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The most surprising element about Wilco's music (and this album is the best example of this) is the way in which they manage to retain their pop sensibilities throughout often complicated seemingly detached sonic landscapes. The first track on disc 1, Misunderstood, is a perfect example it manages to initially confuse the ear into thinking it is listening to a radiohead B-side before rewarding every doubt with a beautifully simple lament of confusion and longing, and it is in this juxtaposition that the true beauty emerges. You begin to wish that you had written this song and when you see the chords you are fooled momentarily into thinking you could have. Before i digress into the conclusion i should mention some of the highlights. Red Eyed and Blues emerges as a contender from the middle of disc 1 and Sunken Treasure introduces disc 2 to amazing effect. I often judge an albums greatness based on the first and last songs and this does not disappoint on that level either, when 'the Lonely 1' ends you think there is no way they can top that for a finale, you would be wrong.
Each of the 19 songs has merit and class taking you into backwater Nashville one moment, then into the Midwest for a spell then into the dark recesses of the mind the next. It is in this blend of styles that the excellence of the album lies, yes some of the songs stand out on their own but like all good coffee, it is all in the blend. Being There is at its best when listened to as it was intended, from start to finish.
It is truly a fantastic double album up there with, Exile on Main St. and in some ways similar. Buy it and listen to it on repeat until you want to write a review on Amazon, then and only then will you know how i feel.
The first half of this album is divine. Anyone who is sceptical to start with will instantly be won over by listening to Misunderstood, the opener which dispels any notions that this is a superficial or what you see is what you get album. It starts off with a Radiohead like fuzz intro, then gives way to a beautiful, touching melody. The lyrics are heartfelt and intimate; 'when you're back in your old neighbourhood the cigarettes taste so good'.
Many of Wilco's best moments come when they use just two chords and simple chord changes. The country acoustic styles suit the band very well. Red Eyed and Blue is a greast illustration of this, just Tweedy's singing and the guitarist's strumming. Forget the Flowers is another typical country rock track, with twangy guitar lines intertwining and a ukulele behind. The Lonely One is another soft, acoustic number, truly poetic and elegant. The potency of Tweedy's lyrics are fully revealed and the song becomes as much about the words as the music.
However, that isn't to say Wilco can't work outside the box. Far Away is a beautiful track with a soaring melody backed by a keyboard and guitar, influencing by jazz and clearly by Pink Floyd (not just in the title, but in the soft groove). Following along the classic rock lines Somebody Else's Song is rather Beatle's Norwegian Woodesque. I Got You is a straight up rocker, Say You Miss me a gorgeous pop track with an uplifting harmony.
This is one of my favourite albums of all time, an eclectic albums that merges many different styles but delivers them all with the same tear rendering beauty and harmony.
The dynamics across each tune are stunning - from Misunderstood, where acoustic guitars give way to ragged Crazy Horse style feedback, through to the Rolling Stones-esque rock and roll tunes (Monday, Outtamind (outta sight)) Wilco create beautiful renditions of music from an age gone by but manage to keep it sounding fresh and contemporary through clever arrangement and Tweedy's vocal yearnings. Rather than repeat this sound on their next album, Wilco moved in favour of a more rock orientated sound for Summerteeth. However, if you are looking for a definitive homage to old school American rock and roll/country, there is no better album for you to own. As well as being a fascinating history lesson in music, it stands head and shoulders above most other albums of this type released in the 1990s. Long after people have forgotten that bands such as the Counting Crows existed, someone somewhere will still be playing this album to death.
Wow! Jeff Tweedy and the boys have made a very special, very ambitious album - a huge advance on their not-too-shoddy "A.M. Read more
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