Billy Bragg & Wilco – Mermaid Avenue

Album Info

Artist: Billy Bragg & Wilco

Title: Mermaid Avenue

Year: 1998

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Tracklist

1. Walt Whitman's Niece (3:53)
2. California Stars (4:58)
3. Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key (4:06)
4. Birds And Ships (2:15)
5. Hoodoo Voodoo (3:12)
6. She Came Along To Me (3:28)
7. At My Window Sad And Lonely (3:27)
8. Ingrid Bergman (1:50)
9. Christ For President (2:42)
10. I Guess I Planted (3:33)
11. One By One (3:25)
12. Eisler On The Go (2:57)
13. Hesitating Beauty (3:05)
14. Another Man's Done Gone (1:36)
15. The Unwelcome Guest (5:05)

Review

'Mermaid Avenue' is a fascinating botanical cross-pollination of musical styles, blending the lyrical seeds of Woody Guthrie with the melodic cultivars of Billy Bragg and Wilco. Released in 1998, this album is like a carefully tended garden, where each track grows from Guthrie's unpublished words, nurtured by contemporary musical arrangements.

The diverse sonic ecosystem of 'Mermaid Avenue' spans from the hardy perennial folk roots to the more exotic blooms of punk and alternative rock. Songs like 'California Stars' and 'Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key' showcase Wilco's Americana-tinged soundscape, while 'Hoodoo Voodoo' and 'Christ For President' sprout with a more rebellious energy. This variety creates a rich musical biodiversity that keeps the listener engaged throughout the album's runtime.

Just as a skilled horticulturist might graft new varieties onto established rootstock, Bragg and Wilco have successfully grafted modern melodies onto Guthrie's timeless lyrics. The result is an album that honors its folk heritage while flourishing in contemporary soil. This innovative approach earned 'Mermaid Avenue' critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination, proving that with careful cultivation, even decades-old lyrics can bear fresh fruit for new audiences. - Claire