Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A slowly building alt-rock track with experimental electronica elements, drone, and surreal lyrics expressing isolation and desperation from Wilco's acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: introspective, melancholy, nostalgic
Traditions: alt-country, experimental rock, indie rock
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 7/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: present. This song uses surprise as a feature. For focus or background listening, it's likely to pull your attention away; for active listening, that's often the point.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.
Vocal style: dynamic vocals.
Where this sits in Wilco's catalog
We have 27 songs from Wilco in the library. Of those, 9 are rated Safe, 14 Moderate, and 4 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits above the artist average of 6.0, making it the #6 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
We have 9 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.
- Jesus Etc — safe DR 5
- Heavy Metal Drummer — safe DR 4
- Kamera — moderate DR 6
- I Am Trying to Break Your Heart — intense DR 8
- Ashes of American Flags — moderate DR 6
- Reservations — safe DR 4
- I'm the Man Who Loves You — moderate DR 6
- Radio Cure — moderate DR 5
2002 context
Released in 2002. We have 332 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.3/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2000s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Poor Places"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Poor Places" by Wilco?
"Poor Places" by Wilco rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 7/10, moderate sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Poor Places" — what is its dynamic range?
"Poor Places" has a dynamic range of 7/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "Poor Places" have sudden or surprising changes?
Yes. "Poor Places" uses surprise as a compositional feature. Expect unsignaled transitions.
What is "Poor Places" best for?
In our library "Poor Places" is recommended for: deep listening, emotional release, focus. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Poor Places" released?
"Poor Places" is from 2002, on the album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". It appears in our 2000s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Poor Places"?
We tag "Poor Places" as introspective, melancholy, nostalgic. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Poor Places"?
The vocal style is dynamic vocals.
Should I listen to "Poor Places"?
"Poor Places" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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