A Ghost Is Born

A lot of listeners sound kind of puzzled by this album. Quite frankly, I think these people are lazy.

Its kind of incredible how much fuss is made about how this album is "out there". When I got this thing, I expected something like Amnesiac. Amnesiac this is not. Yes, initially, this album is difficult to wrap your mind around because each song is not constructed around two or three signature hooks. So you can't pay attention for ten seconds, absorb the hook, think "thats cool" and then go back to talking to your girlfriend on the phone. You have to actually pay attention for the duration of the song to get something out of it. However, once you've put in your time and listened to a song four or five times, you can appreciate this album effortlessly and these songs become really cathy and riveting--and fun. Now I can't stop listening. Its a blast.

The arrangements are much simpler than on YHF. Basically, drums, bass, guitar, piano, and some...Read more

I'm not particularly interested in ranking AGIB among previous Wilco releases; let it suffice to say that this record stands on its own two feet, and though some listeners may hint that it wobbles, I have the sinking suspicion that it is meant to wobble. The beauty in this album is the struggle, the thin filament that borders whispers against the screams, experimentation next to tried-and-true progressions. Just listen to the first track, "At Least That's What You Said." The break after the lyrics end, the hint at the guitar solo that merely echoes where the song has gone (seemingly in predictable circles), the following discord that is so forcibly loud (as Tweedy's voice is so soft), and finally Tweedy's solo that just takes off. The song becomes airborne with his guitar and it produces that amazingly sick and sweet feeling in your chest and you just know part of your soul has escaped you and has been carried off.....ahhhh....

Or, perhaps, for further proof of...Read more

This album is one of Wilco's best, if not the best. But don't spend twice as much as you need to on this unless you are an avid collector. The bonus tracks can be attained via Wilco's website (www.wilcoworld.net) as a free EP if you own the basic version of the album.
That said... "Panthers" is one of Wilco's most interesting compositions and the live tracks are outstanding (as always). "Kicking Television" is an R.E.M. style rocker that is sure to please most Wilco fans.
But, for most of you, know that you'll get all of this for the same price as the original version of A Ghost is Born.