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Multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett was one of the main architects of Wilco's sound until he departed that band for other ventures. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Edward Burch has done time in a number of bands, occasionally crossing paths with Bennett along the way. Freed of outside constrictions, the pair holed themselves up to make THE PALACE AT 4 AM, playing an unsettlingly wide array of instruments and co-writing all the songs together. If history is just, it will put THE PALACE and the contemporaneous Wilco album in the same relative context as the first Wilco and Son Volt recordings after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. Bennett and Burch's effort does indeed sound like the Wilco record that might have been. There's less of Jeff Tweedy's willful eccentricity and shambling Big Star fixation and more focus on writing and musicianship, but the mix of alt-country, power-pop, and psychedelia influences should make fans of BEING THERE feel right at home.
Personnel: Jay Bennett (guitar, tiple, banjo, electric sitar, piano, Clavinet, organ, pump organ, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, omnichord, synthesizer, xylophone, drums, percussion); Edward Burch (vocals, guitar, tiple, piano, pump organ, synthesizer, percussion); Max Johnston (banjo); Melissa Bach (cello); Nate Walcott (trumpet, flugelhorn); James Singleton (upright bass); Brad Elvis, John Richardson , Ken Coomer, Alex Moore, Brendan Gamble (drums).
Audio Mixers: Edward Burch; Jon Pines; Jay Bennett; Ken Sluiter; Mike Hagler.
Additional personnel: Max Johnston (banjo); Sarah Jacques, Jody Livo (violin); Erielle Haddaway (viola); Melissa Bach (cello); Riley Broach (calrinet); Nate Walcott (trumpet, flugelhorn); John Stirratt, Adam Schmitt, (bass); James Singleton (upright bass); Alex Moore, John Richardson, Brad Elvis, Brendan Gamble, Ken Coomer (drums).
CMJ (5/27/02, p.10) - "...A monster of a record...containing over an hour of engaging, heavily-orchestrated pop music with more than a few moments of roots-rock glory..." Paste (magazine) - "[A] fascinating album that stands with the gorgeous power of Wilco's SUMMERTEETH and the best of the Pernice Brothers or Beulah."
Simply Great The multi-instrument guru behind Wilco's best music, Bennett delivers on this album; the orchestration of instruments MUST be heard to be believed. Anyone who really likes music should have this record. One catchy song after another. Wilco surely will miss Jay! Submitted by laportebrian (LA, California) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
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