The writer needs to listen to some real art music. Wilco makes pop rock, not art.

Wilco makes pop art? Are they on the radio? Are they on MTV? They're not exactly the Jonas Brothers.

I have no doubt that Wilco brandishes an impressive sound within the confines of pop rock. Let's be perfectly clear that this is NOT "art music." The critic here represents a significant majority of our culture who cannot discriminate between "high" or "low" art. I admire the attempt to elevate this group into the higher echelons of the latter category, but I would rather favor such comparisons to music that doesn't necessarily require a predictable back beat or guitar solo.

Gotcha.

Wilco proved why they are at the upper echelon of musicians on that night. Great article.

Do you? You chide the critic for being unable to distinguish between "low" and "high" art. Seems like a rather dated understanding of art in the 21st century (or even the 20th century). I cite Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" as a paradigmatic example of what I'm talking about. Just because Wilco makes "popular" music (and there's a loaded term) don't pigeonhole what they do because their songs have a verse and a chorus. They also incorporate elements of the avant-garde in truly sophisticated and surprising ways. And I think this is just what the critic is getting it via his comparisons between Wilco and the modern art of Barcelona.

So what is your definition of Art Music then? John Cage? Philip Glass? Or are they too mainstream for you also?

Anything with a drum beat or guitar solo is out? Wow...

Get a gull-durn life! Pompous much?

I'm a Jazz Composition Major and an Artist (both High and Low...) and find bands like Wilco or Radiohead, etc. to be the closest thing we have to "art music" since they write and perform for the sake of music itself. It's from the heart and is not done out of a profound need for monetary gain.

I for one am sick of anyone saying that a true artist doesn't do ANYTHING the same as anyone else and receives no cash payment for anything they do. Name me one "High Artist" who isn't rich? Yes, those NYC weirdos who splotch a half-circle of green paint in the center of a 50-foot canvas and call it "HIGH ART". Nope, they are just HIGH!

True Art is about real people, real emotions, and real experiences, to which bands like Wilco are 100% fulfillment.

I'm just angered that I missed this show--I had no idea they were coming. :(