Wilco Fly Away From the Eagles
It's hard to imagine that a comparison to the Eagles -- the best-selling American group of all time -- would be intended as an insult, but tell that to Wilco.Although Entertainment Weekly was praising Wilco's new CD, 'Sky Blue Sky,' by calling it "the best Eagles album the Eagles never put out," Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt aren't exactly enthused by the pat on the back.
"Those are fighting words," Tweedy told Spinner during their Sessions taping in New York last week. "Even though it's stated in a positive manner, it seems so wildly off the mark. Did they actually listen to the record?"
"Did they listen to the Eagles?" Stirratt added.
"At the same time, it is absolutely a truthful statement," Tweedy conceded cheekily. "It's definitely a record that the Eagles didn't put out. So is 'London Calling.'"
To judge for yourself, come back on June 1 to watch Wilco's Sessions performance, featuring four new songs from 'Sky' ... and no Eagles covers.
Posted by Jessica Robertson on May 22nd 2007 3:30PM
Filed under: News, Exclusive
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Tomat 5-22-2007
Tweedy can skirt around it as much as he wants, still "Sky Blue Sky" is reminiscent of the best music the Eagles ever made. Wilco should take it as a compliment, move on and keep on rockin'.
Ericat 5-23-2007
Yeah, I have to admit that Jeff Tweedy does sound a bit like Don Henley too. No Biggie, yes the Eagles are wankers now but they were cool back in the 70's. I would take it as a complement.
brendaat 5-23-2007
I think it's kind of pathetic that they have been paid this huge compliment and are upset about it. Whether you like the Eagles or not, they are one of the biggest bands of all time, and to act insulted because someone compared you to them is downright hilarius.
JohnQSerpicoat 5-23-2007
I think Jeff Lebowski said it best: "I hate the fu**in Eagles." Are you going to toss Wilco out of your cab because the Eagles were, according to you, one of the biggest bands, and Tweedy and co. don't want the comparison? Of course you are. That's what's pathetic.
Mattat 5-24-2007
how about the fact that it is very insulting because they're not the eagles nor do they want to be compared to them, obviously. It's their art, they created the album themselves, and comparing bands to something they're not, as if they're supposed to be some predecessor, would piss any band off. i don't want to be compared to some jerk off that looks like me, because he isn't me. get it? and yea, i hate the fu**in eagles too.
RH Teeboneat 5-25-2007
Geez, it's amazing how people get themselves all worked up over something so trivial. OK, so Wilco doesn't want to be compared to The Eagles for whatever reason. Personally, I would consider it a great compliment, but I am not Jeff Tweedy. The truth is, it is extremely common in music reviews to compare the sound or style of one band to the sound and style of another band. And a music review, furthermore, is one person's OPINION, which can be taken with a grain of salt like ALL opinions. Something tells me Jeff Tweedy is used to it and probably doesn't care nearly as much about the "insult" as everyone else seems to. Just as with everything else in the so-called Information Age, mole hills become media-made (or blogger-built) mountains for a moment, and then they're forgotten ... and should be. It's all irrelevant. What counts is whether you like the new CD or not. That's all that matters, folks.
Rickat 5-29-2007
The reviewer obviously doesn't get Wilco.
michaelat 5-31-2007
I think Tweedys voice is the best its ever been, ( not that it was ever not great.) on this album. As far as sounding "like" Henley, I dont think so. Im not a huge Eagles fan , but Henleys voice has something you dont find in all singers and im not quite sure how to describe it. Funny thing is, I have heard people say that my brother, the lead vocalist in THE MOTHERJUMPERS, has hints of Don Henley in it. Ps best WILCO album so far.
gerardat 6-01-2007
It's pretty lazy to compare them to the Eagles.