Adult Head

(Disclaimer: I think I have been pretty objective here but you should know that I am a huge Wilco fan.) I am not sure how I would have felt about the poems in Jeff Tweedy's Adult Head had I read it prior to the release of Wilco's album "A Ghost is Born". Several of the poems, or at least some of their individual stanzas, have since appeared in song format on that album and changes, somewhat, the idea that the writing in Adult Head is poetry in a traditional sense. Lyrics for "Company in my Back", "Muzzle of Bees", "At Least That's What You Said", "Hell is Chrome", "I'm a Wheel", and probably some that I've missed, all appear in infant form within these poems making "Adult Head" more like an intimate portrait of Tweedy's songwriting process than a book of poetry. Imagery and ideas are occasionally repeated ("Prayer #2"/"Muzzle", "Sister Invention"/"I'm a Wheel", "At Night"/"Blueheart Chrome") as if they are being polished until fit just right. Other times the "inital draft" feel is clear and a few pieces feel as if they have been meshed from several different thoughts. Often in the same poem a stanza will resonate all on its own but feel off kilter in context of the entire piece. "First This" is a strong example of the order (or disorder) of some of these works. The first two stanzas of "First This" hold together well but the third takes the reader just off base. However, if the poem is read with the last stanza first, the cohesiveness of the piece seems to come together and progress more readily. Of course, this may have been Tweedy's intention (especially in this case - the poem IS titled "First This"...) but the technique proves more of a distraction than a pause to consider. It seems Tweedy may even be aware of this weakness as he broke down the piece "Muzzle" into two separate songs on "Ghost is Born" - the first three stanzas becoming "Muzzle of Bees" and the last two becoming "At Least That's What You Said". All of that said, there is still plenty of fresh material. "Way of Light (Christmas, 1978)" and its companion piece "Christmas, 1978, Later" catch the enormous emotional charge of coming of age - the pain of learning that childhood's magic is often just mundane trickery. "Doris" and "The Bench-Warmers Daughter" create such crystal clear character studies Tweedy might as well have pasted down photos as soon as words. "Easy Bake Oven" is innocently seething with its final line, "...and I've never been too sad to eat." And there are, of course, those pieces that are just waiting to burst into song - "Temper, Temper", "Poison Color", "Blueheart Chrome". Overall, an interesting body of work that should definately be revisited in light of "A Ghost is Born". A great companion piece to the cd but also a stand-alone book of unorthodox and highly personal poetry.

When I moved to Chicago from the suburbs I met a few people who introduced me to Wilco as I am a music fan. After watching Wilco's movie (I am trying to break your heart), reading their books (learning how to die and The Wilco Book), seeing them in concert at Madison Square Gardens front row (Jeff in his pajama'a) and then reading his poetry is more then beauty, its more then poetry, it's real, it's life. In one of Wilco's songs, Jeff quotes " He takes all his lyrics from the books that you don't read anways". It's amazing how true that statement really is. And as the songs play in my head, its pure poetry, I read the poems and when he uses the poety with the music, this amazing sound comes out. Most people do not realize that not only is Jeff Tweedy one of the best song writer's/musician's, he is an amazing poet. And as the songs play in my head, reality is there, nothing hiding the truth.

This was an intimate and great read. I couldn't put the book down and that doesn't happen often at all for me with poetry books. Each poem took me further into the twisted psyche of the writer. When I first started reading the poems I must admit I didn't think much but than lines like "the best way/to feel your blood is to lie";" o, and then the blood will pound/discoteque-esqe" jumped out at me. Some of Tweedy's stanzas remind me of zen phrases,simple thoughts that speak a heavy truth, "the best laughs/never leave your lungs/and the best life/is art/never made." Best of all, these poems are more enjoyable with each reread.

Although I haven't read the entire text of this book yet, I have read several excerpts from it and have been a Wilco fan for several years. Just from listening to Tweedy's lyrics in his songs, you can tell he has a natural penchant for poetry. His words are very down to earth, heartfelt, and offer a glimpse into our souls. I recommend checking out this book along with Wilco's Cd's. All of them are great, especially Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Summer Teeth. If your sick of the same old cliched poetry and music, check this out and I guarantee you'll be pleased. Here's one of the poems from the book that I got off of zoopress.org, the publisher's website. The Black Hours - GMH are almost gone the night is dissolving in a cup of god lifted to toast the lightning lightly tapping high-pitched as it hums and as your spine shines with your soul, a shiver, a fist so clear and trying to climb into the unlit sky you can see there's so much less to this than you think your mind's a machine that's deadly and dull it's never been still and its will has never been free it's almost dawn and it's snowing again I have never seen so much night The imagery is always intense, and when a poem reads like a well-crafted song it's only more enjoyable to read. Definitly check this one out.