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259th out of 411 books
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Wilco: Learning How to Die
by
Greg Kot
The intimate story of one of the great American bands of our time, creators of the controversial masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
When alt-country heroes-turned-rock-iconoclasts Wilco handed in their fourth album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, to the band’s label, Reprise, a division of Warner Brothers, fans looked forward to the release of another challenging, genre-bending depart
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
December 10th 2008
by Broadway
(first published June 2004)
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Wilco is one of the most important yet understated bands of our time. This book is a great overview of frontman Jeff Tweedy's career, starting way back in his junior high days, coming up through Uncle Tupelo, Loose Fur, Wilco, etc etc. You learn so much about Tweedy, from his favorite music to his lifetime struggles with migraines and depression to his personal philosophy about the creation of music. Author Greg Kot's many hats as a journalist, Wilco fan, Chicagoan, and music critic all blend to...more
Wilco is one of the most important yet understated bands of our time. This book is a great overview of frontman Jeff Tweedy's career, starting way back in his junior high days, coming up through Uncle Tupelo, Loose Fur, Wilco, etc etc. You learn so much about Tweedy, from his favorite music to his lifetime struggles with migraines and depression to his personal philosophy about the creation of music. Author Greg Kot's many hats as a journalist, Wilco fan, Chicagoan, and music critic all blend to...more
For the 3-4 days it took me to get through this, I found myself compelled to read more. Tracing the steps from the good ol' Uncle Tupelo days to the baby steps of 2004's A Ghost is Born, Kot gives a nice overview of the story up until that point. That being said, so much has happened in the saga since its hard to leave off just when Tweedy went into rehab at the beginning of 2004. Hindsight being what it is, it's funny to see whether the band's lineup could ever match the Jay Bennett-helmed Summ...more
I can't believe I waited four years to read this book. If you like the band but don't love them, you won't find this very interesting. But if you're even mildly obsessed, you have to get a copy. Of course, the great material is really the information contained in this book, not necessarily its writing style. It's well-researched though, and full of affection for the band and the music. Some of the writing about the songs in particular is very good- it makes you appreciate how difficult it must b...more
I have heard stories that some of Kot's methods for getting interviews from people like Jay Farrar weren't exactly on the up-and-up (he reportedly told Farrar he was writing a book on the early alt. country scene instead of one about his ex-bandmate's highly successful band). Interesting also that Brian Henneman and even Jeff Tweedy himself were pretty down on Kot and the final product. Still a very good book, though feels a tad bit padded towards the end. The Warner Bros./Yankee Hotel Foxtrot i...more
I'm not the best person to comment on this book as:
1) I am a die-hard Wilco/Jeff Tweedy fan
2) I haven't read many music biographies at all
Point 1) means that I found the book gripping the whole way through, even through the band's less dramatic periods (although, were there any?). Point 2) means that I couldn't tell you how Kot's writing compares to other biographers' as I have very little to compare it to. It would be fair to say that he presents a balanced view of the b...more
1) I am a die-hard Wilco/Jeff Tweedy fan
2) I haven't read many music biographies at all
Point 1) means that I found the book gripping the whole way through, even through the band's less dramatic periods (although, were there any?). Point 2) means that I couldn't tell you how Kot's writing compares to other biographers' as I have very little to compare it to. It would be fair to say that he presents a balanced view of the b...more
Obviously one is probably going to be a Wilco fan if he or she is going to dive into this book. As one who could be qualified as such, the book is pretty damn pleasing.
For those of you whom the author's name does not ring a bell, Greg Kot is the co-host of music talk show, Sound Opinions, and the music critic at the Chicago Tribune. If you are familiar with his work, then you would not be shocked to find that Wilco: Learning How To Die is a thoughtful look at Wilco as one of the ba...more
For those of you whom the author's name does not ring a bell, Greg Kot is the co-host of music talk show, Sound Opinions, and the music critic at the Chicago Tribune. If you are familiar with his work, then you would not be shocked to find that Wilco: Learning How To Die is a thoughtful look at Wilco as one of the ba...more
It was great reading this for all of the history, but Greg Kot should stay away from writing books. It might work for music reviews in the Chicago Tribune (where he's the music writer), but his style gets seriously tired and trite-sounding the more you read.
I still liked it.
Also, my great-uncle lives in the same little town Jeff Tweedy was born in. Weird.
I still liked it.
Also, my great-uncle lives in the same little town Jeff Tweedy was born in. Weird.
Great look at how Jeff's motivation to be the most insightful songwriter of our generation grew out of insecurity and manic depression. Kot explores Tweedy's "crash and burn" years in depth, which would give way to his eventual successful rehabilitation.
Otherwise, it's always fun to get a behind-the-scenes look at a rock n' roll life. Particularly interesting is the destructive relationship Bennett and Tweedy once had together. Bennett's need to impress Tweedy by controlli...more
Otherwise, it's always fun to get a behind-the-scenes look at a rock n' roll life. Particularly interesting is the destructive relationship Bennett and Tweedy once had together. Bennett's need to impress Tweedy by controlli...more
People that know me will look at my 5 star rating of this book and say something close to, "Of course he gave it 5 stars, he is a Wilco freak". While yes that is true, I do LOVE WILCO, this book deserves the 5 stars for much more than just that reason. While Sam Jones' film, I am Trying to Break Your Heart, shows Wilco during that now infamous time period of turmoil, "Learning How to Die" tells the musical story of Jeff Tweedy beginning just previous to his time in Uncle Tupe...more
I'm a fan of the radio show / podcast soundopinions.org - 2 rock critics who talk music every week. One of them authored this book about Wilco (a band I liked) so I thought I'd check it out.
It was okay... a little bit VH1 behind the music like - but interesting nonetheless as Wilco is now in its 4th or 5th iteration...
It was okay... a little bit VH1 behind the music like - but interesting nonetheless as Wilco is now in its 4th or 5th iteration...
An enjoyably complete biopic on Wilco. Greg Kot has long removed himself from the objective observer category with respect to this band, but manages to write a balanced and informative text in any case. Interviews are well-collected and incisively used. Sadly, a 2009 reading makes this a bit dated.
I had been meaning to read this for awhile. It was published about the time "A Ghost is Born" was released. It's definitely interesting and insightful... Though, I think you really need to be familiar with the band and their music to truly appreciate it.
Cindy
rated it
Recommends it for:
wilco fanatics, alt. country fans
Recommended to Cindy by:
wilco voices in my head
ok, i had to throw this one out there, cuz like sp88 and other friends, i'm a wilco addict; and not ashamed to admit it. and so is greg kot; and he's got this band down - the good, the bad and everything inbetween. excellent historical perspective of the evolution of tweedy from southern illinois homeboy, up to 'a ghost is born'. written with cooperation from past and present band members it gives excellent insight to the trials and tribulations of 'making it' in the music industry. jeff doe...more
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I read majority of this book over 3 days, and wouldn't have put it down if I didn't have to work. I was surprised at how well written it was, and was presented more as a story, than a biography of any sorts.
Very fascinating book, especially for the pre-Wilco attention (oh yeah, Uncle Tupelo was a far superior band!). I recomend this hand-in-hand with the film 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart'.
Wonderful overview of a truly amazing but humble band. From when Jeff Tweedy was in Uncle Tupelo to the critically acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Greg Kot did a great job.
Until there is a better Wilco bio, and one is needed, this is good enough to read
This book was a great ride through the history of Tweedy. Kot's style is clear and direct, and thoroughly engaging. In his illumination of Tweedyology, Kot never downplays the frontman's faults, but you still come out at the end feeling like he's a guy you'd love to have as a friend (most of the time). Being from St. Louis, but having missed out on the Uncle Tupelo phenomenon, I felt like this book gave me a chance to play catch-up. It also gave me an extensive list of authors and musicians to c...more
Loved it! Must read for any Wilco fan.
Easy way to learn a lot about Wilco.
Only if you like Wilco
Written by Greg Kot, of Sound Opinions on NPR. Kot catalogs Jeff Tweedy and Wilco from pre-Uncle Tupelo all the way to A Ghost is Born. A substantial portion of the book is pre-Wilco, but it definitely provides a foundation for understanding the dynamics of Uncle Tupelo and subsequent personality conflicts throughout Wilco's career. Kot is clearly a fan and some of the band-name dropping was way over my head, but a good read. It makes me appreciate Wilco's arrangement of music and their developm...more
This book is about the making of (probably) my favorite album of all time, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." If you don't know the back story behind the making, and ultimately the releasing of this album... and why this controversy is important or interesting; definitely check this one out. Read an any album review (like the one on pitchfork....http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/23177-yankee-hotel-foxtrot) and you'll get a little bit of a back story. I recommend this book and t...more
Spoiler alert: Jeff Tweedy is kind of a dick.
This book is well written for a biography but a lot of the musical references and obscure band comparisons are a little beyond me. I like Wilco and borrowed the book from a friend. I think people who are very into Wilco and enjoyed Uncle Tupelo before that would enjoy this book. True music aficionados may get more out of this book than I am, alot of the bands I had never heard of. It's tough to come out of this not thinking Jeff Tweedy is an asshole.
Okay, I'm still sticking to my Jay Farrar is better guns, but this has helped me develop a respect for Wilco that was dubious at best before I got my hands on this book...the history of Uncle Tupelo, and the story of the Mermaid Avenue sessions (and Tweedy's subsequent falling out with Billy Bragg, leading to a split tour) are just damn fascinating. That said, the book has still done NOTHING to explain to me how one can assassin down the avenue...
have to second another review I read on here, which is to say that one can know too much about a band. Wilco are a rare one, and the history of Uncle Tupelo is nicely included, but perhaps we're just too close to a career that is still reaching new peaks to appreciate their story in full at this point. It certainly doesn't quite carry the benefit of nostalgia or personality that one gets from reading, say, Dylan's autobiography.
This book somehow heightened my already-strong love for Greg Kot and had the added bonus of rekindling my interest in Jeff Tweedy/Wilco. Mr. Kot does an excellent job of somehow not taking sides in describing a band, or really person, in which others have been repeatedly forced to take sides. You know, Jeff Tweedy or the person he's decided he doesnt like. Really interesting and really well-written.
Wilco is my favorite modern-day band, and Greg Kot does a fine job with this band/Tweedy bio. My only complaint is that it's a tad light on early history and a touch heavy on the whole Yankee Hotel Foxtrot fiasco (even though it's an inspiring story). Still, it's a bit premature for a definitive bio of this band... they're still making great music, after all!
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