New Wilco Album and Songs

In the last few weeks, the internet has been all in a flutter with people discussing the new Wilco songs. I heard One Wing live at Lolla '08, and I found a decent audience recording of the other new song, "Sunny Feeling." Now, I wasn't too wild about Sky Blue Sky, but it looks like we might get a little more variety on this album, which is a good thing. If you look at their finest work, 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, I think you'd agree that one of the most impressive characteristics of the album is its diversity. There were normal sounding songs like "I'm The Man Who Loves You" and "Kamera", noise tracks like "Reservations" and "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart", poppy numbers like "Heavy Metal Drummer", and whatever you want to call "Radio Cure"...

But my point is: that diversity has been lacking on the last two Wilco albums. A Ghost Is Born had its moments, but for the most part was simple, piano based alternative rock. The songs only really shined after the addition of Nels Cline. Sky Blue Sky, which I mentioned earlier, suffered even worse. Each song sounded the same: light, folky, with chiming, jammy solos. Of course, there are exceptions on both albums. (See "Spiders (Kidsmoke")

But it looks like the variety will be back on Wilco's next album, which, according to Jeff Tweedy, should come out this spring. "One Wing" sounds like something off of Sky Blue Sky with a little more edge to it, while "Sunny Feeling" would fit perfectly on Summerteeth. So I'll keep hoping that Jeff Tweedy and Co. will lose their focus, since it just hasn't been the same since the albums are more concentrated...

(Also, it'd be really cool if they'd bring Jay Bennett back... Seriously...)

One Wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsjCzx89uvM

Neil Young Announces Fall Tour Dates

The O.G. of alt-country, Neil Young, has announced a fall tour of the United States and Canada, beginning this October. The nineteen dates do an adequate job of covering North America, including obvious locations like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles; while throwing a few oddball choices such as Omaha, Kansas City, and Reno, Nevada. Young is bringing along some strong support for this tour, promoting Chrome Dreams II. Death Cab For Cutie will be the opening act until Nov. 5, when Wilco will take over the slot.* Everest will be performing as an opener for the entire tour.

*Note: Wilco will not be playing at the Chicago show.

October 2008
14 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
16 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre
18 - Regina, Saskatchewan - Brandt Centre
19 - Calgary, Alberta - Pengrowth Saddledome
21 - Everett, WA - Comcast Arena at Everett
22 - Vancouver, British Columbia - GM Place
29 - San Diego, CA - Cox Arena
30 - Inglewood, CA - The Forum

November 2008
1 - Reno, NV - Events Center
4 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
5 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
29 - Halifax, Nova Scotia - Metro Centre

December 2008
1 - Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre
2 - Ottawa, Ontario - Scotia Bank Place
4 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
7 - Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
9 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
12 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Spectrum
15 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

This Is Beat A Drum

This is Beat A Drum, a music blog that will feature music news, single/album/live reviews, and the occasional download. My name is Bryn, and I'm the sole operator of the blog. I'm a 19 year old college student from Illinois whose favorite bands include R.E.M., Wilco, U2, and Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. I'm a musician myself (www.myspace.com/brynrichmusic) who performs in the Central Illinois area, and will also use this blog to cover local acts I see and hear. Feel free to e-mail me at bigbadbryn@hotmail.com with any suggestions, comments, etc. (Just be sure to put Beat A Drum in the title)