Hear All of Wilco's New LP "The Whole Love" Right Now

Wilco's new album, The Whole Love, may not come out for another three weeks, but if you head on over to the band's official site right now, you can listen to the whole album in its entirety. If I recall correctly, the stream is only available for today only. So, jump to it!

LISTEN: Wilco - The Whole Love

WATCH: Wilco Share Teaser Video for New Album

In case you didn't hear, Wilco will be releasing their eight studio album, The Whole Love, on September 27th. The album is the band's first release on their own dBpm Records. We've already heard the distorted romp of album track "I Might," and now we have a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process paired with another new song entitled "Almost." Check out the teaser video below.

VIDEO: Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Shows His Top 40 Passion

Thanks to Paste Magazine for the help on this video, posted 3 months ago on YouTube. I know we talked about Wilco covers yesterday, but this is sort of a role reversal. Jeff, ever the crowd-pleasing performer with his playful jokes, ditches yet another classic from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in favor of Ms. Knowles' monstrous radio/club/everywhere hit. So it's Wilco covering someone, not Someone covering Wilco. See, we vary our content, geez.

UNDER THE COVERS: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (Wilco cover)

Max turned me on to this cover awhile ago. A little Googling will turn up some info on this Chicago soul band, and a rather pretentious writing voice. But let's not get judgmental about tone, because JC & The Uptown Sound really have something going here. This a different cover, but I like that. For some reason people just haven't been able to sack up when they cover Wilco (read: Norah Jones covering "Jesus, Etc.").

This a great treatment of the song. Sometimes when Max and I have sat around jamming on this track, we end up screaming and rocking on, "but still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy," and I think there's an energy here that JC & Co. really exaggerate (but in a great way). The triumph in the original is that this emotion is buried, with Jeff Tweedy sneaking it into the track in a veiled scream towards the end.

I'd like to take this time to challenge artists out there to cover any track from a different Wilco album. They have a bunch, and many more good songs. Take a break from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, we already know it rules.

Wilco - "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" (Original)


(For the record, the Bad Plus covered "Radio Cure" on their last album, For All I Care. But to talk about that would take away from JC, not to mention that Wendy Lewis' vocal presence on the album is an interesting turn for the midwest-jazz-crazy-awesome trio.)

REVIEW: Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking it Easy

Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking it Easy

MMMM

So how many of you out there picked up Phosphorescent's last effort, To Willie (Dead Oceans 2009)?

Quinn and I made it down to a small (but awesome club) called the G Spot awhile back and managed to catch Matthew Houck and crew headlining a show (with Deer Tick opening, a great combo). I walked out of the show with the vinyl copy of the Willie Nelson tribute. When we talk about these kind of tributes and re-workings, To Willie makes it up onto my list of greats with all the Townes Van Zandt and Kris Kristofferson covers that Norah Jones has done (especially with her bar band a few years back, The Little Willies). But I'm dating myself.

Top 10 Albums of 2009

Well, it's that time of year again, and, just like last year, I've waited until the very last day of the year to turn in my list of the year's Top 10 albums. I did not get a chance to hear every album that came out this year (but who did that?), so this list was compiled based off of what I managed to hear. Each year I think I am going to finally rank my choices, but, once again, I'm just going to put them in alphabetical order. I guess I'll just prolong the ranking until the 1 in 1,000,000 chance I land a job at a music magazine (rrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiight).

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Probably the most hyped album of 2009. Simplistic, yet in a way, complex all at the same time. When I first listened to it, I just heard a lot of noise. A deeper listen revealed some real pop gems buried in that vast sonic landscape. Maybe this is sacrilege of the highest degree, but when I was listening to this yesterday I pondered if this is what the Beach Boys would sound like in the 21st (or 22nd) century.

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

Many felt Humbug did not live up to its predecessors, but I think it is the band's most mature album to date. Furthermore, it shows a young band that's really growing into themselves as well as their sound. In a decade or so, people are going to look back and hold this album to be that overlooked and underappreciated masterpiece in the band's discography. Sure, Whatever You Say I Am, That's What I'm Not will probably always come to define the band in some way, but Humbug shows immense growth and solidifies their position of significance. The MMMM-rated album was reviewed earlier this year in greater detail.

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

A finely crafted folk rock record, handled very well by the one and only Rick Rubin. Although displaying a certain growth and subtlety on the more mellow numbers, the band show they still know how to rock and run circles around you with their viciously fast-paced lyric delivery on songs such as "Slight Figure of Speech." A great record to drive to, and definitely another album that makes the band significant in today's world of music.

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

I feel like there was probably some expectation that this album would surpass Yellow House, but that album left an indelible mark on the indie music world that is hard to cover up. If Yellow House was Grizzly Bear kicking in the door, Veckatimest is the band moving into their position of prominence. This record is a great deal more involved when it comes to the instrumentation and shows the band's ability to experiment and evolve for the better. With oscillating flourishes of synthesizer and incorporation of more keyboard/organ, Grizzly Bear expand upon their already wide-ranging sound and prove their tight grasp on both harmony, melody, and arrangement.

Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commuter

The former Grandaddy mastermind has one of the most overlooked albums of the year for sure. What really makes this such a great album is Lytle's ability to maintain a balance between singer/songwriter-type songs and grand, symphonic sounding suites. His gentle acoustic strumming is expanded and brought to the sky with the grandeur of the strings/synthesizers weaving in and out, rising and falling throughout the songs. Subtlety becomes disarmingly grand, all the while capable of sounding quite vulnerable, too.

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

The Strokes if they started messing with electro pop? I heard similar-sounding descriptions during the year as "1901" found its way into various elements of American popular culture (Cadillac commercials, "Gossip Girl" episodes, the Grammys). I won't be surprised if people start assuming Phoenix is a U.S. band, much like many just fail to remember that, no, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC are not American.

It's great to finally see the band making it in America, especially considering this is their fourth full-length album. It's catchy, it's well-crafted, it's infectious. I also will forever be amused by the fact that a French band whose singer sings in English is capable of writing better lyrics than most American bands.

St. Vincent - Actor

Any album whose string arrangements were inspired by late night viewings of Disney cartoon films gets my vote for one of the best albums of the year. St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) is a triple threat: a terrific guitarist, songwriter, and singer. Actor displays Clark's confidence and comes across as carefully executed. Even so, the album still sounds relaxed, natural, and, yes, quite seductive. It's a fairy tale of the most peculiar in that it never stays on the beaten path, taking twists and turns from beginning to end.

The Thermals - Now We Can See

Talk about criminally overlooked. Did you all know that The Thermals put out this album in 2009? Yeah, I'm aware that it doesn't have the same kind of bite or impact as its predecessor, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, but it's certainly commendable. I dare say it's one of the best indie rock/power pop records of the past few years. Hutch Harris' lyrics are just as distinct and smart as always. The band's sound is its own, not just strictly familiar. With a solid kick and snare, driving distorted chord progressions, and impassioned vocal delivery, Now We Can See is a consistently strong indie rock album with all the wit and hooks you want.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

It seems like it's the attitude and energy of Fever To Tell combined with the songwriting chops of Show Your Bones. The band never drifts too far into dance rock/synthpop/new wave territory, maintaining their character throughout. With It's Blitz, Yeah Yeah Yeahs prove themselves to be musical chameleons and only intensify the curiosity as to what they will come up with next.

Wilco - Wilco (the album)

To me, it's always seemed like a cop out when a band self titles an album that comes later in its career. In Wilco's case, the playful addition of "(the album)" proves they're not entirely serious (NOTE: "Wilco (the song)"). And yet, the band plays to its strengths and makes a consistent album here that is both characteristically Wilco while still showing signs of experimentation. How fitting that it should be known as Wilco (the album). Here, Jeff Tweedy and Co. make a case for being one of few timeless acts of the past decades.

A Midsummer's Mixtape

Whether you're in the car, chilling by the pool, or out on the deck with a beer or two, this playlist just feels good when you're in the sun and comfortable.

1. Hang On-Dr. Dog (from the album Fate)
2. Midnite Cruiser-Steely Dan (from debut Can't Buy a Thrill)
3. Jonathan Fisk-Spoon (from Kill the Moonlight)
4. Plans-Dinosaur Jr. (from newly released Farm)
5. Two Weeks-Grizzly Bear (from the critically acclaimed Veckatimest)
6. You Are My Face-Wilco (from Sky Blue Sky)
7. Stitched Up- John Mayer and the Herbie Hancock All-Stars (from compilation Possibilities)
8. I Know You Know-Esperanza Spalding (from Esperanza)
9. Guarantees-Atmosphere (from When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
10. Gettin' Up-Q-Tip (from underrated The Renaissance)
11. Good Time-Brazilian Girls (from latest release New York City)
12. Jolene-Cake (from debut Motorcade of Generosity, recently re-released)
13. Baltimore Blues No. 1-Deer Tick (from War Elephant)

Satisfied and Tickled Too

I haven't really been hooked on a song like Dinosaur Jr's latest single "I Want You To Know" from the newly released Farm. It's definitely got the catchiest hooks on the new record and for whatever reason has fulfilled my craving for rocking out lately.

But what makes it so good for me? Well, Dinosaur Jr have always made a name for themselves by turning their amps about as close to 11 as possible and relying on heavy, heavy overdrive. So the single, as well as the rest of the record sounds big. Beyond sheer volume, J Mascis and friends have pulled out a couple of gems, including the single and the ballad-length and multi-faceted "Plans".

What makes Farm so good for me quite simply is that it's a well made rock album. Sometimes when I'm out there looking for music that makes me want to bang my hands on the wheel while I'm driving, all I need is a band that knows how to put together a song add just enough challenges to a simple concept to make the music exciting and interesting...in their new album, I think Dinosaur Jr has done just that. I highly recommend checking out their myspace (link above).

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For other rocking needs, I've been particularly interested in finding new ways to listen to the UK's Manic Street Preachers. I picked up Know Your Enemy in sophomore of high school and have always wanted more. I took the liberty of finding a copy of their fabled record The Holy Bible, which was re-released in the US a few years ago. This a must-have for those who feel like the need a comprehensive catalogue of 90s rock.

Speaking of which, and Quinn will be jazzed about this. I've also got my hands on the classic At The Drive-In record, Relationship of Command. Way back when I thought the Mars Volta were just crazy enough to enjoy...that was when I had just started listening to De-Loused...but their more recent releases -which really rocketed them to stardom- just haven't jived with me. So one night at work, Quinn was telling me about how good a record Relationship is and I've been looking for it. Now I've got it, and I'm quite happy about it.

In other news, the new Wilco album (which is actually called Wilco (The Album) ) is about as stock as Jeffy Tweedy and Co. get. Personally, I find their tendencies to write very catchy geezer-rock/pop songs a bit boring. There's no doubt that Sky Blue Sky features some really great stuff, but the newest realease seems like a hefty dosage of more-of-the-same stuff from that record that sounds good, it just isn't impressive. However, those diehard Wilco fans should make note of "The Jolly Banker", a solid tribute to past country roots.

I thought I'd throw you a link because the band did allow the album to be streamed in full (ok) quality, but it's gone. Take a swing on over to Pitchfork and check in out there when the album is released June 30.

Happy listenings.

MIXTAPES: Back From Break

I'd like to introduce and welcome Simon Pollock to the Mixtape Muse family (Is it really a family if it's just me? The word "team" seems a bit too formal and proper). From time to time, he'll be contributing to the blog, providing show reviews, album reviews, etc. Simon has done work for Boosh Magazine so, rest assured, he's no rookie. Below is his first contribution. I'm sure he'll introduce himself to you all soon.

It’s important to take your work seriously. For a lot of us struggling with everything that fell by the wayside during Spring Break, that requires focus. To borrow from our good friend Geometry,

If focus=being calm and quiet,
and being calm and quiet=having the right music,
then focus=having the right music.

So, sitting in various spots and thinking about what to listen to, I’ve decided to take my first appearance on Mixtape Muse seriously and drop the "Back From Break Playlist," a compilation that looks to combine the tracks stuck in my head and some more relaxing choices in an effort to get you and your college booty into the homeworking groove.

1) Fleet Foxes - "Blue Ridge Mountains" (link)

There’s a lot to be said on and off the Internet about these boys and their enticing blend of bluegrass harmonies with the status of indie-world “it band.” When it comes down to it, nothing beats their simplicity and heart. If nothing else, the soaring melody and well-balanced instrumentation should strike that crucial chord of relaxation.

2) Andrew Bird - "Fiery Crash" (link)

Look no further than the subtle thoughts and subdued emotion of this Chicagoan to keep the music moving in your ears without taking over whatever else you’re trying to focus on.

3) Wilco - "Theologians" (link)

Staying with the Midwest briefly, one of the more acoustic tracks off of Wilco’s 2004 release A Ghost Is Born, an album that –out of their existing library- probably lacks the most direction but has some of the most experimental ideas beyond Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It’s a return to their brilliance in simplicity and it’s one of the most comforting points on the album.

4) The Walkmen - "Louisiana" (link)
Somewhere between a lazy island jam and a slow country ballad, a friend of mine once said that this is the only worthwhile track on 2006’s A Hundred Miles Off.

5) The Velvet Underground - "I’m Sticking With You" (link)

Think about this as a metaphor for your relationship to your work. It’s encouraging.

6) Thelonious Monk - "Blue Monk" (link)
A classic from the Monk. I always find that even among the frantic keystrokes, there’s something about this tune that really sets my mind at ease. In other settings, you can dig harder and snap louder, but while working, look no further than the recording of this track on At Carnegie Hall.

7) The Bad Plus - "Frog and Toad"
Just one hearty romp out of the many fringe-of-jazz tracks this modern trio has to offer. For all you readers 21+, this magnificent act is also out on tour. Look for them in DC next month at the 9:30.

8) Dianne Reeves - "How High the Moon"

(Music from and Inspired by Good Night, and Good Luck.)
Reference the last vocal line on the track: “Yeah, I like it like that.”

9) Dr. Dog - "The Pretender" (link)
A new discovery for me and an album (Easy Beat) that has a lot of promise in its innovation and endurance as a great rock album.

10) Deerhoof - "Blue Cash"
A great end to a great album (Apple O’), not to mention a solid way to round out an hour’s worth of work.

Happy homeworking.

POST: Simon Pollock

IMAGE: nevver