Wilco, the Chicago-based alt. country standard bearer, has released a new album, self-titled after a fashion, that combines the best of it's musical formulas. Because of this, listeners get to enjoy the band's best album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
"Wilco (the song)" has relaxing yet meaty guitar strumming for it's main beat. Percussion thuds behind this, anchoring the song. Frontman Jeff Tweedy's lyrics continue to be interesting and unique. Though slightly tongue-in-cheek, it's an ode to the fans and what it's like to be in a band like Wilco.
"Deeper Down," a lower-key acoustic-based song with some repetitive strumming, exhibits some of the only "country" left in the band's alt. country sound. Steel guitar provides atmospheric texture to contrast with the organic acoustic strumming.
The somewhat-skeletal "One Wing," driven by intricate drumming from Glenn Kotche, hearkens back to the band's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot days. Tweedy's voice sounds much more earnest in front of the half-naked instrumentation. The reverb-heavy guitar playing brings to mind images of driving at night in the middle of nowhere.
"Bull Black Nova" is the first of a couple Beatles-esque songs. Upbeat guitar playing with natural-sounding distortion meets electric organ in what could be described as a slower "Hey Bulldog" in certain sections.
"You And I" is a duet with Canadian indie-folkster Feist. Unfortunately, the song doesn't really amount to much. The gentle acoustic instrumentation and soft vocals aren't very memorable.
"You Never Know" channels George Harrison perfectly. The lead guitar has that Ganges River Delta meets Mississippi River Delta slide technique that was Harrison's signature. The acoustic rhythm guitar and the tip-toeing piano complete this. The song feels more like a tribute than parody, which makes the similarities enjoyable.
"Solitaire" could be a continuation of "One Wing." They share the same sleepy, country-tinged philosophy. But in this song violin is featured and the rhythm mimics a horse on the trail that's in no hurry to get anywhere.
"I'll Fight" has a lot in common with early Elvis Costello. The only difference is it's largely acoustic arrangement. The rhythm is simple and geometric in the best way possible.
"Sonny Feeling" is about a bluesy as Wilco gets, thanks to prominent Delta slide licks. Tweedy's vocals, not generally thought of as such, are as gritty soul as he can make them and the upbeat rhythm suggests dancing. Still, it's safe to say Wilco probably won't make a full-on blues album.
Wilco (The Album) can be thought of musically as a combination of both the lower-key A Ghost Is Born and the upbeat Sky Blue Sky. This happy medium finds the band and the music more cohesive, confident and just plain fun to listen to without sacrificing the complexity of Tweedy's songwriting.
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