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Reviews
Let's Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. by Jeff Tweedy
jwinchell's review
5.0
I can’t recall reading any other music-related memoir, so it was all new to me to bear witness to this musician I have long admired break down his musical empire in ways that I could understand. Tweedy’s memoir is a conversation with the reader. The first chapter, in which he falls all over himself explaining what he wants to do and not do in the book, and the Epilogue, in which he pulls the title all together with the stories he’s told, are consistent with the many times he directly asks the reader a question or otherwise addresses us. I loved the chronicle of his life and the evolution of his creativity- childhood musical allure, Jay Farrar and Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and Jay Bennett, all the albums I’ve known and loved, his boys, his new solo album. He writes compellingly about how he makes music and why. Addiction is a major part of the story he tells; I found his rawness so refreshing and relatable after having a total breakdown in my early 40s as well. I felt so nostalgic for the days in which I discovered Wilco and listened to them all the time, and then also for the days when my now husband introduced me to Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt. Whatever old band mates or others might say about his weaknesses and bullshit (which sometimes I felt lurking under the surface of the stories he told of times gone bad), I feel so enriched this conversation with Jeff Tweedy and I’m so grateful he’s still making music that is important to my life.
moviebuffkt's review
5.0
This was a moment of Right Book Right Time for me. I’ve been a middling Wilco fan for 10ish years, I love seeing the band live and they call up very specific Chicago memories for me. But I would never say I was a superfan meaning I didn’t know much of their history.
This book is as honest as I imagine many memoirs can be. It’s vulnerable, snide, and wryly funny in the way that Jeff Tweedy just IS. Listen to the audio, he reads it and there is a bonus outro song. You’ll find yourself wanting to revisit every Wilco album and side project again.
This book is as honest as I imagine many memoirs can be. It’s vulnerable, snide, and wryly funny in the way that Jeff Tweedy just IS. Listen to the audio, he reads it and there is a bonus outro song. You’ll find yourself wanting to revisit every Wilco album and side project again.
lindsayclaire's review
5.0
I love Jeff with my whole heart and this was a really beautiful look into his life and mind.
debi_g's review
4.0
My family was so eager for this book that we accidentally preordered two copies.
The bits about his songwriting process were my favorite. The influence of books, the mumble tracks= fascinating. I also enjoyed his ruminations on vulnerability as an asset and on creativity as a product of work ethic and drive.
This was a nostalgic read for me: Cicero’s, Mississippi Nights, Euclid Records...and friends of mine who saw Wilco every time they played St. Louis. It was also a fascinating glimpse behind the songs I know so well. Books like this remind me how much I depend upon music and appreciate good lyrics and originality of instrumentation.
The bits about his songwriting process were my favorite. The influence of books, the mumble tracks= fascinating. I also enjoyed his ruminations on vulnerability as an asset and on creativity as a product of work ethic and drive.
This was a nostalgic read for me: Cicero’s, Mississippi Nights, Euclid Records...and friends of mine who saw Wilco every time they played St. Louis. It was also a fascinating glimpse behind the songs I know so well. Books like this remind me how much I depend upon music and appreciate good lyrics and originality of instrumentation.
interrowhimper's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this and learned some new stuff. A few lines struck me as brilliant. Some made me laugh out loud. I got everything I wanted out of a memoir, really.
lumakip's review
5.0
Going into this I must let you know that I am s huge Tweedy fan as is. I don't think that is going to color this review, but it might. This is a fantastic book that is written so conversationally that it's hard to not imagine he's across from you telling the story of his days. It's extraordinarily interesting and just a great read. Well done
kyrakristin's review
4.0
I don't know what it is about band memoirs but I love them.
Aside from this being a personal recommendation by Leah, I have stared at this book as it's sat on our shelf for the past month. The black and white cover captivated me for some reason I cannot explain, but it made me want to read the book even more.
When beginning my read, I had only listened really to Jesus, Etc. and California Stars by Wilco. Chapter by chapter though, Tweedy would talk about specific songs and as I listened to more of their albums it was a really cool experience to hear the backstories to their creation. Not only does Tweedy go through his songwriting process, but he also introduces you to the way he listens to his own music. His view on the "tortured artist" mentality was something I really latched onto.
Another one of my favorite things in this book was the way Tweedy told his stories, ranging from typical first person text in the book or to a comic about a spark with his wife, to transcribed conversations with her and his son about what he should include in the memoir. These were fun ways to shake up the book and I think they were expertly placed throughout.
Lastly, I'm having fun finding out what era of Wilco I enjoy most.
Aside from this being a personal recommendation by Leah, I have stared at this book as it's sat on our shelf for the past month. The black and white cover captivated me for some reason I cannot explain, but it made me want to read the book even more.
When beginning my read, I had only listened really to Jesus, Etc. and California Stars by Wilco. Chapter by chapter though, Tweedy would talk about specific songs and as I listened to more of their albums it was a really cool experience to hear the backstories to their creation. Not only does Tweedy go through his songwriting process, but he also introduces you to the way he listens to his own music. His view on the "tortured artist" mentality was something I really latched onto.
Because I think that artists create in spite of suffering, not because of suffering. Everyone suffers by degrees and I believe everyone has the capacity to create, but I think you’re one of the lucky ones if you found an outlet for your discomfort or a way to cope through art (Tweedy 90).
Another one of my favorite things in this book was the way Tweedy told his stories, ranging from typical first person text in the book or to a comic about a spark with his wife, to transcribed conversations with her and his son about what he should include in the memoir. These were fun ways to shake up the book and I think they were expertly placed throughout.
Lastly, I'm having fun finding out what era of Wilco I enjoy most.
I think I’ve finally stopped worrying about getting back from somewhere less comfortable -- some place where I’m sure I’m going to be miserable. I believe I’m starting to be “okay” wherever I am. I think I’m ready to just say, “Let’s go" (Tweedy 279).
muldr99's review
5.0
I love everything this man has ever written, including this book. One day I would like to meet him, just to say thank you (for nothing) for the rock and roll, and all the times it has been the thing that got me through.
kerryanndunn's review
5.0
I didn’t want this book to end. It’s so special, so perfect. I mean, I’ve been a Wilco fan from the beginning so I expected this book would be FOR ME, but what I didn’t expect was how hilarious, touching, honest, sincere, and profound Jeff Tweedy would be in telling his story, and in tandem, Wilco’s story. I always know a book is excellent when I can’t stop myself from reading passages aloud to my husband. I do it because I NEED TO SHARE THE BRILLIANCE IMMEDIATELY. I read a lot of passages aloud from this book. I was so impressed throughout by Jeff’s writing style, humor, and candor. There is heavy stuff in here. And light stuff. And love. And music. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
joannabooks23's review
5.0
5 Solid Gold Stars!
I loved this book so much. I’ve been CONSTANTLY blathering about this book.
Loved his growing up stories from the 70’s in IL. Loved all his stories about discovering punk music. I had my assumptions about him and they were all wrong. Super touching stories about his family, being a dad and working through addiction.
Can’t wait till I see Wilco again in October!
If you love rock music in general, read it. You do not have to be a Wilco fan to appreciate this memoir. However, you may become one before the epilogue is through.
I loved this book so much. I’ve been CONSTANTLY blathering about this book.
Loved his growing up stories from the 70’s in IL. Loved all his stories about discovering punk music. I had my assumptions about him and they were all wrong. Super touching stories about his family, being a dad and working through addiction.
Can’t wait till I see Wilco again in October!
If you love rock music in general, read it. You do not have to be a Wilco fan to appreciate this memoir. However, you may become one before the epilogue is through.