Word: wilco
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...released to much critical acclaim), and he brings his unique literary sensibility to each of the group’s records. Perhaps because of Berman’s strange proclivities, the Silver Jews have never achieved the (comparative) popularity of some of their alt-country contemporaries: Wilco and Ryan Adams especially. Berman savors the absurd, and his songs abound with bizarre characterizations and nonsensical turns of phrase. Berman’s genius is his ability to invest these caricatures with pathos and existential import: the freaks and geeks that populate Berman songs are transformed into emblems of desire and resignation...
...example, are visceral but disappointingly derivative of Coldplay, flawlessly executed but too slickly produced. “What a Wonderful Man” is boring, candyfloss pop that acknowledges Wilco’s “Summerteeth” in its forcedly peppy instrumentation and retro harmonies. But while Wilco vocalist Jeff Tweedy always sounds too dire to make any of his poppier efforts irritating, James sounds cloyingly precious. “Off The Record,” while awe-inspiring in concert, sounds paradoxically forced on the record. Still, the band retains its flair for the redeeming musical moment...
...them was Wilco's new album A Ghost is Born, which I came...
...begins, Drew, as you’ve deftly swung the discussion back to a point I started to make above: Mayer, along with Norah Jones, winner of 3, Alicia Keyes, winner of 4, U2, winners of 3, Springsteen, winner of 1, Maroon 5, and even best alt album winners Wilco are part of this bland, inoffensive slate of artists with an immense populist appeal that never does a whole lot to challenge convention...
...critical tastes of the Academy have seemed bent towards artists of this nature, short on innovation and high on traditionalism. I hesitate to lump Wilco in there, especially because A Ghost Is Born is certainly more experimental than some earlier releases, but look at what it beat out: Björk’s Medulla, Modest Mouse’s Good News for People Who Like Bad News, PJ Harvey’s Uh Huh Her, and Franz Ferdinand’s eponymous release. A Ghost Is Born is just tired Americana and distorted guitar. Franz Ferdinand?...