Wilco (The Album)

Comment: Falling somewhere between the airy and relaxed SKY BLUE SKY, and the experimental cacophony named A GHOST IS BORN, is WILCO (THE ALBUM). This album features some of Wilco's very best songs, including "Wilco (The Song)", "Bull Black Nova", and "You Never Know", with the last song feeling like it could make Christine McVie jealous for having not written it.

The other eight songs are absolute filler. If they're not generic anthems of love ("You And I", "I'll Fight") or quirky to the point of killing the song ("Deeper Down", "One Wing"), then they're retreads of earlier songs ("Sonny Feeling") or are so aimless that they float away ("Country Disappeared", "Solataire", "Everlasting Everything"). Had the bad taken another three years to produce this album, it might have been a little more focused. Unfortunately, it seems like Tweedy's new-found confidence has churned out a half-assed product this time around.

Comment: This used to be a good band. They've progressively gotten lamer and lamer. This is elevator muzak for the 21st century. Please, somebody, take the quaaludes away from these guys!

Comment: Without a doubt the most unlistenable Wilco album ever. Eminently forgettable tunes flow like water down a river of insomnia. If this is Americana maturing, I'll pass. Wilco the album, is Wilco the flop.

Comment: 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.

Comment: Wilco being Wilco's 2009 release and 7th studio album is an alternative rock release and sounds like REM. The album was a hit in Sweden and Finland. It also did well among the critics. Allmusic, Rolling Stone and Robert Christgau all gave the album good grades in their reviews. All the lyrics are included in the booklet along with photographs of the band. 4/5.