Jesus Christ, would you please stop the Wilco bashing?!? What gives? Thew new album is totally solid and I love it more and more with every listen.

Bloated my ass. They are the BEST band working today. Period. Musically and lyrically Wilco still kicks much ass. I know they have lost some of their hipster luster, but come on Mercury, don't be haters.

I assure you, Wilco will be fine. That band has been bulletproof for a long time, and some mild criticism is hardly going to matter (see tonight's sold out show for proof of that).

If you need documented proof that the new album isn't their best work, see track three, "Impossible Germany," from the three-minute mark on. That wanky guitarsturbation solo would embarrass Joe Walsh.

The wanky guitar shit is AWESOME! What is wrong with everybody? This album RULES! I can't believe the reaction this album is getting when it is CLEARLY FUCKING INCREDIBLE.

I'm with Depper on Impossible Germany. Love that track. Isn't the Merc being a little hypocritical in your critique of Nels Cline's solo? If memory serves me correctly, you lavished much praise on his guitar playing skills a few months ago. Now you no likey? What gives?

I stand by the song's wanky solo.

Different folks write here, so while some might praise the skills of Nels Cline (and deservingly so), others might not like his work as much. I, personally, loved him in Geraldine Fibbers and enjoy a lot, but not all, of his solo work. But as for Wilco, I think they were better before he joined up.

Songwriting-wise, I think the new album is treading water. The guitar player is great--and I mean GREAT--but that kind of virtuosity sounds out of place to me on a Wilco record.

His guitar playing is neither wankery nor "Dad rock," by any means. That's just stooopid.

"Dad rock". Classic.

Fortunately, I'm a dad. I was spinning the new album last night in the basement (after forgetting about it for the last month) and remarking...wow, this is actually a really good record.

I agree, the Wilco bashing is getting old, fast. That being said I think there are some really lousy songs on Sky Blue Sky. Hate it Here has incredibly boring/dumb lyrics and Walken has a pretty cheesy feel to it. I don't judge any band on the basis of one record, Wilco's track record speaks volumes.

I can't wait for the show tonight!

I'm not a wilco hater. I think they're quite solid---it's just for a while there they were truly awe inspiring to me. especially YHF. since then, to my ears, wilco without Jay Bennet is like the cure without Lol Tolhurst---less edgy with much more traditional production.

Jeff Tweedy is a fine song writer but I really think the band is totally different without JB---and different in a way I'm less enthusiastic about. That's not bashing is it?

Do you think that "A Ghost Is Born" is less edgy than what came before it? To me, it's their most out-there album thus far.

And no, you weren't Wilco-bashing - you backed up your point! I just find it fascinating when people are all "oh man, band ______ is so totally over forever because I didn't like that one last album they did." Can't people follow their own muse for an album or two? Luckily, the Merc and its readers seem to be better than that.

I've been listening to Sky Blue Sky on and off on my way to work for the last two weeks. I agree with Ezra - the entire album drops off after track two. I found myself skipping track 3, then 4, then 5 and then just moving on to someone else.

Also agree with jragel. Jay Bennet brought the goods. He was innovative, but still a shit kicker. I've seen Wilco over the years at least a dozen times - when Jay was going nuts, it was really the best Wilco I've ever seen.

But of course the ghost of Uncle Tupelo will continue to propell both Wilco and Son Volt or Jay into the most boring media darlings in the music scene.

Journalists have fallen so in love with the myth of both Tweedy and Farrar that when one band loses a step, the media turns to the other and right now Son Volt is on fire. All the drama and Wilco putting out a half-assed rock and roll album will then allow for Tweedy to kick someone else out of the band/or someone moves on and Wilco will make a roaring come back with its next recording and everyone will say, "Wilco is back. They went balls to walls with this one." They fucking rock! Which they do, it's just Sky Blue Sky doesn't deliver.

Shit. After reading the Stranger review I'm going to eat my words by the Wilco Army. Still SBS is boring, but of course so was a lot of the Dead's studio recordings, and they knew a think or two about playing live.

I want to kiss Israel on the mouth for those comments. Couldn't agree more.

The show last night was great. I wasn't blown away by that latest cd but the songs really came out, live. 2 encores, good mix of old and new, the band was tight as hell and I liked the Edgefield space way more than I thought I would.

Israel, I respectfully disagree with everything you stated in your previous post. There's a reason Tweedy and Farrar are "critical darlings", because they have more musical talent in their little fingers than most bands do together.

I will take Wilco, Uncle Tupelo (RIP), Son Volt over the hipster drivel that is Modest Mouse, The Aracade Fire, or dare I say it, the Drive By Truckers.

The show last night was amazing and proves once again that Wilco is the best band in America right now. They put on a hell of a live show. Nels Cline back from chicken pox was fucking bombastic on the guitar. I sure as hell didn't hear any "Dad rock" last night.

Murray, I probably deserve some backlash on my comments.

Still, I never said they aren't great live band(s) though.

And if you think Tweedy is not a hipster than I'll be a monkey's uncle. What is a hipster anyway? No, don't answer that.

Yes, yes, the are wonderful musicians. I've been a fan all my life, don't get me wrong.

And I said "boring media darlings," not "critical darlings." Neither one of them have ever done anything that moves outside what there potential is. Of course, maybe I want a Sad Eyed Lady of Lowlands, and maybe that's asking much...

All that being said, none of it will make me listen to SBS one more time.

Israel,

Sorry for throwing out the h-word. I somewhat understand what you're saying about Tweedy and Farrar and their potential.

I just don't want Wilco to turn into REM post-Bill Berry. I hope they know when to hang it up when the well runs dry.