Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Wilco · 2000
49 min · 15 tracks · alternative country
A tapestry of American roots, weaving folk melodies with poetic storytelling and experimental instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Airline to Heaven Start here — This track encapsulates the album's essence with its haunting melody and reflective lyrics that mirror Guthrie's spirit of hope amidst despair.
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Remember the Mountain Bed — Its intricate harmonies and emotional depth highlight the band's lyrical prowess, capturing themes of nostalgia and longing inherent in Guthrie's writings.
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All You Fascists — This politically charged song stands out for its urgent delivery and contemporary relevance, demonstrating how Guthrie’s messages resonate in modern contexts.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends folk and experimental sounds with strong narratives but lacks tight cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as 'Airline to Heaven,' which shifts between different musical sections.
- The lyrics are often narrative-driven, with storytelling elements that reflect personal and historical themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- poignant storytelling in melodies
- reflective moments for solitude
- short tracks for quick engagement
- eclectic sounds for varied moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — 'Mermaid Avenue Vol. II' showcases Wilco's blend of folk and modern sensibilities, appealing to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- Woody Guthrie's legacy· political urgency· nostalgic longing
- Career context
- Released on May 30, 2000, 'Mermaid Avenue Vol. II' is Wilco's third studio album and the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 'Summerteeth'. At this stage in their career, the band was exploring more avant-garde approaches while collaborating with Billy Bragg to set Woody Guthrie's unrecorded lyrics to music, marking a significant evolution in their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Jayhawks· Son Volt· My Morning Jacket
Tracklist
- 1 Airline to Heaven Start here 4:49
- 2 My Flying Saucer 1:45
- 3 Feed of Man 4:08
- 4 Hot Rod Hotel 3:17
- 5 I Was Born 1:50
- 6 Secret of the Sea 2:42
- 7 Stetson Kennedy 2:40
- 8 Remember the Mountain Bed 6:26
- 9 Blood of the Lamb 4:16
- 10 Aginst th’ Law 3:03
- 11 All You Fascists 2:43
- 12 Joe DiMaggio Done It Again 2:31
- 13 Meanest Man 3:46
- 14 Black Wind Blowing 3:00
- 15 Someday Some Morning Sometime 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Mermaid Avenue, Vol. III
Billy Bragg
Shares the same lyrical focus on Woody Guthrie's words, blending folk with a modern twist.
Picaresque
The Decemberists
Combines narrative-driven songwriting with eclectic instrumentation and a sense of Americana.
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
Offers a rich tapestry of storytelling and diverse instrumentation, echoing themes of nostalgia and history.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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