Album Review: Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
For the first time in their history, Wilco has sustained the same lineup for back-to-back albums. This creates camaraderie with one another the band has never been able to experience before, a connection that is on display for their audience at every one of their shows. You can hear it on re-worked versions of earlier songs on the live album Kicking Television, as well as the recently-released concert film, Ashes of American Flags. Everyone has something to do. They follow each other on the stage so well, pick up on cues that must be sent telepathically, and succeed in making these songs we’ve heard so many times before soar at their beckoned call.
So why don’t we hear any of this on Wilco (The Album)?
Now Wilco’s seventh studio album is far from a bad album. However, much like its predecessor, 2007’s Sky Blue Sky, it does not take advantage of its six-member lineup. We don’t expect to hear “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” on every track, we would just be content with a fuller sound. The band seems to be resting on their laurels when it comes to much of their new material, but what makes it all the more frustrating are the times where they show they are still able to push beyond the expected. So while Wilco is better than the valley that is Sky Blue Sky, it falls short of the peaks their earlier masterworks reached.
The album gets off to a good start, and keeps it going for nearly half the album. By now we’ve grown familiar with the kind-of-title track, “Wilco (the song)”. It was the only song that could lead off the album, and it’s nothing like epic-openers from the past (“Misunderstood”, “I am Trying to Break Your Heart”, “At Least That’s What You Said”). It’s a love letter to fans, pop-overload, and will have you grinning from ear-to-ear. This is not your older brother’s Jeff Tweedy, suffering through personal issues. This is a Tweedy who has beaten his demons, and can assure anyone down on their luck that no matter what, the Chicago-based band will always be there for you. Kotche’s upbeat drumbeats match wits with Cline’s echoing guitar in-between verse and chorus, so “Start up your stereo/Put on your headphones/Before you explode” because “Wilco will love you, baby.”
An interesting counterpart to such a hook-filled song is the second track, “Deeper Down”, which sports a rather schizophrenic sound, with its well-crafted, cut-and-paste transitioning. Amidst its Mark Mothersbaugh-inspired keyboards is a story of a knockout punch to a boxer, beginning with an “insult of a kiss” to the “comfort of a kiss.” It’s the production here that wins out in the end.
”One Wing” is a song that the band has been playing frequently since last year’s Lollapalooza. The lead guitar at the beginning sounds like Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac, taking us to a relationship that has run its course. It’s not an angry song, far from it. The singer admits some responsibility, confessing, “You were a blessing/And I was a curse/I did my best not to make things worse/For you.” He’s finally accepted that “One wing/Will never ever fly, dear/Neither yours nor mine, I fear/We can only wave goodbye.” The album version has dropped the extended jam at the end, opting instead for repeats of the chorus. While the jam session sounded great live, the harmonies work really well on record.
The fourth track, ”Bull Black Nova”, tells us what would happen if the murder fantasy of “Via Chicago” came to fruition. With its repeated playing of one note on the piano and John Stirratt’s thumping bass line, “Nova” plays cousin to “Spiders (Kidsmoke)”. The combination of such unrelenting music and storytelling is perfect, with Tweedy’s elevating paranoia over what he has done driving the listener to delirium. It’s the “Tell-Tale Heart” of the Wilco catalogue (“It’s coming down/Coming off the shoulders/What have they found?/I wonder if they know?”), and arguably the best song on the album. When played live, wonder if this will segue way into “Spiders” or vice versa?
How do you follow-up a song about the mind of a killer? A love duet, of course! “You and I”, featuring Feist, is Wilco at its Summerteeth-best. Some may find it syrupy and many eyes will roll at the lyrics, but others will hear some sincerity of someone who has been married or in a relationship for a long time. “You and I/We might be strangers/However close we get sometimes/It’s like we’ve never met”, but this couple tells each other, “I think we can take it/All the good with the bad/Make something that no one else has/But you and I.” It’s a comedown song from its predecessor, and makes no apologies for being a pretty pop song.
So far, so good, right? Well, the music of George Harrison can be heard in “You Never Know” (“I don’t care anymore” substituting for the hallelujahs of “My Sweet Lord”), a song that was played at Neil Finn’s 7 Worlds Collide concerts back in January. Unfortunately, like much of the second half of the album, it’s passable at best. Couple this with “My Country Disappeared”, featuring Tweedy and Co. attempting their best impersonation of The Band, and the listener is left wanting to put on “I Shall Be Released” instead.
We are granted a brief reprieve from disappointment with the Tupelo-esque acoustics of “Solitaire”, featuring double-tracked vocals reminding us of the late Elliott Smith. It’s about a man recalling his ignorant youth, and lamenting his lonely present. Tweedy is on top form here, with this chilling couplet as a primary example: “The universe with hands unseen/I was cold as gasoline.”
The rest of the album is filler, with only scattered moments here and there worth remembering. Sky Blue Sky’s terrible closer, “On and On and On” (“On/And on/And on/We’ll stay together yeah”), gets an unintentional re-do here as “I’ll Fight” (“I’ll go/I’ll go/I’ll go/I’ll go for you I’ll fight…”). “Sonny Feeling” tries to give the second half of the album a “Shot in the Arm”, but comes up sounding like Mark Vieha’s “Way to Go” from Teen Wolf (Styles!). The final song contains various lines beginning with “Ever-“, and is appropriately titled, “Everlasting”. The horns that kick in during the second half are welcomed here, as are the flickering notes on guitar that close the album out.
There is much to love, but almost as much to care less about on Wilco (The Album). It’s no doubt a recommended listen, but before long, you’ll be skipping tracks left and right. Be content for now with a still-great live band, who still have a lot left to offer. We just haven’t heard this lineup’s full potential.
One doesn’t know where they go after this, or whether there will be another lineup shuffle, but just remember that whether or not you like this album, Wilco will love you…
…Baby.
Rating: 
Check Out:
Wilco (The Album) full album stream
I do love Wilco. I don’t love Wilco (The Album).
Phew! Tough to be Wilco. You make some good music, tour, try to grow and construct a work you can be proud of and your dedicated fan base spends much of its time biting at your heels. Wilco may love us, but I’m so sure the reverse is true.
Well, a good amount of time has passed since reviewing the album. After several more listens over these past many weeks, I still feel it’s twice as good as SBS, but not half has good as their first five albums. I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments, but I think breaking down CHAMP’s comments sum up my feeling towards the album and the band itself:
“Wilco, is awesome, bottom line.” AGREE
“This album is really great…” DISAGREE
“…yah it’s a little safe and somewhat different from what wilco usually is.” AGREE
“But man give them some credit, this album is good.” DISAGREE
“I saw them in Las Vegas about 3 1/2 weeks ago. They played fucking really well, and nels ripped.” BELIEVE
“Oh and I think we can all agree that each one of us has their own favorite album.” AGREE
“but again bottom line Wilco fucking rocks” AGREE!!!!!
Wilco, is awesome, bottom line. This album is really great, yah it’s a little safe and somewhat different from what wilco usually is. But man give them some credit, this album is good. I saw them in Las Vegas about 3 1/2 weeks ago. They played fucking really well, and nels ripped. Oh and I think we can all agree that each one of us has their own favorite album. but again bottom line Wilco fucking rocks
I’ve never seen camaraderie on-stage like I did during the Being There shows back in the 90s - when Wilco was an actual band and not just a revolving cast of characters of Starbucks-friendly faces. They would all get drunk on stage (especially Bennett) and the whole club would start to resemble a basement keg-party more than a rock show. Tweedy needs to hang it up, but the public won’t let him as they’ve now discovered his talent - many years after he’s run out of steam. I gave up on the band after Foxtrot, which was barely listen-able anyway. Stick with A.M., Being There and Summer Teeth. Also check out Tweedy’s Golden Smog output, which featured more of his midwest twang than his Chicago-hipster Brian Wilson wanna-be sound. As for the Woody Guthrie tributes, check them out once and then put them away.
Most of Wilco’s albums have taken me some time to get into. I thought YHF was rather sterile at first, as I also felt about Being There. In each case, I had been spoiled by hearing some live versions first. I suspect that will be the case with this disc, as I already greatly prefer “One Wing” live.
As a side note, I think “Sky Blue Sky” is excellent - some of Tweedy’s best singing for sure, and loaded with remarkable instrumental moments.
I dont care what anyone says, this album is delicious…very addictive. The album contains aspects from SBS, AGIB and Yankee and blends them all together. Even though I like SBS, this album is overall better. Wilco is the most down to earth band I listen to and give me the biggest grin while listening. I applaud this album, it made my summer.
I have not heard this album yet,(I found this site looking up reviews of said album)but I wish people would stop verbally abusing Sky Blue Sky! SBS was the best wilco album of all time! So much energy! So much passion! Such great songwriting! So much Nels Cline!
FYI, “dimissing” should be “dismissing.” I cannot figure out how to edit the post.
I am not entirely sure the reviewer listened to the same albums I have been listening to. I am glad he caught the “I’ll Fight”/”On and On” relationship, but I doubt it is unintentional - and if it is it would be helpful if the reviewer mentioned what led him to believe it was unintentional. Also, dimissing SBS completely and calling “On and On” a “terrible closer” will immediately divide listeners. I think it is a perfect way to close SBS, and while SBS is not strong throughout, there are so many brilliant moments to it that one shouldn’t simply throw it away. As for the new record, I recommend listening to it with headphones. Each instrument shines in its own way, Nels fits in the band better than ever, and Tweedy’s voice is as communicative and complex as ever. The lyrics have gotten simple in places, but every time a cliche (i.e. traditional element) arises, they have a way of twisting it. Sure, it’s not the Bennett era, and it’s not “A Ghost is Born,” but the band has continued to grow, and this record is much better than I expected it to be.
I’ve listened twice and could not disagree more with the reviewer. The album has many great moments that include the back end.
Additionally, while Sky Blue Sky surely is not Summerteeth ( I believe their best work), it is a beautiful album with emotion from song to song.
I will agree, however, that both of the last two albums have moments where the rhythmn sections, especially Kotche’s drumming, is more subdued than I might expect.And that’s too bad, because he has superior skills.
The question is…Where is Nels??? it’s like he got left out of the sessions all together…where is the amazing guitar work that made ‘Impossible Germany’ soar? Where is the energy he puts into the live sessions and even on the recent tour DVD…I want my WILCO back….if you find them let me know..
Measuring Wilco against Wilco just isn’t fair. Really, it’s about whether an album has good songs, and this one does. In the end there is plenty here to add to the pantheon. Do they measure up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Hardly. But What does?
Justin,
I believe that you misquoted what is probably one of the best lines on the whole record. In Bull Back Nova, the words are, “It’s coming down/they’re coming up the shoulders” (police). It’s a wonderfully communicated image of impending doom in just 8 words.
it does what Wilco do best, which is real… it makes me smile (a lot), so that’s good enough for me
Micheal said:
“It’s a disservice to undervalue both Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album) because they aren’t what you wanted to hear. Music isn’t always about indulgent experimentalism and complexity. It’s not always about brains, but heart as well and both albums have the latter in spades.”
Perfectly said. Sky Blue Sky has some of the best songwriting I’ve heard.
Am I the only one who likes “You Never Know”? Also, I wrote a review of the album (sort of) on my site.
Disagree that the last half is weaker, found Everlasting Everything to be well above filler status. But I do agree with the rest of the review though. Particularly your thoughts on You and I. I hated its sickly syrup sweetness at first, but its the one I keep humming.
We must of heard something completely different. I thought the second half was way stronger than the first and I think “you’ll never know” is one of the stronger tracks on the album. At first I agree I was skeptical and there were many songs I did not like. But after multiple listens all the way through this is indeed another solid, intelligent and well put together album. I would give it some time. Oh and I dont know what Don is talking about Tweedy is one of the better lyricist in music today.
I’m blaming the mighty president for sucking the life out of all the good rock n roll bands. You can’t produce great misery on a record if you’re too busy kissing Obama’s posterior.
Stop campaining & start creating music, Tweedy.
Now, I’ve got the entire tweedy/wilco catalogue memorized, seen them live 6 or 7 times and generally have been a huge, huge fan for a long time. I’ve listened to this wilco the album a dozen times already: it’s not good.
Tweedy’s never really been a consistently great lyricist, but the lyrics/ideas on this album often complete cliches (I’ll fight/I’ll die, solitaire, sunny feelings, one wing/can’t fly, I don’t caaare anymore). I generally don’t care too much about lyrics, but they can be so bad that it detracts from the music, and the do here.
Likewise, the melodies aren’t there; most of the songs seem just kind of thrown together. There’s hardly any of the tasty rock-out sessions (a la impossible germany/at least that’s what you said) hardly any nels cline, hardly any interesting riffs or musicianship at all. Even the best couple songs would be throwaways on almost any other wilco album.
Most of all, this is just a sterile, boring album - I’d expect more from a B-sides/rarities collection. Even AM blows it out of the water. I can at least look forward to them making the songs here worthwhile live - they could play nursery rhymes live and I’d be enthralled. All in all, very disappointed.
The Album is fantastic. Period. Like one of you guys write in a comment, music is about feelings - and the second time I heard these songs I simply cried of joy. Beautiful!!!
O and btw i saw them in Athens Ga 4/20/09 best show ive ever been to ur right they are very good together as a band live not just their sound and musicianship but their kind of subtle/downplayed demeanor that turns into just strait rockin out
Hey I am being dead serious. I knew that I would sound sarcastic, but there is no way of expressing emotions on a comment. But seriously man, i love the review. I honestly do. If I wanted to tell you that I didnt like it, I really would have just said it. That really was sincere.
To Will:
Either that was a sincere compliment or sarcasm that surpasses even myself.
Still looking forward to hearing some of these songs live.
I’m wishy-washy on this album so far…maybe it will grow on me. I think “Bull Black Nova” will be a MONSTER live song, and I really like “Deeper Down” and “One Wing” as well, but most of the rest is too much like Summerteeth. “I’ll Fight” is ridiculously similar to “On and On and On” to the point that it has got to be intentional or something is wrong.
No masterpiece here, but I think it could age like wine.
(FYI: Sky Blue Sky is a gorgeous album and A Ghost is Born is the real magnum opus)
Very thoughtful and knowledgeable review. The irony behind the album title is that a lot of the tracks could have been released on a Tweedy solo album.
Wow! Thank you for this review. It is as close to exactly right as possible. I knew i would agree to it as soon as you said SBS was a disappointment because it really was. OMG, if i hear one more person say how good it was im gonna go crazy! It was nothing compared to the rest of Wilco. Thank you for finally putting some since out there. Send me all of your reviews so i can get some GOOD reviews for a change. Thanks again!
Michael, I love all Wilco records (even A.M.) prior to Sky Blue Sky. I wanted to like this, and didn’t necessarily dislike it, but I just wasn’t feeling it.
Sky Blue Sky was, is and will always be a masterpiece. With this album, it seems like you really missed the mark as well. What a shame that your criticism of both isn’t objective. It’s a disservice to undervalue both Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album) because they aren’t what you wanted to hear. Music isn’t always about indulgent experimentalism and complexity. It’s not always about brains, but heart as well and both albums have the latter in spades.
I’m on par with everything you said, and it surprises me, because I had given this album an 8 out of 10, compared to your 3/5 rating. I like Wilco (The Song), Bull Black Nova, and One Wing a lot. Same with Solitaire. Deeper Down could be better, especially since it borrows one of the more annoying chords from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra set. You and I is good enough for me - it serves as a good change of pace.
I didn’t like Country Disappeared. I hated I’ll Fight. I hoped that Sunny Feeling would remind me of “Kamera”, but it wasn’t anywhere close.
That said, the biggest failure of this album is “You Never Know.” This could have been a FANTASTIC song. But the repetitive lyrics, the lack of any climax whatsoever, and the feeling that the song could have been so much…deeper - it’s annoying to me that it was included on this album. Ugh.
After some more thought, I’m downgrading to a 7/10. I still maintain that “A Ghost is Born” is their best, and that “YHF” is slightly behind, and that “SBS” is horrible except for Impossible Germany, but I will downgrade upon more thought.
Still, it’s a great album. But it could have been better, especially for the statement made by the album’s title.
Huh. I find Bull Black Nova the only song I really don’t like on the album. But maybe it’ll grow on me. Feels like Tweedy is “acting” his raw emotions in it rather than actually feeling them like he normally seems to on record.
And I love “You Never Know” and think its the Summerteethiest song on the album (a good thing.) Also really like “One Wing” (great lyrics), “I’ll Fight”, and the song with Feist (can’t call it a duet as she’s more of a backup singer throughout most of it. I thought they’d trade off singing lead, but only do at the end.) “Solitaire” sounds like “Good Vibrations” to me in the beginning, but with much darker lyrics of course (it’s Tweedy.)
Overall, I think its their best since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I still miss Jay Bennett for sure (as I find Nels a talented but much more sleep-inducing guitarist) but do think it holds together as an album better than the last two. And it will sound wonderful live.
While I think the album is better than you do, I made some similar comparisons (the Spiders(Kidsmoke) bit in particular) when listening to it. I feel like this album is a little bit of everything Wilco has done, which in a way makes it a tough listen, but I still didn’t have to sit with this as long as I did with Sky Blue Sky.
i’d give it a 8/10
It’s nice to hear some imagination return to their music. I had to skip Sky Blue Sky. I found “Deeper Down” to be very captivating. I don’t think Wilco had been captivating since “A Ghost Is Born”….
“One Wing” and “Solitaire” are the key tracks for me. “Bull Black Nova” is good, in that Spoon kind of way.
agree to disagree….. this takes off right where they left off with the last album and throws a bit more mixing in
it’s not amazing, but it is damn good wilco…
Oct 20th, 2009 at 3:15 am
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Jul 31st, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] the mid-western and southern portions of the United States in support of the recently released Wilco (The Album). Included will be an appearance at this year’s Farm Aid, set for October 4th in St. Louis, [...]
Jul 15th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
[...] First, Fourth of July prompted Wilco to invite Okkervil River on the stage. Then, a trip to Brooklyn resulted in Yo La Tengo. And now, an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman has led to a duet with Feist. Albeit not the first time the Canadian singer/songwriter has collaborated with the Chicago rockers — she does perform the same song on Dave as she did on Wilco (The Album). [...]