Summer Teeth
A response to the Stylus reimagining of Summer Teeth:
Summer Teeth is Wilco’s magnum opus. Their most accomplished record. Their Exile on Main Street. The most perfect record a band could hope to produce. Though critics flock to their more recent, “experimental” releases, most overlook the complexity of this richly rewarding record. Summer Teeth’s best song, “Via Chicago,” is one of the most intricate tracks they’ve ever recorded. Critics overlook the sophistication of most of the tracks on Summer Teeth because they get lost in their surface level catchiness. Nevertheless, this is more of a “studio album” than the uneven Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the self-indulgent A Ghost is Born. Just ask a Wilco fan, this is the record that they actually listen too. Don’t be fooled by the showy sonic bursts on their later records, Summer Teeth is the record Wilco will be remembered for. It’s that good. [Note to Stylus.... how could you cut "She's a Jar?"]
Summerteeth is chock full of poppy goodness, and the lyrics are very, um, lyrical. I’m fond of the title track myself, because it’s ridiculously catchy, but there are dark things going on underneath – fingers exploding, for one.
I really like She’s A Jar, too. Something about the beginning, with the organ fade in and the guitar chopping in…
But I still like YHF, and I like many of the tracks on Ghosit born. So I signal my indifference with a mighty “Whatevs.” Yea, let it be heard far and wide, I have thusly spoke “Whatevs.”
yankee hotel was an amazing record. the last two track were kinda boring, but the rest of the record was nothing short of superb. and it wasn’t THAT experimental; it just wasn’t alt country in any sense, which upset some of the older fans.
hello–
i’ve been a huge wilco fan since i saw them on the 2nd stage at the h.o.r.d.e. festival 10 years ago, & i have to admit that “summerteeth” is my least favorite album. i do enjoy listening to it, but just not as often as i enjoy listening to the rest of their albums. if i had to pick a favorite, it would be “being there”…so amazing! i wholeheartedly agree with all of the raves for “yhf” & truly love “a ghost is born” as well…some of the songs on that album are simply pure loveliness — “at least that’s what you said” & “muzzle of bees” are excellent examples. i honestly think the best way to fully enjoy “a ghost is born” is to turn it up LOUD & just take the songs for what they are. thanks!
Summerteeth has always been my favorite Wilco record and Via Chicago is incredibly haunting. Everything you said is right on. I’ve been a fan since ’96 and this is the record that I listen to over and over still. I even had my wallet robbed from me whilst engrossed in it’s wonders.
I’ve been a Wilco fan since seeing them in 1995 at the Velodrome in Los Angeles and I’d have to say “Summerteeth” is the equivalent to Brian Wilson’s “Pet Sounds.” It ironic because most albums put the best songs in the front, but the album gets better as the album progresses. Summerteeth is Wilco’s masterpiece. The Mermaid Avenue albums pull in at a close second and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a solid third. With the wide sound pool that Wilco pulls from, I wouldn’t doubt if Tweedy and the band blow our minds again in the coming years.