So much good music was released in 2011 that it was quite difficult to narrow down my 20 favourite albums of the year. As such, I’ve also included some Honourable Mentions.   I didn’t have the chance to write a quick blurb for each album, so you’ll have to take my word that these are definitely the 20 albums that I personally enjoyed the most in 2011.   Each album entry is hyperlinked to a YouTube video of my favorite song from said album.  Enjoy/criticize/laugh/agree: continue reading...

It’s always a good day when there’s new music to be heard from Wilco.   According to reports the new album will be titled The Whole Love and the first song to make its way online is the single, “I Might”.   I’ve listened to it about 5 times already and absolutely love it.  Unquestionably Wilco, the song is incredibly catchy and it seems like Jeff Tweedy is re-energized.  Can’t wait for more from this album.   The single is available on 7″ at Wilco’s online store and comes with a b-side, which is a Nick Lowe cover, “I Love My Label”.   continue reading...

Back in 1998 Wilco teamed up with British folk singer Billy Bragg to put music to the previously unheard lyrics of legendary American folk singer Woody Guthrie.  The result was an album of music combining 3 unique voices that gave Guthrie’s words a new outlet in vastly different musical landscape from the one he knew.  The album is titled Mermaid Avenue and is worth seeking out in its entirety, but the best song out of the bunch is “California Stars”.   Today’s Live Flashback features Wilco performing said tune with collaborator Billy Bragg.   Excellence: continue reading...

As opposed to the typical “concert” performance footage that I’ve posted in the past, there is another type of clip that I really enjoy stumbling across, and that’s the in-studio live performance.  Sure, it’s a much more controlled environment without much of an audience and perhaps a lack of spontaneity, but it almost always features some deadly focused musicians ripping it up on their instruments.  A perfect example is this Wilco performance of a tune called “Impossible Germany” off their 2007 album Sky Blue Sky.  The tune is technically complex with multiple guitars layered over each other and also features an extended Nels Cline solo that might be my favorite guitar solo of all time… might be (it starts around the 3 minute mark).  There’s also an interesting afterword from lead singer Jeff Tweedy on the lyrics and how the song came together… Bonus!  A truly great song and performance: continue reading...

Once again I’ll throw my favorite 20 albums of 2009 into the mix of the 9 billion year end lists out there. Remember that these are NOT necessarily the 20 “best” albums of the year, but the 20 albums that I personally enjoyed the most. There’s also a great chance I’ve missed a few albums that I sincerely loved around 10 months ago, but the list is finished and I don’t give a shit! continue reading...

Jay Bennett was an important member of the band Wilco for 2 consecutive albums that garnered the most consistent critical praise, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  Bennett died in his sleep last night at the age of 45.  The cause of death is unknown.  His music and talent will be missed, watch him play keys in this 2002 performance with Wilco: continue reading...

Wilco are hard at work on a new album for 2009, but in the meantime there is a new live DVD, Ashes of American Flags that is set to release very soon. The disc is available April 18th, here’s a peek at whats in store: continue reading...

from NME:

Wilco have finished recording demos for the follow-up album to last year’s ‘Sky Blue Sky’. continue reading...