having a good time, and enjoying performing for the audience. The prerequisite Auld Lang Syne was played at midnight when we all rang in the New Year together, and then Wilco went into cover mode. They started with a performance of Judas Priest’s Living After Midnight and actually played it quite well. I had forgotten that Jeff Tweedy was a metal head in his youth. Love Will Keep Us Together and two other cover songs followed, after which Tweedy jokingly commented, “Hey, what do you know? You guys paid $45 to see a cover band!” And while the cover tunes may have been a bit much that night, they were all fun to listen to, and it was interesting to see Wilco perform such a wide variety of music.

The highlight of the night (for me) came in the form of Heavy Metal Drummer. This is my all time favorite Wilco song and hearing it live was an amazing experience. From the opening piano note, the crowd went bananas, which goes to show that I’m not the only one in love with this song. My wife didn’t know the song (she was not well versed in Wilco at all), but she too thought it was a great song. Wilco gave a blistering performance and really did the song justice live.

Wilco won me over as a true fan that night. Seeing them in concert made me appreciate their music that much more, I would definitely experience them live again. I haven’t had the opportunity to yet (although I’ve come close a couple of times, most notably this past year’s Bonnaroo), but when they come back around to the New Jersey area, count me in.

Setlist
Less Than You Think
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Hummingbird
Handshake Drugs
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
A Shot In The Arm
At Least That’s What You Said
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
Poor Places
Auld Lang Syne
Living After Midnight
Love Will Keep Us Together
Political Science
I Shall Be Released
Something In The Air
Heavy Metal Drummer
Kingpin
I’m The Man Who Loves You
The Late Greats
I’m A Wheel
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper
Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy
Comment (If Men Are Truly Brothers)

Wilco Setlist - UICC Pavilion, Chicago, IL 10/18/09

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a set list from a recent concert.





Wilco performed their last stateside concert for the year (barring any surprises) on October 18th in Chicago, IL. Anytime Heavy Metal Drummer is played, you just know it’s going to be a special night. The three song shot from Being There in the encore is incredible. It would have been nice to see more from Summer Teeth, but every Wilco show is so unique – there’s always next time.

Wilco – Chicago, Illinois
Wilco (The Song)
A Shot In The Arm
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
One Wing
Misunderstood
At Least That’s What You Said
Deeper Down
Impossible Germany
It’s Just That Simple
I’ll Fight
Handshake Drugs
Sunny Feeling
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
I’m Always In Love
Hate It Here
Walken
I’m The Man Who Loves You
Encore
You Never Know
Heavy Metal Drummer
Just A Kid
Kingpin
Monday
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Hoodoo Voodoo
I’m A Wheel

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Old Friends Edition

This weekend, my friend Richard is visiting from North Carolina. Richard and I have been friends for many years and a few years ago he moved from New Jersey to North Carolina, making it harder for us to see each other. We keep in touch regularly, but I really look forward to visiting him or when he visits us.

We have a lot planned for his stay this time around, including a trek into New York City. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone into the city to do any “touristy” stuff. That could be a great time. Whatever we do though, it’s just going to be a blast spending time together and catching up. It’s always nice visiting with close friends. No one understands or accepts you better.

And while I was preparing my house for guests, here’s what rocked this week:

Hinder Still Touring
Hinder is going on a short tour of the Midwest for the month of November. It’s good to see that these guys are still out there supporting Take It To The Limit. If my calculations are correct, Hinder is going to take over the rock world in 2011.

Carly Simon Is Suing Starbucks Due To Lack Of Album Sales
Ummm… maybe the reason your album didn’t sell well is because your career is no longer significant?

Wilco Announces First 2010 Dates
Nothing in my area yet, but hopefully they will come to Jersey this spring. It’s been years since I’ve since Wilco live. Perhaps I need to travel more.

Paul McCartney’s Live Disc Track Listing
Sir Paul has a live 2-disc, 1-DVD set coming out on November 23rd from the concerts he performed at Citi Field in New York earlier this year. Looks like a great selection of songs.

Phish Fall Tour
Phish is staying on the road this fall. The best part? Three nights at Madison Square Garden. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 23rd.

Wilco (The Album)

Wilco’s back with their highly anticipated Wilco (the album). After a couple of records where they experimented with different sounds and styles (A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky), Wilco (the album) was dubbed as the bands return to their roots. This record was being compared to their earlier classics, most notably, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. So, does Wilco (the album) return the band to their former sound and style? Let’s spin the disc and find out!

The new disc opens with the very strong Wilco (the song). From the start, the music sounds pleasurable, an attack on the senses that is overwhelming. Jeff Tweedy’s voice is terrific as he helps deliver a solid opening song. A soft rocker with a steady beat, catchy hook, and pleasant listening experience, Wilco (the song) is a great track.

Black Bull Nova is a standout piece which has drawn comparisons to Spiders (Kidsmoke) from A Ghost Is Born. The blistering guitar solo in the middle of the song and the shape of sound that the track is built around solidify the comparisons. Hearing them played back to back in concert would be a real treat.

You and I is a great duet with Leslie Feist that puts a nice touch on the disc. This is a pleasant, enjoyable song with great vocals from both Jeff Tweedy and Leslie. The simple harmony and quiet guitar riff blended with soft drums helps to make this a candlelight track. You and I is certainly one of the best songs on the disc.

Musically and lyrically, WIlco continues to evolve with each release. For Wilco (the album)they’ve slipped further away from their alt country, rock and roll, Uncle Tupelo sound and trend more toward a mellow, soft rock, jazzy type of sound. While different from the musical styling that put them on the map, it is a good evolution. Musically and lyrically, Wilco has matured and nurtured their songs into a more adult sound.

While a couple of the news songs would have fit in perfectly on Wilco’s debut record (AM), I didn’t find the comparisons to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot to be accurate. Although this disc sounds decidedly different from their previous two releases, which were leading further and further away from their alt country roots, it is certainly not YHF-era Wilco, and that’s all right. There will never be another Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which is what makes that album so excellent.

The current Wilco lineup of Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glen Kotche, Mikael Jorgensen, Nels Cline, and Pat Sansone are certainly hitting their stride together. The time spent as a group on the road and in the studio has helped them hone their ability to create together and the fruit of that hard work shines through in their current offering.

Wilco (the album) is one of the better Wilco records, certainly their strongest since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, which might be what caused all those comparisons. Make no mistake, this is not YHF, nor is it similar to that classic. However, this disc is a solid recording that will definitely please current Wilco fans, and is bound to win some new ones along the way. A strong album with terrific lyrics and excellent, well crafted music that pleases the eardrums, Wilco (the album) is a worthy investment.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Wilco (the song)
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I’ll Fight
Sonny Feeling
Everlasting Everything

New Release Season Has Arrived

Summer is almost here, and with summer come new releases and summer tours. I always love this time of year, because there is a new release by a great artist almost every week. Record marketing executives work furiously to set these release dates during a time they feel will be optimal for the public to spend their hard earned money.

Although we’ve already been blessed with some great releases this year (most notably U2’s No Line On The Horizon, Papa Roach’s Metamorphosis, and Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown), there are still several more highly anticipated releases due this year.

This week (Tuesday, June 1st) will bring us Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King, Taking Back Sunday’s New Again, and 311’s Uplifter. I can not wait to get my hands on the new Dave Matthews disc, and if all goes well, expect a full review next Sunday. I’ll probably pick up the Taking Back Sunday disc as well, but I may want to hear a few tracks from it before I make my purchase. Their last disc (Louder Now) wasn’t up to the level that I expect from this band, and I don’t want to be disappointed purchasing the album based on new-release hype.

Pete Yorn’s Back and Fourth is due out later this month and is another disc that I can’t wait to get my hands on. Although his last disc, Nightcrawler, wasn’t as great as his previous efforts, it was still a solid disc. I have a feeling that his latest release is going to be amazing.

Wilco (the album) will also hit shelves in June. They’ve already released their concert DVD, Ashes Of American Flags, and now by adding a disc full of new material into the mix, this should amount to a great summer for Wilco.

Our Lady Peace will return to the scene with the release of Burn, Burn on July 21st. I haven’t kept up with this band much since their release of Clumsy in 1997, but the word on their latest is that it’s well polished and a return to their signature sound of the mid-nineties that catapulted them to stardom.

There’s also talk of Phish being in the studio with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite (Dave Matthews Band, Guster) with a fall release date slated. I am really intrigued to see what kind of music Phish can make after being apart for so long. The creativity amongst them must b e overwhelming.

And supposedly, Kiss is still on target for a fall release with their, as of now, untitled disc. That would be the perfect capper to the end of the summer new releases.

What about you? Any releases coming out that you are looking forward to, or can’t wait to hear? Post a comment and share your thoughts!

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