Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
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Free Music Notes for Wilco (The Album)
Free Music Review: Finally at ease with itself
Hit: 4 Stars
Lead singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy seems to be no longer obsessed with being a shapeshifter. Wilco has re-invented itself so many times it's hard to keep track. The sonic experimentations of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot led to the schizophrenia of A Ghost is Born, which led to the quiet, subdued (some would say, boring) Sky Blue Sky. One never knew what to expect from the next record, and it's been hard for even the most die-hard Wilco fan to follow Tweedy down each path he took.
Wilco (the album) seems to be an attempt to strip away the chameleon-like feeling of the past albums and to let listeners know more about the "real" Wilco, the one that is interested in simple melodies, creative rhyme signatures, and just a twinge of country. To me it's akin to Radiohead's album In Rainbows, in which the band took all of the experimentation they did before and used it on a set of songs where they realized they no longer had anything to prove. The music can stand on its own without unnecessary whistles, bells, angst, or other masks that may entice the ears but keep the listener's soul at a safe distance.
Wilco (the album) begins with a love letter to fans in Wilco (the song), which is equal parts tongue in cheek and honest ode, and leads to two more songs which are notable for their lyrics. Deeper Down is ostensibly the story of a boxer who comes to some sort of metaphysical realization about life, and One Wing has lyrics that will make anyone who has just broken up with someone simply cry. Bull Black Nova is the Kidsmoke of this album, but is much more focused - a good thing.
The winner of the second half of the album, to me, is I'll Fight, which you will find yourself singing in spite of yourself. There are very few filler songs on Wilco (the album), and it truly has the best flow since YHF (album flow has never been Wilco's strong suit). It makes me wish that Wilco's next set will be similar in feel to this, but it's Wilco. Who the hell knows.
Free Music Review: 4.5 Stars! Return to Roots
Hit: 4 Stars
Wilco has been one of my favorite (the favorite) bands ever since I heard Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and this album continues the band's enduring legacy of great music. Wilco (the album) finds the band returning to their alt-country roots with more relaxed mood and less complex song-writing. This album reminds me of the vibe I got from Being There or Summerteeth.
Jeff Tweedy sounds like he is finally comfortable with himself and the band, which gives this album a really relaxed and laid-back feeling. Tweedy's song-writing has stayed strong and his vocals mesh well with the band. There are no big rockers on this album like Sky Blue Sky or Ghost is Born, but it's ok because all of the songs fit together so well, in the calmer atmosphere of this album as a whole.
The album opens with Wilco (the song), a shuffle that gives a good taste of the band. Leslie Feist is featured on "You and I," the vocalist from the group Feist. She sings a duet with Tweedy which makes for a beautiful song. This is followed by You Never Know, which sounds almost reminiscent of a song from George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass." The album is mostly a peaceful affair, such as "Solitaire," one of the calmest Wilco songs I've ever heard. The experimental and rock-out that were common on the last few albums can only be glimpsed at on the last few songs of the album, like on the catchy "I'll Fight."
This is a very tight album packed with feel-good, relaxing, country-tinged songs. The band sounds as good as ever; like they finally feel at home with themselves. The songs are all 3-4 minute range and the album is around 43 minutes total, so it's not overdone, and will give you many hours of listening pleasure!
Free Music Review: Nels Cline's backup band turns in a pop confection
Hit: 4 Stars
Truth is, Jeff Tweedy writes nice folk-roots-pop songs that Nels Cline takes to other places altogether. Less Cline and the formidable powers who comprise the band, Tweedy is a bit like a modern day Richie Furay. That's not a cut, just an indication that his safety resides in these numbers.
That said, there is a lot to commend this record, even if it does argue for an Uncle Tupelo reunion. The opening track is a tongue and cheek amuse bouche to the fan base, but is ennervated by the distortions that Cline brings to the proceedings. That is pretty much the blueprint throughout. To wit, on Letterman on July 14, Wilco performed "You and I" with Feist (in a cocktail dress that really wasn't working for her) . Feist will remind no one of Mitchell or the McGarrigles, but she delivered a complimentary offset to Tweedy's nasal paean, much as she does on the CD. The camera, wisely, focused on Cline because that's where the nuanced fireworks were on display. That was abundantly clear at last December's concert stop in Philly where Wilco opened for Neil Young. It REALLY was Cline with a backup band and a singer. While this CD is considerably less explosive than that concert date, the strengths are in the subversions and augmentations Cline brings to the songs. Kotche is, as ever, a stalwart drummer who locks the groove for bass, keyboards and guitars with very steady guidance. All in all, you'll find this, on its surface, less sonically edgy than "Sky Blue Sky" or "Ghost", but listen to what is happening just below the surface of Tweedy's gossamer tunes.
Well worth a download, this is a CD for the summer. Now, onto Son Volt!
Free Music Review: Wilco delivers the goods
Hit: 4 Stars
Wilco is a tough band to deal with. They take chances. They cannot be pigeonholed. They do not cowtow towards fans, critics or anybody else. And, unfortunately, they can be a victim of their own success. This is a good cd, with some terrific songs. The musicianship is spellbinding and the song writing top rate.
I fell in love with this band on "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". That cd is meant to be listened to, from start to finish...like "Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". Their follow up, "A Ghost is Born", really in the same vein, was also a wonderfully adventerous work. The problem is that you cannot always create only masterpieces, it's an unrealistic expectation.
Wilco (the album) is good, classic Wilco. It's a more quiet work, with virtuostic yet very subdued playing. Yet, there is still real good stuff on it with not a lame track, and some great tunes like "Bull Black Nova" (classic avante garde/experimental Wilco), "You Never Know", "Everlasting, everything" and "Sonny Feeling".
"Sky Blue Sky" was thought to be a lesser work and now, in hindsight, "Impossible Germany", "Walken" and "What Light" rank way up there with their other great songs.
Jeff Tweedy is past 40 and guitar ace Nels Cline (who is awesome and brings a lot to the band) is past 50. You will have to expect maturity with their work.
With this being their seventh work and with every album having it's own distinct personality, what other band has had this type of consistency?
Free Music Review: Wilco Is In their Happy Place
Hit: 4 Stars
Alt-country rockers Wilco have been together for a while now, but they still know how to cut a record. The addition of Nels Cline since Sky Blue Sky has added such a beautiful dimension to their music, and the joy and understanding that comes through on this record is nearly palpable. Starting from the eponymous opening track, where Jeff Tweedy asserts that through thick and thin "Wilco will love you, baby", the band enters into relational territory with the fan that few bands care to explore. Another highlight is "Bull Black Nova" which steadily builds with a noisy, consuming crescendo reminiscent of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. "You and I" is a gentle, couple's song that shows off Tweedy's softer side and songwriting ability of being able to do so much with so little. My favorite is "I'll Fight" with its messianic imagery and sacrificial message above a jaunting, spiky accompaniment. Though definitely not as ambitious as some of their earlier releases, Wilco (The Album) displays the band perfecting what they do best and leaves the listener all the better for it.