yankee hotel foxtrot

Wilco took an album that their label refused to release and streamed it for free on their website. The band had recorded versions of the songs during 2000; but decided to rerecord them after replacing drummer Ken Coomer with Glenn Kotche. Jay Bennett and Chris Brickley engineered the album but had trouble mixing the tracks; so Jeff Tweedy brought in producer Jim O'Rourke to assist with the mixing. In the meantime, Reprise Records president Howie Klein was fired as part of a downsizing of the newly merged AOL Time Warner conglomerate. The new executives put in charge thought the sonic experimentation of the album lacked commercial potential and decided to pass on it. The label eventually gave Wilco the rights to the album, and on September 18, 2001, to counter the low quality pirate downloads that were circulating, they started streaming 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' on their website, garnishing eight times their usual traffic on that day. After being courted by several labels, Wilco signed a deal with Nonesuch Records to officially release it on April 23, 2002. It became their biggest critical and commercial success, selling over a half a million copies and topping critics polls that year.








http://wilcoworld.net/

'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart' describes a disastrous love affair and alcoholic confusion.

"I am an American aquarium drinker

I assassin down the avenue

I'm hiding out in the big city blinkin'

What was I thinkin' when I let go of you"

'War on War' is about surrender.

"Let's watch the miles flying by

Let's watch the miles flying by

You are not my typewriter

But you could be my demon

Moving forward through flaming doors

You have to lose

You have to learn how to die

If you wanna be alive"

'Jesus, Etc.' describes how love can get us through a world that is crumbling around us. It was written and recorded well before the attacks on September 11, 2001.

"Jesus, don't cry

You can rely on me honey

You can combine anything you want

I'll be around

You were right about the stars

Each one is a setting sun

Tall buildings shake

Voices escape singing sad sad songs

Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks

Bitter melodies turning your orbit around"

'Heavy Metal Drummer' is about a girl who goes for drummers.

"I miss the innocence I've known

Playing KISS covers, beautiful and stoned"

'Reservations' ends the album with a wash of noise like a 747 taking you to some distant emotional destination.

"I've got reservations about so many things; but not about you."

 
'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' 
full album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DeMYEsr6Zs





All lyrics written by Jeff Tweedy, all music composed by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett except where noted.


1. "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart "   Tweedy 6:57
2. "Kamera"   3:29
3. "Radio Cure"   5:08
4. "War on War"   3:47
5. "Jesus, Etc."   3:50
6. "Ashes of American Flags"   4:43
7. "Heavy Metal Drummer"   Tweedy 3:08
8. "I'm the Man Who Loves You"   3:55
9. "Pot Kettle Black"   4:00
10. "Poor Places"   5:15
11. "Reservations"   Tweedy 7:22