Bought Wilco and Cowboy Junkies this weekend....

YHF is a strange one. Bought it a while back, and I think the first time I played it (while driving) all I got was "I am an American aquarium drinker" and a bunch of dissonant openings. Then, found it in my car again on a long drive to NYC, and it really started to grow on me. Then it started to really, really grow on me. Now I think its a great album... Although, if anyone can explain the aforementioned lyric to me, I'd be much appreciative! ; )

Give it some time and throw it one every now and again. Jesus, etc., Heavy Metal Drummer--good fun songs.

Once you get all of the Cowboy Junkies [ a horse in the country is my favorite ] you must look at Eva Cassidy and Mary Black to add to your favorite Girls.

on the wilco theme, yhf is a different path for them,try the mentioned recordings as well as any uncle tupelo, tweedy's band before wilco, and sonvolt(the lead member i cant recall-i'm working..hehe) both bands are more of the alt country style

anyone ever heard of the detriot cowpunk band GOOBER AND THE PEAS ? i'm finding it a very sought after band on ebay

Interestingly both probably started in the same place. I first hear Jeff Tweedy of Wilco in Uncle Tupelo a great 80's country rock band in the Gram Parsons tradition. Anything they did was great. More recently Wilco have veered away from the country rock thing to Exile era Stones and even 70's Kinks or Small Faces(Being There is my favourite). YHF seems to be an attempt to get into new areas - reminds me of REM when they tired of their early stuff and went more adventurous. Again with repeated listens YHF is a great album - takes 20-30 listens to really open up - but kindof cool goes from slow more experimental sounds songs to louder rockers on alternate numbers. Similar for me is Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown well worth investigating or a little more adventurous but great sounding albums by Lambchop or the Pernice Brothers aka Scud Mountain Boys.

You are right re Margo - that voice like Lucinda Williams for me. But also the bass player and bass is always great on Cowboy Junkie albums. Great late night glass of wine or scotch in the dark music. Enjoy!

Wow, thanks for the warnings about Wilco. I thought it was just me. I bought YHF listened to it, checked to see if I bought the right cd (recommended in the audio rags), and hated it. Listened to it a few more times and I still hate it. I guess I need to listen to it about 15 to 20 more times if I don't throw it away first.