It's easy to debate about Uncle Tupelo's place in the evolution of "alt country" or whatever moniker the genre garners, but since I wasn't much older than 9 at the time this album was released, I'm not in a position to pontificate about that. In fact, since my musical adolesence was somewhat delayed, I didn't come to this album until my college years. However, I'm entirely glad I waited. There's a nascent love of Americana music that courses though my ears, from a childhood spend in the heart of Appalachian Pennsylvania and countless hours traipsing through abandoned industry and overgrown riverbanks, and this album, more than any other, tackles that.
A discussion on Murmurs a few weeks ago got me thinking about why I really like this album as much as I do. Certainly it's not all that "I was born to like country music" garbage, or I'd a) like a lot more country music, b) have gotten in to it sooner (rather than spending sophomore year telling then roommate that country music was for hicks. Now I find out I'm just a self loathing WASP.) and c) what realistically determines what kind of music you like? I think this third question is one that can be dealt with in a few different ways, by dissecting the math that goes into notation and chord structures or the simple fact of my dad listened to Dylan and Van Morrison, so I listen to people who similarly listened to those bands.
When it comes right down to it, music snobbery is comprised of two pieces. The first is knowing bands which no one else has heard of, maintaining vehemently that you heard of them first, and ardently collecting all their material so that you can use the phrase "I like the remix on the Japanese tour release EP better". The second is wanting to blow people's minds with music. Sometimes these go hand in hand, and Uncle Tupelo is one of these bands. Nearly everyone has heard of Wilco, if just because Tweedy is a sniveling sycophantic hack, but not as many people (besides those who appreciate the genre which is, in fact, named for their first album) know the story behind Tupes. And since this album, more than any other, encompasses the straight ahead country (regardless of the "alt") and features many of the classic covers (and seamlessly incorporated originals), it is the most representative of the entire Tupelo quatrain. The genius of the title is that this is a timeless album that is intrinsically tied to the four days over which it was recorded so that it is more than a style or a collaboration, it is a moment, and that is what music is really comprised of.
Of course, I also love Swedish pop music, which is about as twee and superficial as you can get. So WTF?
2 comments:
To quote a forgettable 80s hit, "You're a strange animal."
But not as enigmatically mysterious as I am. I radiate obscurity. Now then, what's wrong with twee music as a drug?
Was it really an 80s single? Fuck, who cares? Burn those bras, ladies. Burn those bras.
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