Listening to the new Wilco album ptobably isn't high on the 'to do' list of young hipsters at this point of 2022. They're a band who have cerrtainly been hip at certain points in their history, but those points are rather a long time ago now. So while hipsters, young ot otherwise, are probably best directed to the latest Kendrick record, or else Black Country, New Road, I'll give Wilco's latest Cruel Country a listen instead and share my thoughts here.
I'm very pleased to have seen Wilco live over ten years ago. They're probably one of my favourite bands. I say probably because despite all they've achieved down the years, and those achievements are considerable, they've always been the most unassuming of bands.
Because Wilco, (and when you're talking Wilco you're talking Jeff Tweedy first and foremost despite the other great musicians and personalities within the band), really know their stuff and always did. They know their Hank Williams, they know their Gram Parsons, their Big Star, their Mavis Staples, their Replacements. They know their place in the scheme of things. And that alone makes them worthy of respect.
I like the new record the more I listen to it. Wilco are like that too. You have to give them time. Cruel Country is mostly a trimmed back set of songs. Largely acoustic and reflective ones that don't share their secrets easily Fans of Nel Clines extraordinary guitar heroics may not find much in this one to revel in in that particular respect.
But there's plenty else to cherish. It's a rather sad record, as it seems to be reflecting most of all on America, and America's a rather sad place right now. But it's not overly sad. There are plenty of good lyrics. Plenty of good songs. Plenty of reasons to listen to it again and get to know it better. Wilco are not dead just yet even though they're no longer the coolest kids on the block and never will be again.. And that's great news.
No comments:
Post a Comment