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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
On A Ghost Is Born, Wilco singer, songwriter and supreme commander Jeff Tweedy leads his former alt.country colleagues on another journey towards the leftfield, with Sonic Youth's Jim O'Rourke once again handling co-production duties. But in many ways, it represents a slight backstep from the direction hinted at on its acclaimed successor Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is by no means a bad thing. Like Lambchop's best work, it's an album that's full of clever experimentalism and understated studio trickery, yet one where Wilco's very human and very organic core is highlighted, most likely because of Tweedy's dusty past with alt.country mavericks Uncle Tupelo. To Wilco's credit, the songs on A Ghost Is Born never suffer from over-production or wilful contrivance. Even on a 10-minute epic such as "Spiders", they manage to keep the listener's interest with a simple, driving rhythm and gradual layers of guitars, before the song bursts forth in the fourth minute. It's an extended jam, sure, but it's never dull--a remarkable feat in itself. In fact, A Ghost Is Born harks back to Wilco's altogether excellent second album, Being There, an innovative and original take on country rock and pop. That alone puts it up with the best of their work. --Robert Burrow
Product Description
Amazing, boundary-pushing 2004 album recorded with Jim O'Rourke
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Count B'lah
Format:Audio CD
I can appreciate that people may feel disappointed with this album. It takes a different approach to previous albums, gone are the samples and electronica of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, replaced instead with layers of echoing guitar distortion. This is not entirely uncharted territory for Wilco reminiscent of songs like Being There's Misunderstood or Summerteeth's via Chicago. It may be difficult the first time through but after three weeks listening I now love the dirge of Less Than You Think and the disco/prog rock love child Spiders as much as the melodic folk of Hummingbird or classic rocker The Late Greats. If you are looking to buy your first Wilco record this would not be the place to start: you would be far better off buying 2001's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. However, if you are already a convert or a fan of Jim O'Rouke's work you will find this a very rewarding album. I'd even go as far as saying it is my favourite album of 2004 so far.
Another reason to buy this album not mentioned in the other reviews is that if you have an internet connection stick it in your CD-ROM drive to listen to a complete streaming concert recorded live at the Vic Theatre, Chicago. The set list is:
via Chicago
The Late Greats
Company in My Back
Hummingbird
Radio Cure
At Least That's What You Said
Hell Is Chrome
I am trying to break your heart
Kamera
Handshake Drugs
Wishful Thinking
Shot in the arm
War on war
Muzzle of Bees
Jesus, etc.
Poor places
Spiders
I'm the man who loves you
I'm a wheel
Kicking television (previously unreleased song)
Heavy metal drummer
California Stars
Passenger Side
The lonely 1
Misunderstood
If like me you have trouble playing this concert, download the newest version of Quicktime from apple.com.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Bradley
Format:Audio CD
I was turned on to Wilco when a review described 1999's Summer Teeth as a 'bar room Sergeant Pepper'. A big shiny record, taking the passion of Elvis Costello and the Byrds jangle to another place. Better still, 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, whose story is brilliantly told on 'I am trying to make a film' (DVD), where producer Jim O'Rourke replaces the previous sheen with interference, unsettling arrangements and heart-breaking honesty, culminating in what was up till then, the best music Tweedy & co had put out.
YHF raised my expectations to impossible levels, but 'A ghost is born' takes us to a new place where the influence of O'Rourke is present, but takes second place to a more organic, engaging sound where musical conventions are stripped down and re-worked with warmth, passion and some good humour. Spiders (Kidsmoke) is ten minuteslong, but you're disappointed when it finishes. Muzzle of Bees is otherworldy, but engaging and melodic. 'I'm a wheel' recalls Heavy Metal Drummer from YHF and 'the late greats' mixes Neil Young & Crazy Horse's 'Home grown' with Tweedy's experimental vision. You would even forgive them for the 12 minutes of drone contained within 'Less than you think' such is the power of this record.
It's many years since I listened to a record for the first time and knew I'd got a hold of a classic. 'A ghost is born' lifts the spirits and should be used by all right thinking parents to turn their kids on to something genuinely inspiring. Five stars, no question, probably one of the best ten records I've ever heard.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Despite what the other reviewer has said, Wilco can hardly be accused of ripping off their fans. This new 2cd version of the album has 5 extra tracks, but as anyone who knows this band can tell you, the band has offered a lot of downloads from their website, so Wilco are clearly not to be lumped in with other acts who do rip off fans!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
best ever
brilliant get it. never get tired of listening to this brilliant album. every track a gem a must have .
Published 2 months ago by iceman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not one of their best
I recently listened to this album again, wondering why it had lain languishing in my CD rack for so long unplayed. Read more
Published on 16 May 2011 by Progressive Panda
4.0 out of 5 stars
Toughest Wilco album to get into......
This album was my first taste of Wilco, after buying this along with the latest (Wilco the album). I am slowly (very slowly) coming round to it now after 6 weeks. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2010 by Mr. Jonathan Robin Oxley
1.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly dreadful!
What can one say? Some Wilco CDs are great. This is not one of them. I guess all artists need to get things out of their system sometimes - I hope that having done so, Wilco can... Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2009 by Sigrid
2.0 out of 5 stars
over and out
Ok context first. I came to the band via Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt. I expected something different as Farrar and Tweedy would presumably still be together, but I was still hopeful of... Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by Gizmophobic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Pure & Simple
Most bands would struggle to beat an album like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but Wilco potentially go one better here.
Simple musical bliss!
Simple musical bliss!
Published on 14 Mar 2009 by Mr. Al Price
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Four Star Classic
Following up the truly magnificent `Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' was never going to be easy, but with `A Ghost Is Born' Wilco has managed to produce a record of equal impact if not of... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by D. Newton
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Four Star Classic
Following up the truly magnificent `Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' was never going to be easy, but with `A Ghost Is Born' Wilco has managed to produce a record of equal impact if not of... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by D. Newton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ghost in the machine (8/10)
All the acrimony surrounding the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, in which Wilco left Warner/Reprise to resist attempts to make the record more commericially viable, seems bizarre... Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2008 by Demob Happy
5.0 out of 5 stars
krautrock americana
This album shows how well Wilco mix melody and tunefulness witha more experimental side. 'At least that's what you said' has got to be one of the best opening tracks of all time,... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2008 by T. Ackerman
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