Agreed. When people ask me what my favorite albums are, I usually say Son Volt Trace and Tool Lateralus. Then I hear something like "Who in the fxck is Son Volt?"
Thanks for doing this ranking. Trace is absolutely one of the greatest all-time albums. I saw Son Volt in San Francisco a couple of months ago doing their Doug Sahm tribute and in the middle of the set they did the entire Trace album in order. I'm 77 and this was such a highlight never to be forgotten.
Summerteeth is their masterpiece. The songwriting on that album is on a whole other level. Not pretentious experimentation or any of that shit but just first class songwriting. Thank you for the effort
Best thing I've ever seen on RUclips. Thank God I found it. Such a wealth of knowledge. Great forking job. AM has to be higher, though. And now I'll watch it again. Thank you muchly.
Me again. Thank you again & so much. You have brought to my attention music I didn't know existed . Know that your work is well worth... all of your time and mine !! TY Red
I absolutely loved this series. You know I am not a country or much of an alt-country fan, but I do respect the genres and the major players. That said, this series especially the way you spoke of your top 10, I now have an interest to go see if any or some connect with me. Your passion for Jay and Jeff and their collaborative efforts really comes through, and to be honest is very infectious. Great job bud, one of your best for sure!
Uncle Tupelo was instrumental in opening a whole world of music for me to discover. Not only the country side of things, but even punk. I don’t know if I’d be into The Minutemen or The Replacements if not for Uncle Tupelo. Thanks for the kind words, and putting in the time, Tim. Cheers, brother! ✌🏻
Loved this. I recently saw Son Volt play the songs of Trace and Doug Sahm live in LA. Outstanding. As a Tupelo/Wilco/Son Volt fan, happy to see this as your #1. Totally agree. It's a perfect album.
Thanks for watching! I missed them coming through the Carolinas earlier this year. Had all the intentions of going but just couldn’t get away. Haven’t seen Jay & Company perform in many years. Want to get back out to see them.
@TheDigitalGramophone I was set to travel to Asheville to catch SV on that tour but missed it due to a family event. Can't wait until they come back our way.
Hi sad bastard --- I found your channel about 4 days ago... watched both of the parts of these videos --- making a spotify play list of all the albums as I went --- thank you so much!!! Super educational and I'm so glad (as a huge wilco fan) to hear all the cousins of their sound. Muchas gracias.
Hi Jon - Sky Blue Sky has a typo - drop the 0 & use the 1 ! It's my favorite Wilco album & as you state love the 70's vibe. This was a confident band in a groove , a smooth groove. Play Ball ! 👌
Sky Blue Sky is just a fantastic rock n roll record. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I love all those songs live - when I’ve heard them. 3:05pm EST tomorrow! Max Fried wins the Braves first game of the season. ⚾️ Cheers, David!
Your graphics that introduce each album are really pretty. I just wanna say that, since doing those kind of can be a pain, I appreciate those little touches. Did you put those together yourself? The last song that played just before rank 6, I think I have that one on of the CDs my brother has sent me. I’ve put Summerteeth in my list of albums to get. You did a great job on this. It’s looks like you put a lot of thought into it. Even though you didn’t take notes, it shows the depth of your collected thoughts are on these bands.
That clip was "I Can't Stand It" off Summerteeth. I think you'd really dig that one and I'm not surprised it was on a CD from your brother. I did make the number graphics. But, I don't like them, and I was lazy in not animating them. I'm really lazy with these videos compared to what I could do. As you well know, production takes time, and I devote way too much of time to this as it is. Thanks for hanging out, Brother Eric! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Cheers!
@@TheDigitalGramophone Yes, I found the song and it is “I Can’t Stand It”. My brother does have that album. I will be on the look out for that record. I’ve added animations and that does also add work. Getting any FX streamlined is key.
I saw Son Volt at the Dingo Bar in Albuquerque for the Trace tour before Drown got super big and it was a defining show for me. It was mind blowing, and I was immediately hooked. Great breakdown of the bands many albums and I love how we were in the same camp (Farrar) and likely had a similar trajectory into appreciating them both equally.
Would have loved to see them then! They did play in my hometown in a small club on the Trace tour. But I wasn’t old enough to get in back then. 😄 Thanks for the great comment! Cheers! ✌🏻
This has prompted me to revisit a few albums that I hadn't listened to in a while, so thanks. I realize that I'm probably venturing into a hornet nest here, but having all this is one place so to speak, has affirmed the belief that my 10 favorite Farrar songs are all UT songs, while my 10 favorite Tweedy songs are probably 7 Wilco and 3 UT. Listening to Son Volt makes me wish I were listening to Uncle Tupelo. It's not that I think Son Volt is less than good, I just feel that Jay was at the height of his powers with UT. Jeff's arguably was there at the Summerteeth YHF confluence.
There is no doubt all my favorite Tweedy songs are Wilco songs. Farrar more of an even mix. Maybe I’ll do a Top Ten songs for each writer. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers ✌🏻
Uncle Tupelo played the Rathskeller at UNC-Charlotte in 1992, my freshman year of college. I had just heard No Depression and it changed my world. I unfortunately found out too late and it was one of there last shows together. I got WAY into them.....I've heard it ALL. Saw Son-Volt a few times, couldn't get into Wilco, but I cannot agree more, STILL FEEL GONE is their best. It's a timeless masterpiece and nothing similar has been recorded since, nothing. I enjoyed your dissection of the two directions Jeff and Jay went when describing Anodyne. Jay always spoke to me more.
I was Team Jay for many years. But Yankee Hotel Foxtrot elevated my love for Wilco. Electric Melodier was a welcome surprise last year. Jay’s best since Okemah imo. Thanks for watching and commenting! ✌🏻
I was a big fan of Sky Blue Sky when it was released. Nels Cline really made it for me on that one I think. That said, probably haven't listened to it much over the last decade. May need to fix that. I saw Son Volt for each of the first three records but for Wide Swing Tremelo it wasn't on purpose - but it was delightful. Summerteeth is terrific. Can't really argue with any of the albums in your top five. Have you considered doing something like this but with several artists with no connection to each other? That might be a fun exercise. Cheers!
Nels Cline’s solos (on Side with the Seeds and Impossible Germany especially) were the only thing I really liked about Sky Blue Sky for awhile when it first came out. But, gradually, it grew on me. Which I find really ironic. Their most straight-ahead record since A.M. and it took time to grow on me. I saw Son Volt at a “festival.” Then I saw them at a small club in South Carolina on the Wide Swing Tremolo tour. That show was a religious experience for me. I tried to talk to Jay at the bar. I don’t know what I said. It’s probably best I don’t remember. I think this Top 5 is impenetrable. I’m that confident in it. So are, literally, dozens upon dozens of rock critics that forged my opinion. Just because I know people are sick of pedal steel on this channel, I’m doing my Top 50 Alt-Country/Americana albums soon. After that, I will be ranking my favorite 42 albums by The Decemberists, Black Sabbath, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and The Ohio Players. But they might have too much in common. Thanks, Sam. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. ✌🏻
Just found your lists and can't agree more I bought Still Feel Gone on the day it came out in Springfield Mo and it still gets played by me at least once a month. I saw Uncle Tupelo's second to last show ever together in Springfield at the Regency Showcase. Trace is by far my favorite of all the albums in both their catalogs. We need to get a beer. Tell me you're in the Northeast.
Jealous that you got to see Tupelo at all, much less their second to last show. I'm just glad I saw the original Son Volt lineup. Thanks for watching! Cheers!
I really like your analysis. Great job. A am also very aligned with your list, except I would switch Anodyne and Still Feel Gone as well as Trace and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. So 1) Yankee Hotel Foxtrot 2) Anodyne 3) Trace. Emotionally, and from a songwriting standpoint, I love Trace, but... Anodyne was Uncle Tupelo really hitting their prime (unfortunately it ended too soon), and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a masterpiece up there with Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds, imo. Thanks for the video!
So, objectively, I would agree that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the best album on this list. This was mostly based on preference and significance to me, though. I don’t necessarily consider Anodyne a better album just because they were getting better at their craft. Anodyne is just more polished, but I wouldn’t say the songs themselves are leaps and bounds above previous material. I think if Uncle Tupelo stayed together for one more album, there’s a good chance Anodyne could have been considered “transitional.” But we’ll never know that. Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
I'm a year late, but this was incredible. I don't have the wealth of knowledge on Farrar's catalogue that you have, and have definitely cooled on Tweedy the last decade or so. Your video definitely has me motivated to check out at least a couple of your top selections that I am not as familiar with. I heard "Box Full of Letters" on local radio when I was 17 and soon bought "A.M." That song and album eventually led me to all things Alt Country, but I think that is partially why I am a much bigger Tweedy guy, though I love some of Farrar's stuff. My Top 10: 1. Being There (favorite track: "Misunderstood") 2. Anodyne ("New Madrid") 3. Trace ("Tear-Stained Eye") 4. YHF ("I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" 5. Summerteeth "A Shot in the Arm" 6. Sky Blue Sky ("Hate It Here") 7. A.M. ("Pick Up the Change" 8. Still Feel Gone ("Looking For a Way Out") 9. Straightaways ("No More Parades") 10. A Ghost is Born ("Handshake Drugs")
One of my best friends from college (I believe I mention him in the video) heard Wilco’s AM before any Tupelo or Son Volt and has a very similar relationship to Tweedy as you. Totally get it. Won’t argue with your list either. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
I don’t know how I just stumbled across your channel, but the entire time I was think “ trace better me number one “. I need to acquaint myself with more alt country fans.
Great video Jon! I love seeing someone who loves a band or artist and talks about them passionately. You've reeled me into Spoon when you did a video on them and now you've reeled me into Wilco. Like I said in my part 1 comment, The Whole Love and, someday, No Depression are all I've got, but now I need more. My wallet hates you but a vinyl addicts gotta do what a vinyl addicts gotta do. Hope you do more rankings in the future, but you'll still never change my mind about TMR 😉. Love ya brother.
I think you’d like Wilco, Jeff. You check out Sky Blue Sky. The guitars! My God, the guitars! Don’t you have Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1? Or did I just make that up? Thanks for watching, Jeff. I love being an influence. 😎😆 Cheers, buddy. ✌🏻
Loved this, Jon. Richness abounds here in this whole series, but is dialled up as you count these down. From that great stand up-esque intro, to the intricacies on Bennett+Tweedy and how the influence of Farrar and Tweedy manifested in their post-UT paths. Great descriptions and insights on SBS and Ghost (especially about your view on the mix as a listener on the latter vs the intentions of the band). Or the "end times dialogue" Farrar falls into. Personally very happy to see Summerteeth sneak into the top 5. I love hearing that splitting of bands into members projects in their final albums, so I need to go check out Anodyne (still feel gone too, for that matter - the description of it having a "working man's political philosophy... of feeling stuck" is a very powerful one to me). Number one was a slight surprise (I figured it might be top 5), but when you go on to describe just how it's integrated itself into so many moments of your life (the "darkest moments... which is why it's a great road trip album" - that's soul poetry), and leaving us with the last clip - yeah, I'm seeing exactly why it's yr #1. Great job on this alleged "shitshow", Jon. The whole two parter was a joy to watch, and proof that notes are superfluous when you're speaking from the heart (plus the fact your mind has driven these roads of thought for 10/15/20 years!!). Brilliant.
You’ll hear me revisit a number of these albums. Sooner than later. 😉 But later, too. Eventually people will get tired of me talking about Trace. 🤣 Yes! You definitely need to check out Anodyne and Still Feel Gone. March 16-20, 1992 is brilliant, too. All are available on reissue currently. The first three are all MoV though.
Really enjoyed this! Kind of blew my mind but after considering it probably too long I'd have the same top 3 in that same order. What drew me in was wondering where you had Still Feel Gone because for me it's above and beyond my top Uncle Tupelo - just doesn't miss. Trace is also in my personal all-time top 10. Pretty envious of Wide Swing Tremolo on vinyl, had me checking on Discogs and it's currently a tad rich for my blood. Also, gonna give Sebastapol another run-it's been years...
Hey, thanks for watching! Yeah, this was a pretty ridiculous exercise. Ha. But fun videos to make. When I got back into vinyl full-time (around 12 years ago) I sought out everything Uncle Tupelo-family related immediately online. I actually bought Wide Swing Tremolo from the Son Volt website. I couldn’t believe they still had copies. But even then Uncle Tupelo on vinyl was really expensive. So with the exception of the Still Feel Gone/March 16-20 two-fer, I’ve had to settle for reissues as they’ve come available. Yeah, definitely revisit Sebastopol. Still love that album. Cheers ✌🏻
Anodyne is a break-up album. The whole second half of the record is about splitting up. Looking back on it, it's almost like they ordered the tracks to tell fans, "Yeah, this is it for the band. Fuck that other guy."
Great job, thanks. I'm sure we all have our different opinions, but overall I agree with the general trends. For me, Still Feel Gone is the best Uncle Tupelo album, Trace is the best Son Volt album, and also the best album of all-time. The 20th anniversary version with the live tracks and demos is worth seeking out. It is nice to see Sebastopol ranked so high.
I have Live from the Bottom Line recorded in 1996. It’s fantastic. My 20th anniversary edition is the album only. Sebastopol doesn’t get enough love. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
Okay you've convinced me. I'm going to go through my boxes of CDs and find all my Son Volt and Wilco and put them in the car to listen. I haven't heard them in forever, and then I might have to pick up some vinyl, maybe the other UT albums. On a side note Allison Brown went into the studio with Bobby Osborne for his 89th birthday. She produced him cutting the Haggard song White Line Fever with an all star lineup. But before she did as asked Jeff Tweedy to add another verse to the song to honor Bobby's 60 plus years on the road. I haven't heard it yet and don't know if it is a stand alone single, maybe just as a download or something, or if it will be part of a full blown physical album release. Take care friend.
Heard of Alison Brown. Not sure I’m aware of Bobby Osborne. So, yeah, I don’t know of anything you’re talking about Elliott. 🤣😂 Check out some Son Volt and Wilco again! I hope you find something in it that you didn’t before. Thanks for watching, my friend. Cheers! ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone You know Bobby, just need a reminder. The Osborne Brothers (Sonny and Bobby) the bluegrass band starting in the 1950s, had the big hit with Rocky Top in the early 60s. They were around forever even dared to mike up and play electric bango, electric guitar, and use drums sometimes. Great harmony singers. I listened to the song, it's on you tube now. At 89 his voice is still strong, It's played at a mid tempo and I recognized the Tweedy verses as they reference Osborne's years on the road and Kentucky and Ohio where he is from. Those Son Volt and Wilco cds are going with me to the beach, I know I've got the first Son Volt and Being there, maybe one or two more! Take care friend.
Hey Jon, Very enjoyable again. Also the footage throughout. I understand that well about albums that sound completely different in the car vs. at home. Notes or no notes, you spoke from the heart here, very much conveying your passion for these artists, and I appreciate that the most. :-) Thanks for sharing. -Carm
Hey Carm. Maybe one day after staring into the abyss that is my camera phone I will sound as eloquent as you or Shannon or Dean. I doubt it, though. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I hope you are doing well. Cheers!
I really like "Sky Blue Sky" as well, glad it's getting some respect. maybe because it was my first Wilco album... also saw them live around that time and was truly impressed by Nels Cline's playing.
It seems like there are a number of Wilco fans whose entry point was Sky Blue Sky. It makes sense for a band that’s been around close to 30 years. I’ve seen Wilco several times live, but my first time wasn’t until 2003. So even though I’ve been listening to them from the jump, most of my concert experiences have been with the current lineup. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
To be honest I have tried to get into Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo and it has never clicked. I would but their CDs with the expectation that this time I will get it, I will dig it and my life will be changed. I still never saw the Phoenix arise from the ashes when I put it on. I will stream it again. I tried to be cool and like Foxtrot Hotel. I guesss some people aren’t just made to be cool. Steve. I play grandpa rock
Maybe one day they’ll have a mono box set from Mobile Fidelity, Steve, and you can try again. Hahaha! Thanks for stopping by, Steve. Hope all is well. Cheers! ✌🏻
Fantastic, I have 1-4 same order! But your #7 is my #5 Thanks for sharing . Gonna take some of this stuff out tonight. (Same across you today courtesy of Penge & Derrick!)
That is amazing we have the same Top 4 in the same order. I am familiar with your channel and honored you stopped by, Ben. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch. That is one top notch referral coming from Penge & Derrick. Cheers good sir ✌🏻
After meeting someone who absolutely loved Wilco and hearing so much about them on NPR, I finally gave them a listen. I wasn’t really crazy about them, and didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. It’s all changed when I listen to the Kicking Television album. We’re only a few songs that I don’t love on it
My favorite of all these albums is Sky Blue Sky 10/10. It's very hard to compare all the 90's albums with YHF and everything that came after it. In my mind, I see UT and SV as very similar and Wilco as very different. Wilco and Jeff Tweedy are amazing live. I have not kept up with Jay since Sebastopol. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
That’s great to hear that Sky Blue Sky is your favorite. Not enough people stick up for that album. I agree that SV and UT are a lot more similar as Jay Farrar has rarely left his alternative country roots behind since leaving Uncle Tupelo. Wilco is an amazing act live. I’ve only seen them about 6 times over 18 years. Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I think I've seen them four times. Once in Chicago when they were filming for "Kicking Television" and I saw them back to back nights in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The 2nd night it rained like crazy-- awesome experience. I also saw them play a show with Bob Dylan at Jones Beach.
Thanks for putting this list together. I'm obviously very partial to Anodyne. Nice vinyl collection. Grew up with vinyl and not going back there--LOL. IMO CD's are the best consumer music format that you can also hold in your hand. Cheers & -Thanks again.
Oh the vinyl thing. Yeah. I question myself everyday about it. I still get CDs from time to time, too. Still have hundreds of them. In fact, I still have the Legacy CD reissues of all of Tupelo's albums. Ha. I got rid of the earlier CD presses, though. Thanks for watching! Amazed so many people are watching these videos! Cheers
Even though Wilco played a huge part in those sessions, Billy Bragg’s influence was so strong that I didn’t feel like I could include them in what I was doing here. Mermaid Avenue 1 is fantastic. 2 was pretty good but I never listen to it now. By the third set of songs, I was kind of exhausted by all the material. Just me.
@@TheDigitalGramophone I too love the 1st one and love some songs on #2. Seeing play Remember My Mountain Bed Live is a real treat. The lyrical density of that song is unmatched. I do not own the 3rd album. Great reviews.
For me AGIB is when I started disconnecting from the new records but Sky Blue Sky was the exception. That's a great record. Same for Son Volt's The Search, which is the best of the post-WST records. Out of all them, my top 3 are: Trace, Summerteeth, and Anodyne.
@@TheDigitalGramophone I just saw them two nights ago without hearing the new record but the 3-4 songs they played from it sounded good so I'm looking forward to checking it out.
Thanks for this. I KNEW you would be like me and put Still Feel Gone at the top for UT. That record takes my breath away. I drive my band mates nuts because I'm always wanting to cover songs from that record. I love Trace and not sure which i would've put at number one, but respect your choice. Always heard all of Jeff's songs on Anodyne as pleas to Jay not to end it. Really fun watch. I need to dig into Wilco a bit more and you've given me good guidance there, so thanks. Haven't liked the last two SV records. Feel like Jay has abandoned his poetic 'Dylan' type writing in favor of this bare bones political shite that i can't listen to. Anyhow, thank you! Loved it!
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed. Definitely dive into Wilco more. Being There. Summerteeth. YHF. All brilliant albums. One of America’s greatest ever rock bands, truthfully. Cheers ✌🏻
WST should never be outside of the Top 3 when it comes to Son Volt. It’s sacrilege to rank any album without the original lineup higher than 3. Them’s the rules. 🤣 Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
I agree with you on your view about them going different directions. You can hear the lack of effort on Jay’s part. That being said, I started following Jay’s music after this. Tweedy seemed like he was after fame. Son Volt at Pappy and Harriet’s tomorrow night. Be there!
Jay’s lack of effort? When? He was becoming a better songwriter with every Uncle Tupelo release. I meant you could tell Jeff was steering further away from country roots on Anodyne. Still very much country rock, but his songs seemed to have more growth on that album. Knowing what I know about him now. He was always into many more genres of music than Jay was. Also, I don’t agree Jeff was chasing fame. Wilco doesn’t exactly write hits. Thanks for watching and enjoy the show! Cheers ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I am referring to Jay’s backing vocals. It sounds like he didn’t want to be there. I can’t wait for the show tomorrow night. I’ve been listening to everything Jay has done since the UT days.
When you showed part one of this video I had to start breaking out my Jeff tweedy and Wilco and Son vote albums. Sky blue sky is a good album man, I saw that documentary you spoke of and even now I'm a big fan of Jeff tweeties I kind of thought he was a dick for the way he fired Jay..lol. now that he's clean he seems to be a much nicer guy Great video man
I still need to read Jeff’s book and see what he says about it in retrospect. The documentary was painful to watch at moments. Lots of tension. Ultimately, I think it was a toxic relationship - Bennett/Tweedy. Addiction sucks. Yeah. Sky Blue Sky is just a great rock n roll album! What’s wrong with that? Nothing. Thanks for watching, Rod. Cheers! ✌🏻
@@williamdillard4291 I’ve always wondered which story is more accurate, that of Jeff pining for Jay’s girlfriend, or if they broke up because of Jay being domineering and trying to steer the band in his direction. It is telling that Heidorn was an original member of Son Volt, though. Without a doubt, Anodyne documented their crumbling relationship.
I listened to Being There many many times back in the day even though I didn't really like it, bc critics loved it and I knew that for the very best songwriting, repeated listens are necessary before the brain fully absorbs and appreciates the music. I eventually gave up. Wilco just doesn't really do it for me.
Putting Trace at the top reveals your Farrar bias. (For the record, I’ve got a strong Tweedy bias and put Ghost far above everything). However, your ranking highlights what I see as the fundamental difference between the two. Jay has spent his career chasing his first record (Trace), while Jeff has spent his career running from his first (AM). Also, nice call on putting Still Feel Gone so high. Well argued.
Dude. Don’t ever tell somebody how they feel. I by FAR have a Tweedy bias now. And I have ever since YHF came out. Trace is just my favorite album from these discographies. I also think it’s incredibly reductive to say Farrar has been chasing his first album. Just the difference in sound between Trace and Wide Swing Tremolo or Sebastopol renders that notion obsolete. Has Farrar branched out in genre exploration as much as Tweedy? No. But Tweedy has always been into a wide variety of music. He’s talked about that quite a bit in interviews and his book. I would say my higher rankings for Trace and the Tupelo albums are purely based in nostalgia. As I say in the video… I’m not a critic or a writer or a self-proclaimed expert. I’m a fan. I chose the albums in the order I fanboy out on them. Thanks for watching.
Now and then it keeps you running It never seems to die The trail's spent with fear Not enough living on the outside Never seem to get far enough Staying in between the lines Hold on to what you can Waiting for the end Not knowing when May the wind take your troubles away May the wind take your troubles away Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel May the wind take your troubles away Trying to make it far enough, to the next time zone Few and far between past the midnight hour You never feel alone, you're really not alone Switching it over to AM Searching for a truer sound Can't recall the call letters Steel guitar and settle down Catching an all-night station somewhere in Louisiana It sounds like 1963, but for now it sounds like heaven May the wind take your troubles away May the wind take your troubles away Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel May the wind take your troubles away May the wind take your troubles away May the wind take your troubles away 👍🏻✌🏻
That beginning clip of Jeff - I have never seen him more personable - he would do well to present THAT side of him, because that certainly wasn't the way he came off in the documentary or any interviews I have seen. Still can't listen to the Dead, still annoyed by their fans. I also agree, YHF is in the top 100 rock albums ever made (proof because I am here and not particularly a fan of the rest of the albums you have shown :) )
Tweedy is a really funny guy. I know what you’re referring to, and that’s true too. But, I’ve just started his memoir and it’s full of wit. I have my limits with The Dead. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a masterpiece. I would think being a fan of The Beach Boys that you’d really like Summerteeth, too.
@@TheDigitalGramophone I remember it coming out of the same time as wilkos am and I thought for sure that son vote was just going to be huge. I was working at KFAN 107.9 at the time in the Texas Hill country, the week that it came out we saw Steve Earle at the backyard in Austin and he covered tear stained eyes..
@@happyhippythevinylguy Yeah. Steve Earle was a vocal supporter of that album at that time. I think he even had one his patented hot takes calling Farrar the best singer in country music at the time.
Hey Farley. Can’t say I agree with your take on Tweedy, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic. Thanks for watching! Keep those Decemberists spins coming. ✌🏻
Blue sky blue made me appreciate Wilco more. When Yankee hotel came out I sold my copy after hearing it a couple times. Too much static and noise. I didn’t wanna be around for more of that. Guess I always preferred a classic sound?
@@TheDigitalGramophone No problem. Us country folk pronounce it MAD-rid. The town is called New Madrid because the original town of Madrid sunk to the bottom of the Mississippi River in the earthquake of 1812. Awesome video!
I understand the natural inclination to compare Farrar and Tweedy but it doesn't have to be one or the other. We can all agree that together, they created an absolutely amazing band, and apart, they created two amazing bands. And our lives are enriched by that. That being said, Farrar is clearly better.
@@TheDigitalGramophone Well, the first part of my post was sincere. I like a lot of Wilco's music. But from their UT days, I've always preferred Farrar -- his voice, his obvious love for roots Americana, and his ability to write both the forlorn and the rockin'. To me, he's a legend. Enjoyed these two videos.
@@andan04 I did prefer Farrar in the Tupelo days as well. I believe Tweedy has even said Jay was just more seasoned than him in those days. Btw… I’d rank the new Son Volt album pretty high. Maybe their best since Okemah. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
I don't quite get the YHF hype. It's an interesting album soundwise, and Glenn Kotche's drumming brings sn exciting new element, but i still feel it mostly lacks great songs...
I disagree on the lack of great songs. “Jesus, Etc.” itself is an all-time classic. It’s just a different vibe and an album that takes multiple listens to really absorb. It could also have something to do with when you encounter it. Kotche made such an impact on this band when he joined. Cheers! ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone true that. I mean, Wilco songs in general don't stand out as radio anthems. "How to fight loneliness" was the first one i heard and loved.
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Trace is the best record of the last 40 years. I not only love it, I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t love it
Agreed. When people ask me what my favorite albums are, I usually say Son Volt Trace and Tool Lateralus. Then I hear something like "Who in the fxck is Son Volt?"
A true classic. It kills on Vinyl
Thanks for doing this ranking. Trace is absolutely one of the greatest all-time albums. I saw Son Volt in San Francisco a couple of months ago doing their Doug Sahm tribute and in the middle of the set they did the entire Trace album in order. I'm 77 and this was such a highlight never to be forgotten.
They came through North Carolina and I wanted to go so badly, but just couldn’t get away. Sounds like a beautiful show. Cheers! ✌🏻
Summerteeth is their masterpiece. The songwriting on that album is on a whole other level. Not pretentious experimentation or any of that shit but just first class songwriting. Thank you for the effort
Agreed!
The greatest record ever made
Best thing I've ever seen on RUclips.
Thank God I found it. Such a wealth of knowledge. Great forking job. AM has to be higher, though. And now I'll watch it again. Thank you muchly.
Way too kind. Seriously. But glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. Cheers! ✌🏻
I'm with ya on your #1 for sure. Just a fantastic record from beginning to end. Nice job!
Trace is the best! Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
Me again. Thank you again & so much. You have brought to my attention music I didn't know existed . Know that your work is well worth... all of your time and mine !! TY Red
Just doing this for fun. I appreciate you watching and for your positive comments. Cheers! ✌🏻
I absolutely loved this series. You know I am not a country or much of an alt-country fan, but I do respect the genres and the major players. That said, this series especially the way you spoke of your top 10, I now have an interest to go see if any or some connect with me. Your passion for Jay and Jeff and their collaborative efforts really comes through, and to be honest is very infectious. Great job bud, one of your best for sure!
Uncle Tupelo was instrumental in opening a whole world of music for me to discover. Not only the country side of things, but even punk. I don’t know if I’d be into The Minutemen or The Replacements if not for Uncle Tupelo. Thanks for the kind words, and putting in the time, Tim. Cheers, brother! ✌🏻
Loved this. I recently saw Son Volt play the songs of Trace and Doug Sahm live in LA. Outstanding. As a Tupelo/Wilco/Son Volt fan, happy to see this as your #1. Totally agree. It's a perfect album.
Thanks for watching! I missed them coming through the Carolinas earlier this year. Had all the intentions of going but just couldn’t get away. Haven’t seen Jay & Company perform in many years. Want to get back out to see them.
@TheDigitalGramophone I was set to travel to Asheville to catch SV on that tour but missed it due to a family event. Can't wait until they come back our way.
Hi sad bastard --- I found your channel about 4 days ago... watched both of the parts of these videos --- making a spotify play list of all the albums as I went --- thank you so much!!! Super educational and I'm so glad (as a huge wilco fan) to hear all the cousins of their sound. Muchas gracias.
All Wilco fans are welcome here! Thanks so much for the kind words. You’ve got one hell of a Spotify playlist to get through! Cheers ✌🏻
thank you, Jon - i`ve forgotten what a masterpiece Trace is....in the last days i`ve played this record over and over again! it made my days!
Nice! Proud to have inspired. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
I discovered Windfall because of your gushing. Lovely.
I hope it’s paying off. Thanks! Cheers! ✌🏻
Hi Jon - Sky Blue Sky has a typo - drop the 0 & use the 1 ! It's my favorite Wilco album & as you state love the 70's vibe. This was a confident band in a groove , a smooth groove. Play Ball ! 👌
Sky Blue Sky is just a fantastic rock n roll record. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I love all those songs live - when I’ve heard them. 3:05pm EST tomorrow! Max Fried wins the Braves first game of the season. ⚾️ Cheers, David!
Really great. Watching the Tweedy Show for the past year it’s touching to see how Jeff has evolved since the toxicity of the latter Bennett (year)s.
I’ve only caught bits of a few of those. I’m watching too many VC videos instead. Cheers! ✌🏻
Your graphics that introduce each album are really pretty. I just wanna say that, since doing those kind of can be a pain, I appreciate those little touches. Did you put those together yourself?
The last song that played just before rank 6, I think I have that one on of the CDs my brother has sent me. I’ve put Summerteeth in my list of albums to get. You did a great job on this. It’s looks like you put a lot of thought into it. Even though you didn’t take notes, it shows the depth of your collected thoughts are on these bands.
That clip was "I Can't Stand It" off Summerteeth. I think you'd really dig that one and I'm not surprised it was on a CD from your brother. I did make the number graphics. But, I don't like them, and I was lazy in not animating them. I'm really lazy with these videos compared to what I could do. As you well know, production takes time, and I devote way too much of time to this as it is. Thanks for hanging out, Brother Eric! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Cheers!
@@TheDigitalGramophone Yes, I found the song and it is “I Can’t Stand It”. My brother does have that album. I will be on the look out for that record. I’ve added animations and that does also add work. Getting any FX streamlined is key.
Plastic! 😙💨💨💨💨💨💨
@@JimMorrisonslizard Lizard!🥳💨💨💨💨
Love this. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
I saw Son Volt at the Dingo Bar in Albuquerque for the Trace tour before Drown got super big and it was a defining show for me. It was mind blowing, and I was immediately hooked. Great breakdown of the bands many albums and I love how we were in the same camp (Farrar) and likely had a similar trajectory into appreciating them both equally.
Would have loved to see them then! They did play in my hometown in a small club on the Trace tour. But I wasn’t old enough to get in back then. 😄 Thanks for the great comment! Cheers! ✌🏻
This has prompted me to revisit a few albums that I hadn't listened to in a while, so thanks. I realize that I'm probably venturing into a hornet nest here, but having all this is one place so to speak, has affirmed the belief that my 10 favorite Farrar songs are all UT songs, while my 10 favorite Tweedy songs are probably 7 Wilco and 3 UT. Listening to Son Volt makes me wish I were listening to Uncle Tupelo. It's not that I think Son Volt is less than good, I just feel that Jay was at the height of his powers with UT. Jeff's arguably was there at the Summerteeth YHF confluence.
There is no doubt all my favorite Tweedy songs are Wilco songs. Farrar more of an even mix. Maybe I’ll do a Top Ten songs for each writer. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers ✌🏻
Uncle Tupelo played the Rathskeller at UNC-Charlotte in 1992, my freshman year of college. I had just heard No Depression and it changed my world. I unfortunately found out too late and it was one of there last shows together. I got WAY into them.....I've heard it ALL. Saw Son-Volt a few times, couldn't get into Wilco, but I cannot agree more, STILL FEEL GONE is their best. It's a timeless masterpiece and nothing similar has been recorded since, nothing. I enjoyed your dissection of the two directions Jeff and Jay went when describing Anodyne. Jay always spoke to me more.
I was Team Jay for many years. But Yankee Hotel Foxtrot elevated my love for Wilco. Electric Melodier was a welcome surprise last year. Jay’s best since Okemah imo. Thanks for watching and commenting! ✌🏻
Thanx for this.
So interesting.
So exciting.
And also thanx for all your emotions.
So emotional to me:)
Again thanx for taking the time doing it...
Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
I was a big fan of Sky Blue Sky when it was released. Nels Cline really made it for me on that one I think. That said, probably haven't listened to it much over the last decade. May need to fix that. I saw Son Volt for each of the first three records but for Wide Swing Tremelo it wasn't on purpose - but it was delightful. Summerteeth is terrific. Can't really argue with any of the albums in your top five. Have you considered doing something like this but with several artists with no connection to each other? That might be a fun exercise. Cheers!
Nels Cline’s solos (on Side with the Seeds and Impossible Germany especially) were the only thing I really liked about Sky Blue Sky for awhile when it first came out. But, gradually, it grew on me. Which I find really ironic. Their most straight-ahead record since A.M. and it took time to grow on me. I saw Son Volt at a “festival.” Then I saw them at a small club in South Carolina on the Wide Swing Tremolo tour. That show was a religious experience for me. I tried to talk to Jay at the bar. I don’t know what I said. It’s probably best I don’t remember. I think this Top 5 is impenetrable. I’m that confident in it. So are, literally, dozens upon dozens of rock critics that forged my opinion. Just because I know people are sick of pedal steel on this channel, I’m doing my Top 50 Alt-Country/Americana albums soon. After that, I will be ranking my favorite 42 albums by The Decemberists, Black Sabbath, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and The Ohio Players. But they might have too much in common. Thanks, Sam. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. ✌🏻
Just found your lists and can't agree more I bought Still Feel Gone on the day it came out in Springfield Mo and it still gets played by me at least once a month. I saw Uncle Tupelo's second to last show ever together in Springfield at the Regency Showcase. Trace is by far my favorite of all the albums in both their catalogs. We need to get a beer. Tell me you're in the Northeast.
Jealous that you got to see Tupelo at all, much less their second to last show. I'm just glad I saw the original Son Volt lineup. Thanks for watching! Cheers!
I miss Jay Bennett.
I really like your analysis. Great job. A am also very aligned with your list, except I would switch Anodyne and Still Feel Gone as well as Trace and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. So 1) Yankee Hotel Foxtrot 2) Anodyne 3) Trace. Emotionally, and from a songwriting standpoint, I love Trace, but... Anodyne was Uncle Tupelo really hitting their prime (unfortunately it ended too soon), and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a masterpiece up there with Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds, imo. Thanks for the video!
So, objectively, I would agree that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the best album on this list. This was mostly based on preference and significance to me, though. I don’t necessarily consider Anodyne a better album just because they were getting better at their craft. Anodyne is just more polished, but I wouldn’t say the songs themselves are leaps and bounds above previous material. I think if Uncle Tupelo stayed together for one more album, there’s a good chance Anodyne could have been considered “transitional.” But we’ll never know that. Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
I'm a year late, but this was incredible. I don't have the wealth of knowledge on Farrar's catalogue that you have, and have definitely cooled on Tweedy the last decade or so. Your video definitely has me motivated to check out at least a couple of your top selections that I am not as familiar with.
I heard "Box Full of Letters" on local radio when I was 17 and soon bought "A.M." That song and album eventually led me to all things Alt Country, but I think that is partially why I am a much bigger Tweedy guy, though I love some of Farrar's stuff.
My Top 10: 1. Being There (favorite track: "Misunderstood") 2. Anodyne ("New Madrid") 3. Trace ("Tear-Stained Eye") 4. YHF ("I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" 5. Summerteeth "A Shot in the Arm" 6. Sky Blue Sky ("Hate It Here") 7. A.M. ("Pick Up the Change" 8. Still Feel Gone ("Looking For a Way Out") 9. Straightaways ("No More Parades") 10. A Ghost is Born ("Handshake Drugs")
One of my best friends from college (I believe I mention him in the video) heard Wilco’s AM before any Tupelo or Son Volt and has a very similar relationship to Tweedy as you. Totally get it. Won’t argue with your list either. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
I don’t know how I just stumbled across your channel, but the entire time I was think “ trace better me number one “. I need to acquaint myself with more alt country fans.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent job on the review.......and great hanging out
Thanks for watching. Cheers ✌🏻
Great video Jon! I love seeing someone who loves a band or artist and talks about them passionately. You've reeled me into Spoon when you did a video on them and now you've reeled me into Wilco. Like I said in my part 1 comment, The Whole Love and, someday, No Depression are all I've got, but now I need more. My wallet hates you but a vinyl addicts gotta do what a vinyl addicts gotta do. Hope you do more rankings in the future, but you'll still never change my mind about TMR 😉. Love ya brother.
I think you’d like Wilco, Jeff. You check out Sky Blue Sky. The guitars! My God, the guitars! Don’t you have Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1? Or did I just make that up? Thanks for watching, Jeff. I love being an influence. 😎😆 Cheers, buddy. ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone yes, I have vol. 3 of Mermaid Avenue. I forgot about that.
Loved this, Jon. Richness abounds here in this whole series, but is dialled up as you count these down. From that great stand up-esque intro, to the intricacies on Bennett+Tweedy and how the influence of Farrar and Tweedy manifested in their post-UT paths. Great descriptions and insights on SBS and Ghost (especially about your view on the mix as a listener on the latter vs the intentions of the band). Or the "end times dialogue" Farrar falls into. Personally very happy to see Summerteeth sneak into the top 5. I love hearing that splitting of bands into members projects in their final albums, so I need to go check out Anodyne (still feel gone too, for that matter - the description of it having a "working man's political philosophy... of feeling stuck" is a very powerful one to me). Number one was a slight surprise (I figured it might be top 5), but when you go on to describe just how it's integrated itself into so many moments of your life (the "darkest moments... which is why it's a great road trip album" - that's soul poetry), and leaving us with the last clip - yeah, I'm seeing exactly why it's yr #1. Great job on this alleged "shitshow", Jon. The whole two parter was a joy to watch, and proof that notes are superfluous when you're speaking from the heart (plus the fact your mind has driven these roads of thought for 10/15/20 years!!). Brilliant.
You’ll hear me revisit a number of these albums. Sooner than later. 😉 But later, too. Eventually people will get tired of me talking about Trace. 🤣 Yes! You definitely need to check out Anodyne and Still Feel Gone. March 16-20, 1992 is brilliant, too. All are available on reissue currently. The first three are all MoV though.
@@TheDigitalGramophone I have an 89/93 anthology on CD, but I feel I'm missing the development and context having the whole album would deliver
@@GrandmasHandbag Great comp! Those b-sides are fantastic. Their cover of “Sin City” is what got to me Gram.
Very happy to see Trace as #1. My favorite album of the '90's, one of the very few records from that decade that was "perfect," start to end.
I’m a 90s guy. So, I can think of at least a few more “perfect” albums from the decade. 😎 Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
Really enjoyed this! Kind of blew my mind but after considering it probably too long I'd have the same top 3 in that same order. What drew me in was wondering where you had Still Feel Gone because for me it's above and beyond my top Uncle Tupelo - just doesn't miss. Trace is also in my personal all-time top 10. Pretty envious of Wide Swing Tremolo on vinyl, had me checking on Discogs and it's currently a tad rich for my blood. Also, gonna give Sebastapol another run-it's been years...
Hey, thanks for watching! Yeah, this was a pretty ridiculous exercise. Ha. But fun videos to make. When I got back into vinyl full-time (around 12 years ago) I sought out everything Uncle Tupelo-family related immediately online. I actually bought Wide Swing Tremolo from the Son Volt website. I couldn’t believe they still had copies. But even then Uncle Tupelo on vinyl was really expensive. So with the exception of the Still Feel Gone/March 16-20 two-fer, I’ve had to settle for reissues as they’ve come available. Yeah, definitely revisit Sebastopol. Still love that album. Cheers ✌🏻
Anodyne is a break-up album. The whole second half of the record is about splitting up. Looking back on it, it's almost like they ordered the tracks to tell fans, "Yeah, this is it for the band. Fuck that other guy."
Have you read Tweedy’s autobiography? He lays it out pretty directly. It’s just his half of the story, though. We’ll never really know.
Great job, thanks. I'm sure we all have our different opinions, but overall I agree with the general trends. For me, Still Feel Gone is the best Uncle Tupelo album, Trace is the best Son Volt album, and also the best album of all-time. The 20th anniversary version with the live tracks and demos is worth seeking out. It is nice to see Sebastopol ranked so high.
I have Live from the Bottom Line recorded in 1996. It’s fantastic. My 20th anniversary edition is the album only. Sebastopol doesn’t get enough love. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
Okay you've convinced me. I'm going to go through my boxes of CDs and find all my Son Volt and Wilco and put them in the car to listen. I haven't heard them in forever, and then I might have to pick up some vinyl, maybe the other UT albums. On a side note Allison Brown went into the studio with Bobby Osborne for his 89th birthday. She produced him cutting the Haggard song White Line Fever with an all star lineup. But before she did as asked Jeff Tweedy to add another verse to the song to honor Bobby's 60 plus years on the road. I haven't heard it yet and don't know if it is a stand alone single, maybe just as a download or something, or if it will be part of a full blown physical album release. Take care friend.
Heard of Alison Brown. Not sure I’m aware of Bobby Osborne. So, yeah, I don’t know of anything you’re talking about Elliott. 🤣😂 Check out some Son Volt and Wilco again! I hope you find something in it that you didn’t before. Thanks for watching, my friend. Cheers! ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone You know Bobby, just need a reminder. The Osborne Brothers (Sonny and Bobby) the bluegrass band starting in the 1950s, had the big hit with Rocky Top in the early 60s. They were around forever even dared to mike up and play electric bango, electric guitar, and use drums sometimes. Great harmony singers. I listened to the song, it's on you tube now. At 89 his voice is still strong, It's played at a mid tempo and I recognized the Tweedy verses as they reference Osborne's years on the road and Kentucky and Ohio where he is from. Those Son Volt and Wilco cds are going with me to the beach, I know I've got the first Son Volt and Being there, maybe one or two more! Take care friend.
Hey Jon, Very enjoyable again. Also the footage throughout. I understand that well about albums that sound completely different in the car vs. at home. Notes or no notes, you spoke from the heart here, very much conveying your passion for these artists, and I appreciate that the most. :-) Thanks for sharing. -Carm
Hey Carm. Maybe one day after staring into the abyss that is my camera phone I will sound as eloquent as you or Shannon or Dean. I doubt it, though. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I hope you are doing well. Cheers!
I really like "Sky Blue Sky" as well, glad it's getting some respect. maybe because it was my first Wilco album... also saw them live around that time and was truly impressed by Nels Cline's playing.
It seems like there are a number of Wilco fans whose entry point was Sky Blue Sky. It makes sense for a band that’s been around close to 30 years. I’ve seen Wilco several times live, but my first time wasn’t until 2003. So even though I’ve been listening to them from the jump, most of my concert experiences have been with the current lineup. Thanks for watching! ✌🏻
To be honest I have tried to get into Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo and it has never clicked. I would but their CDs with the expectation that this time I will get it, I will dig it and my life will be changed. I still never saw the Phoenix arise from the ashes when I put it on. I will stream it again. I tried to be cool and like Foxtrot Hotel. I guesss some people aren’t just made to be cool. Steve. I play grandpa rock
Maybe one day they’ll have a mono box set from Mobile Fidelity, Steve, and you can try again. Hahaha! Thanks for stopping by, Steve. Hope all is well. Cheers! ✌🏻
Fantastic, I have 1-4 same order! But your #7 is my #5 Thanks for sharing . Gonna take some of this stuff out tonight. (Same across you today courtesy of Penge & Derrick!)
That is amazing we have the same Top 4 in the same order. I am familiar with your channel and honored you stopped by, Ben. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch. That is one top notch referral coming from Penge & Derrick. Cheers good sir ✌🏻
After meeting someone who absolutely loved Wilco and hearing so much about them on NPR, I finally gave them a listen. I wasn’t really crazy about them, and didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. It’s all changed when I listen to the Kicking Television album. We’re only a few songs that I don’t love on it
Great live album. I love how they got noisy on that tour.
My favorite of all these albums is Sky Blue Sky 10/10. It's very hard to compare all the 90's albums with YHF and everything that came after it. In my mind, I see UT and SV as very similar and Wilco as very different. Wilco and Jeff Tweedy are amazing live. I have not kept up with Jay since Sebastopol. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.
That’s great to hear that Sky Blue Sky is your favorite. Not enough people stick up for that album. I agree that SV and UT are a lot more similar as Jay Farrar has rarely left his alternative country roots behind since leaving Uncle Tupelo. Wilco is an amazing act live. I’ve only seen them about 6 times over 18 years. Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I think I've seen them four times. Once in Chicago when they were filming for "Kicking Television" and I saw them back to back nights in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The 2nd night it rained like crazy-- awesome experience. I also saw them play a show with Bob Dylan at Jones Beach.
Thanks for putting this list together. I'm obviously very partial to Anodyne. Nice vinyl collection. Grew up with vinyl and not going back there--LOL.
IMO CD's are the best consumer music format that you can also hold in your hand.
Cheers & -Thanks again.
Oh the vinyl thing. Yeah. I question myself everyday about it. I still get CDs from time to time, too. Still have hundreds of them. In fact, I still have the Legacy CD reissues of all of Tupelo's albums. Ha. I got rid of the earlier CD presses, though. Thanks for watching! Amazed so many people are watching these videos! Cheers
Great list. I wish you could have snuck in the Mermaid ave 1&2
Even though Wilco played a huge part in those sessions, Billy Bragg’s influence was so strong that I didn’t feel like I could include them in what I was doing here. Mermaid Avenue 1 is fantastic. 2 was pretty good but I never listen to it now. By the third set of songs, I was kind of exhausted by all the material. Just me.
@@TheDigitalGramophone I too love the 1st one and love some songs on #2. Seeing play Remember My Mountain Bed Live is a real treat. The lyrical density of that song is unmatched. I do not own the 3rd album. Great reviews.
For me AGIB is when I started disconnecting from the new records but Sky Blue Sky was the exception. That's a great record. Same for Son Volt's The Search, which is the best of the post-WST records. Out of all them, my top 3 are: Trace, Summerteeth, and Anodyne.
The latest Son Volt really caught me by surprise. I think it’s their best since Okemah. Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I just saw them two nights ago without hearing the new record but the 3-4 songs they played from it sounded good so I'm looking forward to checking it out.
@@TheDigitalGramophone Best since The Search. The songs felt more immediate live.
Thanks for this. I KNEW you would be like me and put Still Feel Gone at the top for UT. That record takes my breath away. I drive my band mates nuts because I'm always wanting to cover songs from that record. I love Trace and not sure which i would've put at number one, but respect your choice. Always heard all of Jeff's songs on Anodyne as pleas to Jay not to end it. Really fun watch. I need to dig into Wilco a bit more and you've given me good guidance there, so thanks. Haven't liked the last two SV records. Feel like Jay has abandoned his poetic 'Dylan' type writing in favor of this bare bones political shite that i can't listen to. Anyhow, thank you! Loved it!
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed. Definitely dive into Wilco more. Being There. Summerteeth. YHF. All brilliant albums. One of America’s greatest ever rock bands, truthfully. Cheers ✌🏻
Really appreciate your ranking of WST!! That record gets a bad rap from a lot of fans, I think.
WST should never be outside of the Top 3 when it comes to Son Volt. It’s sacrilege to rank any album without the original lineup higher than 3. Them’s the rules. 🤣 Thanks for watching! Cheers ✌🏻
Trace is a landmark album. Huge fan.
No Mermaid Avenue or New Multitudes?
And One Fast Move Or I’m Gone. I addressed that.
I agree with you on your view about them going different directions. You can hear the lack of effort on Jay’s part.
That being said, I started following Jay’s music after this. Tweedy seemed like he was after fame.
Son Volt at Pappy and Harriet’s tomorrow night. Be there!
Jay’s lack of effort? When? He was becoming a better songwriter with every Uncle Tupelo release. I meant you could tell Jeff was steering further away from country roots on Anodyne. Still very much country rock, but his songs seemed to have more growth on that album. Knowing what I know about him now. He was always into many more genres of music than Jay was. Also, I don’t agree Jeff was chasing fame. Wilco doesn’t exactly write hits.
Thanks for watching and enjoy the show! Cheers ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I am referring to Jay’s backing vocals. It sounds like he didn’t want to be there. I can’t wait for the show tomorrow night. I’ve been listening to everything Jay has done since the UT days.
Jay is one the best songwriters ever.
Trace….the writing and production just perfection.
Great list. Interesting choices but where’s Goat’s Head Soup ? #mazzylovesyou
Wanker. 😎
Thats not one of their albums. Thats The Rolling Stones.
Jeff waited for Jay to call and not the other way round.
I don’t even know what this means. Ha. But thanks for watching. ✌🏻
When you showed part one of this video I had to start breaking out my Jeff tweedy and Wilco and Son vote albums. Sky blue sky is a good album man, I saw that documentary you spoke of and even now I'm a big fan of Jeff tweeties I kind of thought he was a dick for the way he fired Jay..lol. now that he's clean he seems to be a much nicer guy Great video man
I still need to read Jeff’s book and see what he says about it in retrospect. The documentary was painful to watch at moments. Lots of tension. Ultimately, I think it was a toxic relationship - Bennett/Tweedy. Addiction sucks.
Yeah. Sky Blue Sky is just a great rock n roll album! What’s wrong with that? Nothing.
Thanks for watching, Rod. Cheers! ✌🏻
Fired? You mean professed his love for his girlfriend? Guess it depends on who you ask
Oh I thought you meant Jay Farrar you meant Bennett.
@@williamdillard4291 I’ve always wondered which story is more accurate, that of Jeff pining for Jay’s girlfriend, or if they broke up because of Jay being domineering and trying to steer the band in his direction. It is telling that Heidorn was an original member of Son Volt, though.
Without a doubt, Anodyne documented their crumbling relationship.
I listened to Being There many many times back in the day even though I didn't really like it, bc critics loved it and I knew that for the very best songwriting, repeated listens are necessary before the brain fully absorbs and appreciates the music. I eventually gave up. Wilco just doesn't really do it for me.
Putting Trace at the top reveals your Farrar bias. (For the record, I’ve got a strong Tweedy bias and put Ghost far above everything). However, your ranking highlights what I see as the fundamental difference between the two. Jay has spent his career chasing his first record (Trace), while Jeff has spent his career running from his first (AM).
Also, nice call on putting Still Feel Gone so high. Well argued.
Dude. Don’t ever tell somebody how they feel. I by FAR have a Tweedy bias now. And I have ever since YHF came out. Trace is just my favorite album from these discographies.
I also think it’s incredibly reductive to say Farrar has been chasing his first album. Just the difference in sound between Trace and Wide Swing Tremolo or Sebastopol renders that notion obsolete. Has Farrar branched out in genre exploration as much as Tweedy? No. But Tweedy has always been into a wide variety of music. He’s talked about that quite a bit in interviews and his book.
I would say my higher rankings for Trace and the Tupelo albums are purely based in nostalgia. As I say in the video… I’m not a critic or a writer or a self-proclaimed expert. I’m a fan. I chose the albums in the order I fanboy out on them.
Thanks for watching.
Very fair ranking of albums by some great artists.
Thanks for hanging out! Cheers ✌🏻
COULD YOU PASS ME THE LYRICS OF WINDFALL OR PROVIDE A GOOD LINK WHERE TO GET IT.THANK YOU MAN ¡¡¡¡
Now and then it keeps you running
It never seems to die
The trail's spent with fear
Not enough living on the outside
Never seem to get far enough
Staying in between the lines
Hold on to what you can
Waiting for the end
Not knowing when
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel
May the wind take your troubles away
Trying to make it far enough, to the next time zone
Few and far between past the midnight hour
You never feel alone, you're really not alone
Switching it over to AM
Searching for a truer sound
Can't recall the call letters
Steel guitar and settle down
Catching an all-night station somewhere in Louisiana
It sounds like 1963, but for now it sounds like heaven
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
Both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
May the wind take your troubles away
👍🏻✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone ooooh ¡¡¡ very thankful , you haven't no idea how happy i am. Thank you very much ¡¡¡¡¡
the lyrics is almost as I could intuit it. it moves you if you're still alive
thanks so much again ¡¡¡¡
That beginning clip of Jeff - I have never seen him more personable - he would do well to present THAT side of him, because that certainly wasn't the way he came off in the documentary or any interviews I have seen. Still can't listen to the Dead, still annoyed by their fans. I also agree, YHF is in the top 100 rock albums ever made (proof because I am here and not particularly a fan of the rest of the albums you have shown :) )
Tweedy is a really funny guy. I know what you’re referring to, and that’s true too. But, I’ve just started his memoir and it’s full of wit. I have my limits with The Dead. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a masterpiece. I would think being a fan of The Beach Boys that you’d really like Summerteeth, too.
I hate to say it but yes Trace is the best! Even though I'm a huge Jeff Tweety fan I must admit Trace is the shit!
Means so much to me that album. 💪🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I remember it coming out of the same time as wilkos am and I thought for sure that son vote was just going to be huge. I was working at KFAN 107.9 at the time in the Texas Hill country, the week that it came out we saw Steve Earle at the backyard in Austin and he covered tear stained eyes..
@@happyhippythevinylguy Yeah. Steve Earle was a vocal supporter of that album at that time. I think he even had one his patented hot takes calling Farrar the best singer in country music at the time.
I don't have a record player, but the vinyl looks great 12" format, lovely covers
Great list !!
Trace is the best album of the bunch, I totally agree with you
For whats it worth :
Trace
Anodyne
March 16
Still Feel Gone
No Depression
AM
Sky Blue Sky
Being There
Summerteeth
But ask me again
tomorrow …
Side one of still feel gone is stellar.
Finally someone who doesn't rank YHF#1. I can't stand Tweedy tbh. Wilco got the fame while Son Volt got the talent.
Hey Farley. Can’t say I agree with your take on Tweedy, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic. Thanks for watching! Keep those Decemberists spins coming. ✌🏻
Blue sky blue made me appreciate Wilco more. When Yankee hotel came out I sold my copy after hearing it a couple times. Too much static and noise. I didn’t wanna be around for more of that. Guess I always preferred a classic sound?
The song Still Feel Gone is easily in the top 3 U.T songs ever recorded.
Agreed.
Just found your channel- looking forward to watching it.
#Mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
As a fellow Wilco and Uncle Tupelo fan who grew up in New Madrid, MO.....I would like to say #mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
Also. Sorry for mispronouncing it in the video. I notated it and have no idea why I did that.
@@TheDigitalGramophone No problem. Us country folk pronounce it MAD-rid. The town is called New Madrid because the original town of Madrid sunk to the bottom of the Mississippi River in the earthquake of 1812. Awesome video!
Sebastopol went from a C+ to A grade for me. It wasn't Trace, it never had to be, so be it.
#mazzylovesyou. Mazzy sent me here. I was always a subscriber. Love your channel.
Thanks! Cheers! ✌🏻
Mazzy brought me here! #mazzylovesyou
Happy to be here! #mazzylovesyou
Cheers!
#mazzylovesyou and I’m happy to be a subscriber!
Cheers!
I understand the natural inclination to compare Farrar and Tweedy but it doesn't have to be one or the other. We can all agree that together, they created an absolutely amazing band, and apart, they created two amazing bands. And our lives are enriched by that.
That being said, Farrar is clearly better.
Hahaha. Nice close. I don’t compare them anymore. I did 20-25 years ago. But that faded quickly.
@@TheDigitalGramophone Well, the first part of my post was sincere. I like a lot of Wilco's music. But from their UT days, I've always preferred Farrar -- his voice, his obvious love for roots Americana, and his ability to write both the forlorn and the rockin'. To me, he's a legend. Enjoyed these two videos.
@@andan04 I did prefer Farrar in the Tupelo days as well. I believe Tweedy has even said Jay was just more seasoned than him in those days. Btw… I’d rank the new Son Volt album pretty high. Maybe their best since Okemah. Thanks for watching. Cheers!
@@TheDigitalGramophone I agree about Electro Melodier! Saw Son Volt tour on it last weekend; great show.
I don't quite get the YHF hype. It's an interesting album soundwise, and Glenn Kotche's drumming brings sn exciting new element, but i still feel it mostly lacks great songs...
I disagree on the lack of great songs. “Jesus, Etc.” itself is an all-time classic. It’s just a different vibe and an album that takes multiple listens to really absorb. It could also have something to do with when you encounter it. Kotche made such an impact on this band when he joined. Cheers! ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone true that. I mean, Wilco songs in general don't stand out as radio anthems. "How to fight loneliness" was the first one i heard and loved.
Love Anodyne
you forgot the song b double e run. That was their best song ever!
Wrong video
YHF is THE greatest album ever made.
Vote accounted for. 😎 Thanks for watching!
#mazzylovesyou-also just subscribed!
Hey Heather. Thanks! You also are not a wanker. 😎✌🏻
Great video! #mazzylovesyou
Hey, thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou ... 🤷🏼♂️
🤷🏻♂️🦄💉🤠
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I am you know.
Started here so everything’s backwards. You’ll need to reshuffle the list.
Or are you so sane that you’ve blown my mind?!
@@TheDigitalGramophone I need the list according to Carl version.
@/mazzylovesyou
#MAZZYLUVSU
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
#mazzylovesyou
#mazzylovesyou
#mazzylovesyou
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻
@@TheDigitalGramophone I hope not! That title is reserved for Morrissey and the Gallagher brothers. (I am sure there are plenty more).
#mazzylovesyou
Thanks! You’re not a wanker. ✌🏻