Sunday, February 13, 2005

"Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue, Volume II"

Volume II picks up right where the first volume left off. Stylistically, there's really no difference between this album and the first one--lots of strummed guitars, a country-rock vibe, and wry, intelligent lyrics. The Guthrie lyrics for this album feel more political and vitrolic than the first time around, probably purposely so.

Both Bragg and Wilco are in fine form throughout, providing a wonderful collection of tunes to go along with Guthrie's lyrics. Wilco's performances are especially worthwhile this time around, specifically on the opener, "Airline to Heaven" and the closer, "Somebody Some Morning Sometime." The former sounds like a gospel tent revival rave up, and the latter is a beautiful, meloncholy meditation on love and mortality.

The heart of the album is another Wilco-led tune, "Remember the Mountain Bed," a beautiful, winding narrative. Among the other highlights are the Bragg tune "My Flying Saucer" (a goofy and lighthearted song about a man begging to be abducted), the snarling "All You Fascists," and the George Harrison-esque "Secret of the Sea." Really, the entire album is worthwhile, and flows better than the first record did. It seems much shorter than it is, each song flitting past, leaving a tantilizing trail of images and sounds.

Really, this disc is every bit as enjoyable as the first Mermaid Avenue record. Wilco's voice seems stronger on this outing, which is either better or worse depending on your opinion of their work. Overall, this is highly recommended as one of the most entertaining, energetic, and enlightening collections of the past several years.

~chuck

Song of the Moment: Billy Bragg & Wilco, "All You Fascists"

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