I think I need to hear that live album then because I still feel disappointed in Ghost. I don't quite hate it, but I definitely hold a grudge towards it, like "why can't you be more?"

I totally felt the same way until I saw them at the Newport Folk Festival.

Now, the album is a lot more palatable, but it's still heavy handed in the production.

I prefer production that makes the song communicate it's intent better, not production that masks that the song is even there in the first place.

Yeah, I totally agree. I started attending live shows again recently, I had forgotten how seeing music live can even make the studio songs seem better. Maybe you catch the subtle nuances at the live show that you can't hear on the album. I know that happened when I saw Stars recently.

Dig it.

Yeah, the live thing is wierd, cause it isn't a controlled environment, but that makes the musicians pick and choose what they emphasize, i think. Makes 'em cut to the meat and potatos of the song.

I definitely agree that the power of seeing an album/songs can result in a further, clearer appreciation of a record. Seeing M83 last year made me reevaluate a good deal of their 3rd album (although they changed the instrumentation and arrangements a bit for the live M83). However, A Ghost is Born had me at hello (or rather "When I sat down on the bed..."). It's ridiculous how perfect a Wilco record it was for me when it leaked...confrontational, strong, full of real peaks (the kidsmoke part of spiders), ponderous lyrics and ideas about songs (less than you think), and numerous all-around "this is so cool that this is Wilco?!" moments (hell is chrome, at least...).

Phil, I agree that the production is a bit off-putting and alienating on certain levels no pun intended), but the decision to be raw/live-sounding on a number of tracks won me over at the outset - particularly on the first song. It's interesting that you'd fault it for letting the production get in the way of the songs, though - they essentially recorded it as a live band, aiming to avoid the overdub/mixing frenzy of YHF.


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Of course, I've come to realize that I have a lot of very (positive) emotional reactions to music that cloud an "objective" reading on things. AGIB is absolutlely one of those records (along with the new Lips and Walkmen records, etc).

or maybe you shouldn't have called the thread BEST AMERICAN BAND, and should have opted for BEST AMERICAN BAND OUT OF THIS LIST OF SOME GOOD BANDS AND SOME INDEFENSIBLE SHLOCK.

I think the performances are solid, but tonal choices seemed distracting at times rather than mood setting, especially synth choices.

my thread, my rules, Jocko.

numbers and letters.

Spoon. Easy.

Hating on Interpol is so cute.

From the list I went with Spoon, even though I find their live a show a bit lacking. But I really don't know anything/enough of half those bands

I would add Sleater-Kinney

And Les Savy Fav just on the strength of their live show. Any band where the singer can land half a metre from me while abseiling down a 3 metre wall using the mike cord as rope is ok by me

The White Stripes belong in the choices, no doubt.
And a case can be made for The Flaming Lips, Sleater-Kinney and TVotR.

And, hell, why not Green Day? Saw them on the greatest hits and "American Idiot" tours and had a fuckin' blast both times. Plus, there aren't many bands willing to make (admittedly oblique and vague enough to still be radio palatable) political statements in their songs.

Out of this bunch - MMJ

Ya gotta draw the line somewhere... if you say Green Day and then you have to say REM, and then all hell breaks loose...

and don't forget to merchandise the hell out of their logo, and American Idiot imagery on everything from boxers to keychains. Just sayin'. I did kinda like the album though...hehe.

ike reilly by default

Yeah, based on the listed criteria, their live shows carry them by a nose over Wilco and Spoon.