Open Web Player
Wilco frontman and leader Jeff Tweedy sums it up nicely when he says to the audience, "Let's get this party started," and then laughingly continues, "with some mid-tempo rock." And mostly Tweedy is right, this is not a blistering KISS Alive or even a dancing and funky Talking Heads Stop Making Sense (two of the best live discs ever made). No, Kicking Television won't peel paint off your walls or have you rollicking in the aisles; Wilco is not looking to do those things here. What Wilco does do is re-imagine and refine their diverse catalog of music in new and interesting ways.
Coming on the heals of the disappointing but Grammy winning A Ghost Is Born (the Grammy's always give the award for the wrong album) Wilco fans were not quite sure what to expect. Looking at the track listing for Kicking Television caused more concern since many of the songs from Ghost are included here at the expense of some long time favorites. In addition, the band's revolving door of musicians has once again changed.
Typically live albums are for true fans only and offer a bit of indulgence for the artist. There are exceptions (noted above), but most live recordings don't offer much insight. Kicking Television avoids those pitfalls and delivers a heartfelt and connected performance that gives Wilco fans hope for what's to come from one of the most important bands of the decade.
I could write a book about why Wilco is so important, but that has already been done (Wilco: Learning How to Die by Greg Kot). Ditto for making a movie about the band (I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco). For now, just know that Wilco has influenced the way music is marketed; the way record company suits view the artistic process; the artist's control of their own musical vision; and the entire digital revolution of the internet and music. When you watch the Wilco documentary film you see a band in the throes of the creative process. Tweedy comes up with a simple "folk song" on acoustic guitar. He then brings it to the band and they start to build the song and add to it. Then they go their separate ways and destroy the song. De-construct what they have made and endlessly change and mutate it. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was the result of this process and it will be remembered as one of the best albums of the decade.
Things have changed in Wilco's world. Gone is Jay Bennett, Tweedy's creative antagonist and the person who seemed largely responsible for much of the stress that helped drive Tweedy to a painkiller addiction. What we now hear on Kicking Television is a band that plays well together. And this group seems very together as they wind their way through the set.
Songs that seemed antiseptic and sterile on Ghost have new life here. There is more emotion, more feeling to them. Playing live the band makes these songs sound so much better than they did in the studio. But the older material gets new life here as well. Almost no song goes untouched and the band adds flourishes and touches everywhere. The always wonderful "Jesus, etc." gets a new guitar line. The acoustic romp of "Airline to Heaven" is punched up with a new electric guitar riff. Stronger piano parts are evident in many places. The ever-interesting noise and distortion is here when needed to bring the songs from Yankee to their full sonic glory. The only fault I find is that "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" is almost as annoying live as it was in the studio.
These songs feel very personal. Kicking Television was recorded over four sold-out nights at Chicago's historic Vic Theater in front of an adoring hometown crowd. You can feel the connection as the band takes its time to fill the hall with sounds and swirls. Nothing seems rushed or hurried, it's like you are sitting around their loft with the band as they play.
For longtime fans this disc is a must have. You will get to explore Wilco's music all over again. For those unfamiliar it is a very nice way to get to know the music and then begin to explore the exceptional body of work that Wilco has produced. Either way, Kicking Television will not disappoint.
R#
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Timothy Hawkins
captures the band at their best. 23 songs over two CDs highlights Wilco's vast ...
Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2017
