Ashes of American Classics: The Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Sessions

Seems like a shame to let our Album of the Decade - Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - get away with only the pithy commentary you read the other day.

So I dispatched my trusty assistant Paco down to RT's secret subterranean archives, where all manner of "unofficial" recordings are stored in a hermetically sealed, climate controlled environment. After two days without food, water or light, Paco emerged with a gem that more than justified his efforts: The Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Sessions which Rock Turtleneck is sharing with our devoted readers.

This collection of demos is fascinating for several reasons. One, the finished album is quite deliberate in its use of musical textures, and these sketches show songs like "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" still tentative but starting to take shape. "I'm The Man Who Loves You" meanwhile, is heard more in the alt-country style of their Mermaid Avenue work, fueled by dobro, not the distortion of the official release. And "Kamera" is tried several different ways that vary wildly from the R.E.M.-ish final take. Fascinating if you are into the process of record production and studio-as-instrument.

Second, many songs were recorded but discarded because they did not suit their vision of the album for one reason or another. Many of these songs are excellent. Two favorites are "A Magazine Called Sunset," and "Alone" , both super-catchy nuggets in the Brian Wilson vein they tapped on YHF's predecessor Summerteeth. "Sunset" is proof that if you're talented and work hard, you can write a good song about absolutely anything.


Thirdly, there are several fun instrumentals that show the band trying to find their sound. As the final album shows, it wasn't pretty, but they eventually found it.

Herewith, as a public service, the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Sessions for the downloadin' below. Enjoy - and be sure to tell your friends your friend Rock Turtleneck sent ya.

Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Sessions