My Wilco (The Album) review: Track by Track
May 20th 2009 00:49
Since the record recently leaked, Wilco has been streaming their latest record (due out late June). As an avid Wilco fan, I thought I’d share my thoughts.
Wilco (The Song). This is an enjoyable little up-beat rocker song done in the best tongue-in-cheek style that Tweedy has a fondness for (like Kicking Television, The Late Greats or I’m a Wheel). Great heavy Drop-D descending chord progression adds the beef behind the humor. Great way to kickoff the record.
Deeper Down. I like this song. It has an interesting arrangement with an unidentifiable percussion instrument given it a mysterious feel from the get-go. Add layered guitars, Theremin (?) and Hammond B-3 and you have the YHF “studio –as-instrument” sound that we have all come to love from Wilco. There is just enough melody from the vocal line keeps it from derailing into chaos.
One Wing. Great guitar and drum work on this song. Slowly builds into a quite a rocker, but seems to end right when it gets interesting. You can imagine this one taking off live. One of the few songs on the record where Nels’ influence is on full display.
Bull Black Nova. This is definitely the most musically ambitious song on the record. An instant Wilco classic and difficult to ignore. Staccato guitar lines hover over an aggressive bass line. As a lyricist, if you are ever in need of ideas look no further than automobiles. Providing inspiration since Chuck Berry. But this song is a showcase of the music (and band, really) more so than lyrics. The last ¼ of the song is stunning. Best song on record? Maybe.
You and I. I am not sure this song needed the female voice. It is classic unplugged Tweedy. Heartfelt, personal lyrics over interesting, sweet-sounding chords with lots of open strings (02400?). Only drawback is that it sounds like a 1970s male/female duet song (Captain / Tenele or Elton / Kiki). Maybe a little light in the loafers. Nice Beatles-esq backwards guitar in the coda.
You Never Know. Speaking of the Beatles, this song sounds like it should be on All Things Must Pass. There are worse people to emulate. George had a particular gift and nothing wrong with acknowledging influence. Good song, but the lyrics are a bit … off? Not sure what it is, but they don’t ring true; seem forced. The “I don’t care anymore” refrain feels like it is repeated too much. Oh, well. Still, this song has merits inasmuch as it seems radio friendly (not usually a Wilco strong suit). Great harmonies not heard since Summerteeth.
Country Disappeared. This one seems like a Sky Blue Sky outtake. Not a big fan. Nothing seems to grab me (melody, lyrics, arrangement, et. Al.). Maybe I need to give more spins. Sometimes Wilco songs are like this. Time will tell.
Solitaire. This sweet (but haunting) acoustic number might be my favorite on the record. Classic acoustic Tweedy riffs combined with a Brian Wilson-type melody. Really cool. Sparse arrangement (only hints of organ and Nels’ slide to give color). Melancholy lyrics complete the picture. I predict this one will hold up over time more so than all others on the record. This might be the best song on the record.
I’ll Fight. The intro is a musical highlight of the record. Classic Tweedy utilizing chord shapes with hammers to create a solo (of sorts). Brilliant. Lyrically, this continues the Tweedy tradition of Love/Violence songs like Via Chicago and She’s A Jar. But the repetitiveness kinda loses me a little. I’m 50-50 on this song. I predict it is the one that might get skipped on the playlist more often than not.
Sunny Feeling. This one has a Summerteeth vibe. The pop-meets-dark lyrics combined with the Open D tuning with the up-then-down guitar riffs add to this effect. Not a bad song; in fact, it is growing on me with each listen. Hard to resist the chorus and break. Good song. Love the vinyl crackle at the end.
Everlasting. More Tweedy patented dark lyrics over soft music: “Everlasting love is a lie”. This is what we love about Wilco, isn’t it? The way the piano drives the song gives it a Ghost is Born feel. Not a big fan of some of the strings thrown in towards the middle. Like previous record closers, this one is a bit sad and melancholy (Reservations, On and On and On). The outro is really cool, though.
Overall, I really like the record. I know it is getting some negative reviews (and with respect to some of the previous records, I can see that), but I still think it is better than a lot of stuff being put out today. Each listen, it grows on me.
Wilco (The Song). This is an enjoyable little up-beat rocker song done in the best tongue-in-cheek style that Tweedy has a fondness for (like Kicking Television, The Late Greats or I’m a Wheel). Great heavy Drop-D descending chord progression adds the beef behind the humor. Great way to kickoff the record.
Deeper Down. I like this song. It has an interesting arrangement with an unidentifiable percussion instrument given it a mysterious feel from the get-go. Add layered guitars, Theremin (?) and Hammond B-3 and you have the YHF “studio –as-instrument” sound that we have all come to love from Wilco. There is just enough melody from the vocal line keeps it from derailing into chaos.
One Wing. Great guitar and drum work on this song. Slowly builds into a quite a rocker, but seems to end right when it gets interesting. You can imagine this one taking off live. One of the few songs on the record where Nels’ influence is on full display.
Bull Black Nova. This is definitely the most musically ambitious song on the record. An instant Wilco classic and difficult to ignore. Staccato guitar lines hover over an aggressive bass line. As a lyricist, if you are ever in need of ideas look no further than automobiles. Providing inspiration since Chuck Berry. But this song is a showcase of the music (and band, really) more so than lyrics. The last ¼ of the song is stunning. Best song on record? Maybe.
You and I. I am not sure this song needed the female voice. It is classic unplugged Tweedy. Heartfelt, personal lyrics over interesting, sweet-sounding chords with lots of open strings (02400?). Only drawback is that it sounds like a 1970s male/female duet song (Captain / Tenele or Elton / Kiki). Maybe a little light in the loafers. Nice Beatles-esq backwards guitar in the coda.
You Never Know. Speaking of the Beatles, this song sounds like it should be on All Things Must Pass. There are worse people to emulate. George had a particular gift and nothing wrong with acknowledging influence. Good song, but the lyrics are a bit … off? Not sure what it is, but they don’t ring true; seem forced. The “I don’t care anymore” refrain feels like it is repeated too much. Oh, well. Still, this song has merits inasmuch as it seems radio friendly (not usually a Wilco strong suit). Great harmonies not heard since Summerteeth.
Country Disappeared. This one seems like a Sky Blue Sky outtake. Not a big fan. Nothing seems to grab me (melody, lyrics, arrangement, et. Al.). Maybe I need to give more spins. Sometimes Wilco songs are like this. Time will tell.
Solitaire. This sweet (but haunting) acoustic number might be my favorite on the record. Classic acoustic Tweedy riffs combined with a Brian Wilson-type melody. Really cool. Sparse arrangement (only hints of organ and Nels’ slide to give color). Melancholy lyrics complete the picture. I predict this one will hold up over time more so than all others on the record. This might be the best song on the record.
I’ll Fight. The intro is a musical highlight of the record. Classic Tweedy utilizing chord shapes with hammers to create a solo (of sorts). Brilliant. Lyrically, this continues the Tweedy tradition of Love/Violence songs like Via Chicago and She’s A Jar. But the repetitiveness kinda loses me a little. I’m 50-50 on this song. I predict it is the one that might get skipped on the playlist more often than not.
Sunny Feeling. This one has a Summerteeth vibe. The pop-meets-dark lyrics combined with the Open D tuning with the up-then-down guitar riffs add to this effect. Not a bad song; in fact, it is growing on me with each listen. Hard to resist the chorus and break. Good song. Love the vinyl crackle at the end.
Everlasting. More Tweedy patented dark lyrics over soft music: “Everlasting love is a lie”. This is what we love about Wilco, isn’t it? The way the piano drives the song gives it a Ghost is Born feel. Not a big fan of some of the strings thrown in towards the middle. Like previous record closers, this one is a bit sad and melancholy (Reservations, On and On and On). The outro is really cool, though.
Overall, I really like the record. I know it is getting some negative reviews (and with respect to some of the previous records, I can see that), but I still think it is better than a lot of stuff being put out today. Each listen, it grows on me.
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