Monday, March 17, 2014
Fifth Time's The Charm?
The Autumn Defense, a side project of Wilco's John Stirratt, have been making records since 2001. Their debut, "The Green Hour" had a wonderful vibe, with sounds and harmonies evoking the usual pop suspects like The Beach Boys, The Byrds and Bread. They got an A for effort, but ultimately needed something a bit deeper and eventually I lost interest.
In their...uh...defense...I hadn't bothered with any of the band's subsequent releases...until now.
Their just released fifth record, "Fifth" feels right. Stronger than the debut in just about every department. Same influences, yet deeper and smarter.
Can anyone tell me if albums two through four are worth exploring, because I'm loving # 5.
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8 comments:
ooooh, that's a great tune. I have been debating whether to investigate. That just put me over the edge. John and Pat are the unsung heros of Wilco, IMHO. Gonna take a chance and buy the latest.
Let me start by saying: I don't get Wilco. I've tried over and over but "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" leaves me completely cold.
But I *really like* the previous Autumn Defense albums (as well as "Fifth") Nothing ground-breaking here, but very, very pleasant melodies and song structure.
Shriner, I don't want to assume you've ONLY heard "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," but as a Wilco fanatic, that is NOT the record to listen to if you're trying to get in.
May I suggest "Summerteeth," which is not only my favorite Wilco record, but one of my favorite records of all time. To my ears it's "Wild Honey-era" Beach Boys, jangly power pop and some of that alt-country that they are known for, thrown in for good measure.
all of them have their great moments Sal none are bad... you need them?
Assume away -- I've *only* heard YHF -- because that was the one *everybody* recommended.
I've tried 2-3 times and it left me cold. Maybe there are other, better, albums, but if this was the one held up as a pinnacle, it didn't make me want to search out others.
Maybe I'll give Summerteeth a shot...my local library has 6 copies...
I actually prefer the previous album, Once Around, to this new one.
Maybe start with "Once Around?" Thanks patti.
i like circles best but thats only because i saw them at sxsw during that time
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