“misunderstood” the train is pushing you through the lengthy edges of the uncertain. it dumps your dizzy body into the sunny wayside environment. you might want to watch yourself. you might get too close to the whirlpool entrance. you will slip in, and as you’re passing away into oblivion again, you’ll scream, “i’d like to thank you all, for nothing, for nothing at all.”
“far, far away.” “where did that go? i must be lost in this after-space. you can continue to take me for a drive. this is pleasing surroundings, filled with late-night friends that want to see me again.”
“monday and outtasite (outta mind).” there is a certainty, the power is present, they like to roll, where their wheels roll. where are they rolling, you ask yourself? through two great, all-time, smash-hit, classic-feeling, rock n’ rollers.
“forget the flowers.”
Mr. Bennett,
the work is superb, i just had to bring the flowers, thanks.
sincerely.
with a vast variety of songs that signal the beginning transformation of one of the greatest american bands of all-time, Wilco commences and forms my favorite album by them, Being There. the first disc ends with another great song; “say you miss me,” is the perfect ending to a possible perfect first disc. instantly classic songs like: “red-eyed and blue,” a sweet, heart wrenching ballad; “i got you (at the end of the century),” a bombast testament to the security of love; and “what’s the world got in store,” a hopeful foreshadowing of things to come. the essential demise of Tweedy’s earlier musical partnership with Jay Farrar and Uncle Tupelo officially solidifies the talent of Jeff Tweedy on this, an extraordinary album. i know A.M. sounded like half of an Uncle Tupelo album. fortunately, it didn’t take Mr. Tweedy too long to find his own uniquely blended style of alternative country and experimental sound meanderings. i have always preferred Jeff’s voice; this inevitably leads me to greatly appreciate anything he does.
the second disc is certainly not as strong as the first. it does, however, provide the auditory gratitude of the same caliber. i can almost feel the wind on my face, as i drive with my arm out the window, during “someday soon.” the Beach Boys textured reincarnation of “outtasite (outta mind),” titled, “outta mind (outta sight),” is a complimentary take on an already wonderful song. the desolation and honesty of “someone else’s song,” drifts listlessly through a distinctively vacant and pensive mood, which tends to distract me from destroying in order to understand the dissection of their work. “kingpin,” continues the swaggering. country takes front stage, during the next three songs, as Wilco does what they do best, what they were raised on, what they breath and then exhale consistently; expertly crafted country songs.
“dreamer in my dreams.” you are back on the train. only now the uncertainty has comfortably become a home, and the party is roaring with unhinged irresponsibility, the best kind of irresponsibility.
this album was the definitive shifting point for Wilco, their rise towards their critically acclaimed masterpiece, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, was eminent. i love that album as well, it deserves all the lauded attention, but Being There has grown into a favorite position, in my personal opinion. even A Ghost is Born, and Sky Blue Sky fall short when i compare them to Being There. Wilco (the album) leaned closely to the raw physicality of its kin, but never seemed to capture the nonchalant release of youthful comfortability. i thoroughly appreciate and enjoy every Wilco album, Being There just seems to continually find its way to my ears.
it’s difficult to pull off the double-disc release. Wilco’s Being There achieves this with ease. i have always loved this album, every single song. the album has been there for me during those times designated, “tough times,” and it has celebrated with me during the easier times. thanks for Being There guys. god, i really hate myself for ending this ridiculousness with a terrible pun.
