Bought Wilco and Cowboy Junkies this weekend....

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.

Ultrakaz
That is too funny. I noticed that, too. I wonder how much music I would love if only I listened to it 20 or 30 times before I came to my final conclusion. Is music like a good set of speakers? Does it require a break in period I can't say that I hate Wilco; hate is such a strong word, but I don't know if I am liked them that much. I mean, I read about how Wilco's YHF is a masterpiece and then I feel stupid because I can't hear the genius in the music.

It is interesting that Wilco's reviews are black and white. People loved YHF or they hated it.

I love Cowboy Junkies music because of Margo Timmins haunting yet sensual voice-- especially on their many ballads, and also because of their unusual but very engaging band work. I also really admire Michael Timmins' guitar playing-- and he writes much of their music. I've been a 'Junkies fan for years and still can't "classify" their music.

For a different side of the Cowboy Junkies, try "Waltz Across America". Cheers. Craig