Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009
Wilco (The Album) is available today. For me, it’s one of the best albums of the year. I can’t really call this album a grower, because I was pretty attached to it from first listen, but I can say that the more time I spend with it, the more the album continues to reward my repeated listening habit. Regardless of how great the music is, I also have a soft spot for the record because the album artwork was all captured right here in Milwaukee by Autumn De Wilde.
As far as favorite tracks from the record, I am a huge fan of the album opener, “Wilco (The Song)” which parlayed itself from its humorous Colbert debut into one of the album’s best tracks. I also really enjoy the manic “Bull Black Nova” that I hope to someday hear alongside “Spiders” in concert as it shares some similar energy/elements. On first listen, I wasn’t too thrilled with “You Never Know,” but repeated spins and their recent appearance on Conan have turned the tides in it’s favor. As a whole, there’s very little to be disappointed with on this record. From start to finish, I find it to be a much more enjoyable listen than Sky Blue Sky.
Discuss: What do you think of Wilco (The Album)? What are your favorite and least favorite tracks? Where does this album fit in terms of the rest of the band’s catalog?
Buy: Wilco (The Album)
June 30th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I think the album is great. I can not say I have a favorite song, they all flow so well together. I will say that I am not happy that I pre-ordered the album from the band directly and did not get Dark Neon, but people who pre-ordered from iTunes they get the song for free. Not too happy with the boys on this!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:00 am
First of all, thanks for a greatly blog. On to the album: It could’ve gone all jammy (had “One Wing” been extended or had any of the songs allowed Nils to stretch out and the others to weave around him), it could’ve gone all poppy (if “Bull Black Nova” and “Deeper Down” weren’t around), or it could’ve rocked real hard (if they’d recorded a whole bunch of “Bull Blacks”). Instead it does all of the above. As usual, Wilco zigged instead of zagged and in the process smashed a lot of high expectations. Minds may not have been blown the way they were by other releases, but there is still a great deal of superbly crafted music to be enjoyed here. “Country Disappeared,” “Solitaire” and “Everlasting” are some serious message songs, and “Bull Black Nova” is a scathing portrait of American fringe today. (Aside from the car itself, I’d say Tweedy has climbed into the heads of most every front-page killer of the last two weeks.) “You and I” gives you just a moment to breathe, and then you realize that this is no ordinary love song with words like “I don’t wanna know everything about you/and you don’t need to know that much about me.” “One Wing” is all-around gorgeous. “Sonny Feeling” trips you up – just when you thought it was safe to sing along comes documentation of rape/assault (“It didn’t feel like the wrong time or place/Until they cut off her clothes”). I could go on, but the point is this: this a lot more here, underneath the snarky title and the chugging title track, than meets the eye. We’re being lulled by subtlety, peace among band members and extremely professional musicianship that’s seemlessly blended into thinking that this isn’t such a great album. This outfit is no longer rag-tag. And while I love Jay (R.I.P.) and the trilogy of albums he helped bring to life, we cannot trample on the current band for capturing and enhancing the Wilco songbook all in on sweet package. IMHO.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I guess for me Wilco simply put everything together this time around. I’m a Wilco apologist so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt, but I think the guys really gave us an album that’s so good it sneaks up on you. If I were watching a game right now, Wilco would be quietly putting together one hell of a game.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Thanks for providing an excellent blog!
Oh, Wilco. One Wing is exceptional. Other tracks seem like leftovers from other albums in some respect. Nils was very present on SBS. He just gets little hiccup leads on this album. Fortunately for us they’re great.
I’m not a very big fan of the drum tones either…
I don’t need this to seem like a put down though. I do like the album-Wilco is one of my favs and is a huge musical influence on me.In fact, I agree with most of Jon Ford’s review above. Except for “You and I” Mediocre tune.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I surprising agree with Pitchfork’s review: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13237-wilco-the-album/
I don’t love it, but seem to keep listening to it over and over.
June 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
David Fricke’s Rolling Stone Review (4 Stars)
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/28772335/review/28811787/wilco
June 30th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
There’s also a great audio interview with Jeff at Chicago Public Radio:
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=35173
June 30th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I think this is a surprisingly strong record and it cements Tweedy’s status as the best pop songwriter of this decade. At some point, Wilco’s gotta throw in a clunker, but I’m glad this one isn’t it.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Great Blog…thank you! Having listened to Jeff Tweedy’s music for 20 years now (holy crap!) I’m ok with the idea that at some point he’ll put out music that just doesn’t resonate with me, or an album that is just mediocre instead of stellar. At first listen, I thought this one might be it. With the exception of “One Wing” & “Bull Black Nova” (both incredible), I wasn’t immediately taken. Whatever. Fast Forward. A few more listens and a visit to the Greek Theater in Berkely to see them play have changed my mind. There’s a subtle grace and maturity to this one that really does sneak up on you. They’ve done it again, it’s a great album and I think they’re playing fantastic live. Last weekend’s show was the best I’ve seen from them since 2004.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am
I think there is something in this album for everyone. Nels fans will love Blue Black Nova. Each new Wilco album seems to become my favorite album and I don’t think the trend will stop with Wilco (the album). One Wing is an absolute masterpiece, You Never Know is really growing on me as well. I am amazed at how the band has grown as musicians. I can’t wait to hear the new songs live, hopefully they will play Chicago soon.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:50 pm
It’s taken a few listens for the full albums to set in fully, but I have to say I’m overall very impressed with it. “One Wing” was an instant favorite of mine, but after a few listens, I’m probably most drawn to “Country Disappeared” and “I’ll Fight.”
There seems to be a lot of disappointment floating around the blogs, but I think the best songs on this album will hold a place in their catalogue for a long time to come.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
I think the latest release from Wilco will be the defining album that finally puts them on the map and they will be a highly influential artist for the upcoming generation, you mark my words young people.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Pretty good, but I’m hoping they find something to really inspire them next time around. You can read my full review here:
http://sweetgeorgiabreezes.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/wilco-the-album/