Track Listing

1. At Least That's What You Said
2. Hell Is Chrome
3. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
4. Muzzle Of Bees
5. Hummingbird
6. Handshake Drugs
7. Wishful Thinking
8. Company In My Back
9. I'm A Wheel
10. Theologians
11. Less Than You Think
12. Late Greats

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18336 in Music
• Released on: 2004-06-21
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.co.uk Review
On A Ghost Is Born, Wilco singer, songwriter and supreme commander Jeff Tweedy leads his former alt.country colleagues on another journey towards the leftfield, with Sonic Youth's Jim O'Rourke once again handling co-production duties. But in many ways, it represents a slight backstep from the direction hinted at on its acclaimed successor Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is by no means a bad thing. Like Lambchop's best work, it's an album that's full of clever experimentalism and understated studio trickery, yet one where Wilco's very human and very organic core is highlighted, most likely because of Tweedy's dusty past with alt.country mavericks Uncle Tupelo. To Wilco's credit, the songs on A Ghost Is Born never suffer from over-production or wilful contrivance. Even on a 10-minute epic such as "Spiders", they manage to keep the listener's interest with a simple, driving rhythm and gradual layers of guitars, before the song bursts forth in the fourth minute. It's an extended jam, sure, but it's never dull--a remarkable feat in itself. In fact, A Ghost Is Born harks back to Wilco's altogether excellent second album, Being There, an innovative and original take on country rock and pop. That alone puts it up with the best of their work. --Robert Burrow

CD Description
'A Ghost Is Born' is the fifth album from Jeff Tweedy's alt-country outfit Wilco. With the departure of Jay Bennett, the album continues in the experimental vein of 2002's 'YankeeHotel Foxtrot', stripping away synths and sound effects andopting for a more simplistic feel.

Customer Reviews

They are hissing radiator tunes
I can appreciate that people may feel disappointed with this album. It takes a different approach to previous albums, gone are the samples and electronica of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, replaced instead with layers of echoing guitar distortion. This is not entirely uncharted territory for Wilco reminiscent of songs like Being There's Misunderstood or Summerteeth's via Chicago. It may be difficult the first time through but after three weeks listening I now love the dirge of Less Than You Think and the disco/prog rock love child Spiders as much as the melodic folk of Hummingbird or classic rocker The Late Greats. If you are looking to buy your first Wilco record this would not be the place to start: you would be far better off buying 2001's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. However, if you are already a convert or a fan of Jim O'Rouke's work you will find this a very rewarding album. I'd even go as far as saying it is my favourite album of 2004 so far.

Another reason to buy this album not mentioned in the other reviews is that if you have an internet connection stick it in your CD-ROM drive to listen to a complete streaming concert recorded live at the Vic Theatre, Chicago. The set list is:

via Chicago
The Late Greats
Company in My Back
Hummingbird
Radio Cure
At Least That's What You Said
Hell Is Chrome
I am trying to break your heart
Kamera
Handshake Drugs
Wishful Thinking
Shot in the arm
War on war
Muzzle of Bees
Jesus, etc.
Poor places
Spiders
I'm the man who loves you
I'm a wheel
Kicking television (previously unreleased song)
Heavy metal drummer
California Stars
Passenger Side
The lonely 1
Misunderstood

If like me you have trouble playing this concert, download the newest version of Quicktime from apple.com.

Lifting the spirits!
I was turned on to Wilco when a review described 1999's Summer Teeth as a 'bar room Sergeant Pepper'. A big shiny record, taking the passion of Elvis Costello and the Byrds jangle to another place. Better still, 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, whose story is brilliantly told on 'I am trying to make a film' (DVD), where producer Jim O'Rourke replaces the previous sheen with interference, unsettling arrangements and heart-breaking honesty, culminating in what was up till then, the best music Tweedy & co had put out.

YHF raised my expectations to impossible levels, but 'A ghost is born' takes us to a new place where the influence of O'Rourke is present, but takes second place to a more organic, engaging sound where musical conventions are stripped down and re-worked with warmth, passion and some good humour. Spiders (Kidsmoke) is ten minuteslong, but you're disappointed when it finishes. Muzzle of Bees is otherworldy, but engaging and melodic. 'I'm a wheel' recalls Heavy Metal Drummer from YHF and 'the late greats' mixes Neil Young & Crazy Horse's 'Home grown' with Tweedy's experimental vision. You would even forgive them for the 12 minutes of drone contained within 'Less than you think' such is the power of this record.

It's many years since I listened to a record for the first time and knew I'd got a hold of a classic. 'A ghost is born' lifts the spirits and should be used by all right thinking parents to turn their kids on to something genuinely inspiring. Five stars, no question, probably one of the best ten records I've ever heard.

Best album of the year so far by far
Why this band doesn't get more recognition in this country is beyond me...maybe it's the alt.country tag...who knows. There is certainly nothing Dolly Parton about Wilco...just fantastic music. If you appreciate great music then you'll love Wilco and this album is probably their best yet.

It's an intelligent, thoughtful album, which needs a few listens before it really gets under your skin and lodges itself in your imagination. Jeff Tweedy's powers as a songwriter are immense...and he's not afraid to open his soul in his lyrics. It's a personal journey that invites you along for the ride to share the highs and lows. There isn't one weak track but if I had to pick out the outstanding one I would have to say Spiders (kidsmoke)...total brilliance. I saw them play this track live at the Academy and it rocked big style. Best live band I've seen in...well ever.

Wilco are the best band in the world right now. Forget Coldplay, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, or any of your other guitar/indie clones. Wilco are the real deal.