It List: Thursday 10/12/06

Wilco/The Altered Statesman (Will Rogers): When I think about it (which I rarely do), I kind of see Wilco as a band that has been used by a lot of people. They are used by yuppies as a name drop to stay "hip" with the kids, they are used as a rallying cry against clueless major label A&R people that would be dumb enough to think a record as good as you know what wouldn't sell, and they are often used by hipsters as a measuring stick for how successful a band is allowed to become before they are considered lame. All in all, I can't say that I quite feel sorry for Tweedy and the rest of the millionaires, but I can say that the concept of Wilco is probably a lot bigger than anyone in the band ever intended it to be, and that with the kind of success they've enjoyed, some negative reactions and backlash are bound to follow. I wasn't quite crazy about their last record, and I think their music is generally held on a pedestal that is just a bit higher than it should be. However, I've seen them live twice, and they were excellent both times. Furthermore, I don't think their artistic integrity, adventurous compositions and ability to make the strange accessible should be overlooked as easily as they often are. Wilco is a band that has become so good at what they do that their excellence almost seems run of the mill to many of us that enjoy them so much. Don't know where I'm going with this really, but I guess I'm trying to say that I like Wilco quite a bit, but I'm just not excited enough about their show to drive to Ft. Worth.

Of course, you can also hit up Zoo at the Cavern tonight, as well as hip hop at Slip Inn and 80's Dance night with Dj G.

And locals Sarah Reddington will be playing with Spitfire Tumbleweeds and Peter and the Wolf at Rubber Gloves.