Search - Edward Burch, Jay Bennett :: The Palace At 4am (Part I)

Clarifying raven2017

Edward Burch | Champaign, IL USA | 07/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I could not submit a review without giving it a rating, so I randomly went with 4 stars.



Jay Bennett did not simply "have a hand" in writing "My Darlin'.'' Rather he WROTE the song. Our version (the one which appears on P4AM) is the original, and Summerteeth's is the cover, in spite of their flip-flopped order of release.



As for "Shakin' Sugar" and "Venus," we have always been very clear right from the start that these songs were Tweedy/Bennett collaborations ("check your fileshares" suggests cloak-and-dagger antics). If "Sugar" sounds like Wilco's "Alone," it shouldn't be surprising because the basic tracks are the same. WHY are they the same? Because Jay Bennett played EVERY instrument on the Wilco version. We simply added some more stuff to it and put it on our record.



As to whether people like our record better or Wilco's records better, I do not really care. I make records because I enjoy it. I just wanted to clarify a mis-informed opinion.



Thanks,

Edward Burch"

Beautiful uplifting pop

imants | Bora Bora | 05/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With all the praise and adoration being heaped upon Jay Bennett's former band Wilco's new release "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" it seems ironic that Jay's new recorded collaboration with Edward Burch is an overlooked gem. It's obvious that in Bennett's recent departure from Wilco that he took a lot with him. I received this disc at the same time as Wilco's YHF and I find myself reaching for this one over YHF. While not as original sounding or experimental as YHF, "The Palace at 4am (Part 1)" evokes 60s and 70s pop sounds. The songwriting here is stellar. At times a little too Elvis Costello sounding but this is no knock against the album. The production and layering are almost over-the-top but beautifully done with all kinds of instruments and sounds popping up out of the blue. I highly recommend this CD and look forward to Bennett and Burch's next release."

70's Pop Sound

gopherus | Missouri | 04/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Palace at 4AM (Part 1) has the same classic pop sound that Wilco's Summerteeth showcased. The layers of sound can become too much on some songs by burying the vocals. (eg. Puzzle Heart and Shakin' Sugar). But for the most part the album shines. Whispers or Screams hook instantly grabs you and the dark sounds of No Church Tonite pulls you into the album. Although Bennett and Burch probably should have left a few tunes off this album - the other 11 or 12 keepers make it a great listen."