Disco de Wilco: “Summerteeth”

This disc is so across the board, you truly can't really pin it down to a certain group of people's tastes. so i guess i'll try to pin it down.

if you're a fan of the beatles/the beach boys/the kinks/the byrds/any good 1960s pop band: you'll like SUMMER TEETH's melodic, catchy, hook side, sort of experimental side. Familiar sounds might be 12 string electric on hook heavy "can't stand it" and the great pop of "nothingsevergonnastandinmyway(again)" and mellotron on the previous mentioned along with "she's a jar" and "my darling" (with beatles and beach boys influences clearly evident) and backward piano on "how to fight loneliness". also, note the timpani on "a shot in the arm".

if you're a fan of elvis costello/devo/80's pop: you'll like SUMMER TEETH's use of angular song forms and synths on songs like "a shot in the arm", "im always in love" and "elt".

if you're a fan of beck/radio/experimental 90's stuff: you'll like all the previously mentioned songs have the element of the computer's effect on music today. almost all the songs on here sound like they were ran through protools. which they probably were.

if you're a fan of britney spears/nsync/shaggy: um...you NEED SUMMER TEETH :)

all these "if you likes" sort of have a common denominator: they're all sort of an influence, by each other and together. well, not the last one. A HEADPHONE RECORD ALL OVER THE PLACE - A 90s "REVOLVER".

Even with the great 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' under their belt, Wilco are still seem to be one of the most under-appreciated bands around. You've got legions of Wilco fans that are separated into particular album groups, others are enjoying every album in its own right, and some fans aren't sure at all. Personally, I happen to be in the middle category, but I can still say that 'Summer Teeth' is my all-time favorite and has yet to be topped.

There is just something about this record that makes me feel good, despite the dismal lyrics on most of the songs. Maybe it's the fact that those lyrics are placed cleverly with upbeat melodies, but for me this record always evokes a place in time, like a fond childhood memory. But maybe that's just me.

I never get tired of this album; it's in constant rotation in my car, personal CD player, or blasting from my stereo at home. I fell for "I'm Always In Love" hook, line, and sinker from the beginning because it is definitely the stand-out track on the album, as far as unique sound goes. Then I heard "Via Chicago" and fell in love with Jeff Tweedy's lyrical prowess---he can sing like he is indifferent to what he's saying/feeling like no other. The title track is another favorite. With lyrics like "And every evening when he gets home/To make his supper and eat it alone/His black shirt cries while his shoes get cold", again set to cheerful music, it's hard to know what to feel while listening to it. But with the words "It's just a dream he keeps having", it's like he's trying to reassure that something isn't wrong.

Tweedy's lyrics are like no other in music today, and 'Summer Teeth' showcases not only that, but how different yet enjoyable a great alt-country/alt-pop album can be.

Summer Teeth is a celebration of pop music. Jeff Tweedy wears his influences proudly on his right sleeve while still hiding something up his left. Great music like this sometimes takes a while to fully digest. As a curious admirer of Uncle Tupelo I watched Tweedy reinvent himself from pissed off cowpoke to a full fledged Burt Bacharach in ripped flannel.. This album is what "Pet Sounds" could have been. It rides the ghost of Brian Wilson and picks up cosmic, musical hitchhikers like Arther Lee , Elvis Costello and a healthy dose of the Beatles. Alternately sweet and angry "Teeth" pulls you in with warm hooks and sunny soundscapes. Once inside Tweedy lays his soul bare while simutaneuosly exposing ours. Its timeless, classic and a welcome reminder of what music could be in these depressing one hit wonder times. My advice is to be patient. Not many people have been immediately blown away by the album but it grows on you like a Christmas sweater. Wilco is well on its way to becoming the Great American rock-n-roll band. Buy the album and enjoy the ride.

This was the first Wilco album I listened to, and (cliche, I know) was quite blown away. I was giddy for three days. Now I've been a shamelessly obsessive Wilco fan for 5 years or so, and can better digest what this album represents. Take the defining alt-country band Uncle Tupelo, launch a spinoff with Tweedy as frontman, Tweedy takes over, steers the band to ever more progressive obtuse pop. This is the first album where that direction was clear: the irrevocable departure from straight ahead roots rock towards an unknown realm of experimentation (though their latest work remains unapologetically listenable, unlike much of the other stuff promulgated by the likes of Captain Beefheart). Here we still see fairly simple country based ditties, but even in these is visible the desire of Tweedy and company to get a little darker, scarier, more surreal at times. There are upbeat rockers aplenty (Shot in the Arm, Can't Stand It) but listen to the lyrics and you'll see they're well beyond boymeetsgirl. There are breezy country-rock styled riffs, but again, scratch the surface and you'll hear Jeff Tweedy singing about growing old, fighting loneliness, etc. Bonus track Candyfloss is a shameless Beach Boys raveup, pure hyperglycemic pleasure. My two favorites are quite dark: She's a Jar (somehow it's about physical abuse and pervasive disappointment, though the lyric is a bit obtuse at times)and Via Chicago (darkest imagery, powerfully presented).

Even with the breakthroughs of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost is Born (their two subsequent albums) Summerteeth remains my favorite. The next two continue to depart from the pop mainstream while remaining quite accessible; Summerteeth was closer in, more comforting, more satisfying in a very basic way.

If Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is Wilco's Sgt. Pepper, Summerteeth is their Revolver. A refreshing change from their past sound, with hints of what's to come.

This album drifts away from their country-ish beginnings, and heads toward alt-pop. The heavy use of synths is a big part of the change. Some fans find this annoying, but I love it. Some of it sounds a little like early Weezer, but more complex. We start to hear some of the ambient noise stuff that is all over their next album.

Jeff Tweedy's lyrics are a blend of optimism and melancholy. He's a true original. His songs can be catchy, thought-provoking, and bittersweet.

All the comments about the album being "derivative" are a bunch of baloney. This is a great album, all compelling tracks, definitely worth the money.