Blogcritics: Comments on The Minus 5- Down With Wilco

Comment by DJRadiohead

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 16:03:40 EDT

"Retrieval of You" is worth the price of admission alone. I don't think the album sounds all that Wilco-esque but I am probably in the minority in that respect (and yes, I own all of Wilco's records - I just don't hear it).

Comment by Randominas

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:40:21 EDT

Strangely enough, I think the b-sides found on "At the Organ" are largely more catchy and compelling than what what put on the album. I know the album goes for a certain mood, but how a near-perfect track like "Hotel Senator" can be left on the cutting room floor is beyond me. And the unused version of "The Town That Lost It's Groove Supply" has much more life than the album version. Add in "(I've Got A) Lyrical Stance" and "Formerly Hail Centurion" and you've got a batch of songs that could have really made "Down With Wilco" great. What's here is good, I just think some of these other songs are better. I like "Daggers Down" and "Retrieval of You" among others, and who doesn't love a track fronted by Jeff Tweedy (okay, based on Wilco's album sales, a fair number of people....). Anyway, good CD. Could have been better.

Comment by Bill Sherman

Fri, 7 Mar 2003 13:44:36 EST

A correction: further investigation has turned up earlier Minus 5 EPs and discs that predate the two-fer with YFF. Don't know how any of 'em sound. . .

Comment by Bill Sherman

Wed, 26 Feb 2003 17:36:00 EST

Critiquees and Wilco fans aside, I'm more interested in this disc as a longterm Young Fresh Fellows lover: Scott McCaughey is an underrated wonder. (Re: the title. The first Minus 5 disc, which was done in collaboration with REM's Peter Buck and assorted quirkmeisters like Robyn Hitchcock, was called Let the War Against Music Begin. Don't think Scott was serious there either. . .)