Wilco (The Album)
Studio album by
Wilco
ReleasedJune 30, 2009
RecordedJanuary 2009
StudioRoundhead studios in Auckland, New Zealand and The Wilco Loft, Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois
GenreAlternative rock
Length42:52
LabelNonesuch
ProducerWilco, Jim Scott
Wilco chronology
Sky Blue Sky
(2007)		 Wilco (The Album)
(2009)		 The Whole Love
(2011)

Wilco (The Album) is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock group Wilco which was released June 30, 2009. Prior to release, Wilco streamed the album on their website. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album.

Production

After Wilco released their sixth studio album, Sky Blue Sky, in 2007, they spent the following two years touring to promote the album. In August 2008, Billboard reported that Wilco had been playing two new songs, "One Wing" and "Sonny Feeling", at recent shows in anticipation of a new studio album.[1] Rolling Stone revealed the title of the album on April 28, 2009.[2]

The album was recorded in Neil Finn's recording studio Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand. Members of Wilco were present to record material for a 7 Worlds Collide compilation album to benefit Oxfam. Guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Mikael Jorgensen provided overdubs once the band returned to Chicago. The album was produced by the band and Jim Scott, who worked as an engineer on Being There, Summerteeth, and Sky Blue Sky.[3] The band joined Scott in Valencia, California to mix the album.[4] According to lead singer Jeff Tweedy, the band "allow[ed] [themselves] a little bit more leeway in terms of sculpting the sound in the studio and doing overdubs and using the studio as another instrument".[1]

Wilco (The Album) included the first duet to be featured on a Wilco album, "You and I", which was recorded with Canadian indie folk singer Feist.[5] The band met Feist at the 50th Grammy Awards and found they had a mutual appreciation for each other's music.[6]

On May 13, 2009, the album leaked on the internet, and Wilco promptly responded by streaming the album for free on their website. The stream resulted in over 100,000 visits to Wilco's website on the 13th.[7] The band also suggested that those who downloaded the leaked copy make a charitable donation to Inspiration Corporation, an organization that assists low-income families in Chicago.[8] Blogger Mike Masnick praised Wilco for their response to the leak, contrasting it to the reactionary response from 20th Century Fox following the leak of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.[9]

Sound

The album has been invariably described as the band's most accessible and upbeat since their early albums, with The Independent stating that it "recall[s] the simplicity of the band's early LPs A.M. and Being There."[10] Matthew Perpetua of Pitchfork concurs, arguing that on the album "the disparate strains within the group's catalog have somehow flowed together into a unifying aesthetic", with the album touching on all of Wilco's various styles and guises in the past, which Perpetua identifies as "alt-country, Americana, neo-folk, quasi-experimental, and, if you insist, "dad rock.""[11] Critic Jonathan Cohen also noted "Deeper Down" for its "wealth of sonic details".[12]

Themes

Tweedy summarized the main theme of the album as the acceptance of life's uncertainties, stating

I think there's a liberating nature to that concept [...] It allows for a playfulness and an engagement in life that is more enjoyable than the alternative. I've aspired to convey some of those things for a long time now, maybe not so clearly before because it hasn't been so clear to me. But I do believe that the greater ability you have to tolerate ambiguity, the more successfully you can steer your life. The alternative point of view—the complete dismissal of ambiguity, trying to rationalise irrationality—can be very destructive.[10]

This theme is manifested, for example, in the line from "Deeper Down" which goes "I adore the meaninglessness of the 'this' we can't express."

The album's lyrics portray both dark and light subject matter, from "Bull Black Nova", which is written from the point of view of a man who just killed his girlfriend,[13] to the Feist duet "You and I", which treats two lovers trying to keep a relationship together.[13]

Title

The album was named after the band because it "[felt] like what the band was meant to be".[14] According to Tweedy the band "struggled with a lot of other titles that felt more exemplary of what the music was. But nothing else felt quite so succinct."[10]

Promotion

Wilco appeared on The Colbert Report to play "Wilco (the song)" and promote 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama.[15] Wilco embarked on a 21-show tour to promote the album starting on June 12, 2009. The tour concluded with a performance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.[13]

The song "You Never Know" was released as the first single. They performed the song on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on June 24, 2009. The song reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Triple A Chart[16]

The song "You and I" was performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on July 14, 2009.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.7/10[17]
Metacritic76/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[19]
The A.V. ClubB[20]
The Daily Telegraph[21]
Entertainment WeeklyB[22]
The Guardian[23]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A−[24]
NME8/10[25]
Pitchfork7.3/10[26]
Rolling Stone[27]
Spin8/10[28]

Wilco (The Album) received generally favorable reviews, garnering a 76/100 critic score on Metacritic from 34 critics.[29] NME gave the album a score of eight out of ten and noted that Wilco "covered all bases this time; pushing themselves to experiment while still celebrating what makes their music so catchy and compelling,"[30] while Paste gave the album a score of 7.4 out of ten and described it as "full of thoughtful, artfully crafted lyrics wrapped in memorable hooks that should stand the test of time."[31] Other reviewers made note of the creative longevity of the band, with Pitchfork citing it as the "work of veterans unafraid to express mature emotions with an appropriate level of musical depth and nuance"[26] and The Record Review remarking that "in their fifteenth year, Wilco is still crafting albums that are both melodic and relevant."[32]

Filter gave the album a score of 87% and said it "adds yet another chapter to the story, and if this band's relevance is to continue going forward, then let the resilent closer 'Everlasting Everything' score our impending sunrise."[33] Uncut gave the album four stars out of five and labeled it as the "Album of the Month" while stating that it "picks up more or less where 2007’s mellow and soulful 'Sky Blue Sky' left off, but subtly expands that record’s parameters."[34] Q also gave the album four stars out of five and said that everything in the album "delivers the predominant warmth 'Sky Blue Sky' lacked and betrays a sharp ear for melody that has often been obscured by sonic theatrics."[18] Alternative Press likewise gave the album four stars out of five and said, "Wilco continues to reign in their experiemntal fuzz, focusing more on pretty melodies, upbeat toe-tappers and sweet acoustic numbers for their seventh full-length."[35] Now likewise gave the album four stars and called the album "middle-of-the-road, but only by Wilco standards. A worthwhile listen."[36] Hot Press gave the album a favorable review and said the album has "Surprisingly laidback new dispatch from uptight country rockers."[37] The Boston Globe also gave the album a favorable review and stated: "Like with many good rock records, bits of whimsy, melancholy, confusion, and joy swirl around the songs of Wilco (the album). So while it may not feel as groundbreaking as previous releases, it’s just as human."[38]

The Phoenix gave the album three stars out of four and said it "finds the band looser and more assertive than they were on their two previous efforts."[39] Billboard gave the album a rating of 72 out of 100 and stated: "The band's current six-member lineup, together five years and responsible for 2007's stunning "Sky Blue Sky," is its strongest to date—and Wilco (The Album) is as well-rounded an effort as the group has released."[40] The Austin Chronicle gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of five and stated: "What it lacks in identity, perhaps a statement of purpose locked down by a title, the tightly produced, musically pointed Wilco compensates for in near-total coalescence. Its hope, vulnerability, and fears converse as one Tweedy."[41] Under the Radar gave the album seven stars out of ten and said it "rumbles out of the gate with a scruffy exuberance reminiscent of the early tracks of 'Summerteeth,' before finding its way back to the high-end country art rock the band has specialized in since we first found out Tweedy gets bad headaches."[18]

Other reviews are average or mixed: Yahoo! Music UK gave the album a score of six stars out of ten and said of Wilco: "Like a slightly under-serving best of, though, we get glimpses of what they've done before, but nothing substantial enough to set a new high-water mark."[42] No Ripcord also gave the album a score of six stars out of ten and said that it "doesn’t sound like a band that’s pushing itself any more, or at least not making the same sort of pushes that lead to the brilliant sucker-punch of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the vastly underrated A Ghost Is Born."[43] The Guardian gave the album three stars out of five and said the album was "well written, nicely produced and tastefully retro, with a few vaguely experimental bits."[44] Slant Magazine also awarded the album three stars out of five and said, "It doesn't help that Wilco is such a complacent album, so easily redolent of sounds and textures the band has called up in the past."[45] Tiny Mix Tapes gave the album two-and-a-half stars out of five and said it "isn’t a failure--not by any means--but when a band has become so attached to the notion of change and then stagnates, it casts a heavy shadow that’s hard to escape."[46] Dusted Magazine gave the album a negative review and said, "Wilco is a Great Band, if you like stuff that’s boring. And a lot of people seemingly do."[47]

Track listing

All songs written by Jeff Tweedy, except for "Deeper Down" co-written by Tweedy and Pat Sansone.

  1. "Wilco (The Song)" – 2:59
  2. "Deeper Down"  – 2:59
  3. "One Wing" – 3:42
  4. "Bull Black Nova" – 5:40
  5. "You and I" – 3:26
  6. "You Never Know" – 4:21
  7. "Country Disappeared" – 4:02
  8. "Solitaire" – 3:04
  9. "I'll Fight" – 4:23
  10. "Sonny Feeling" – 4:13
  11. "Everlasting Everything" – 3:58

iTunes bonus track

  1. "Dark Neon" – 4:24

Cover versions

American alternative rock band Jimmy Eat World covered "You and I" for the deluxe version of its 2010 album Invented.

Personnel

Wilco
Additional musicians
  • Dave Max Crawford – trumpet on "Everlasting Everything"
  • Leslie Feist – vocals on "You and I"
  • Neil Finn – background vocals on "Wilco (The Song)", "One Wing", "You Never Know", "Sonny Feeling", "Everlasting Everything"
  • Jason Tobias – slide cimbalom on "Deeper Down"

Charts

References

  1. 1 2 Cohen, Jonathan (August 18, 2008). "Wilco Eyeing Spring '09 For New Album". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  2. ↑ O'Donnell, Kevin (April 28, 2009). "Wilco Keep It Simple, Name New LP "Wilco (the album)"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Wilco Gets Experimental on New Album". Rolling Stone. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  4. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (March 27, 2009). "More New Wilco Album Details Trickle Out". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  5. ↑ Price, David J. (March 27, 2009). "Wilco Reveals Feist Collaboration, New Album Details". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Exclusive: Wilco And Feist Team Up For "You and I"!!!!". Rollingstone.com. March 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  7. ↑ Ayers, Michael D. (May 14, 2009). "Wilco Album Leak Generates 'Net Buzz". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Wilco preview new album online due to internet leak". NME. April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  9. ↑ Masnick, Mike (May 14, 2009). "Wilco Shows The Entertainment Industry How To Respond To A Leak". techdirt. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 "Wilco – Saddled up for the long haul". The Independent. London. December 11, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Pitchfork Media Reviews Wilco (The Album)". Pitchfork. June 29, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2009.
  12. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (May 5, 2009). "Wilco Returns With Eclectic New Album". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  13. 1 2 3 Goodman, William (April 17, 2009). "Jeff Tweedy on Wilco's New Album, Tour". Spin. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Jeff Tweedy (the interview)". Metromix. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Colbert Report world premiere video". colbertnation.com. Last accessed November 22, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Billboard.com". Billboard.com. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  17. ↑ "Wilco (The Album) by Wilco reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  18. 1 2 3 "Reviews for Wilco (The Album) by Wilco". Metacritic. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  19. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Wilco (The Album) – Wilco". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  20. ↑ Murray, Noel (June 30, 2009). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  21. ↑ Perry, Andrew (July 8, 2009). "Wilco: Wilco, CD review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  22. ↑ Collis, Clark (June 26, 2009). "Wilco (The Album)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  23. ↑ Hughes, Tom (June 26, 2009). "Wilco: Wilco (the Album)". The Guardian. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  24. ↑ Christgau, Robert (September 2009). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  25. ↑ Pia, Camilla (June 24, 2009). "Album review: Wilco – 'Wilco (The Album)'". NME. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  26. 1 2 Perpetua, Matthew (June 29, 2009). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album)". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  27. ↑ Fricke, David (June 29, 2009). "Wilco". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  28. ↑ Marchese, David (July 2009). "Your Sonic Sponsor". Spin. 25 (7): 79–80. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Wilco (The Album)". Metacritic. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  30. ↑ Pia, Camilla (2009-06-24). "Album review: Wilco - 'Wilco (The Album)'". NME. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  31. ↑ Porter, Tim (2009-06-30). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album)/Son Volt: American Central Dust :: Music :: Reviews". Paste. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  32. ↑ Ian Rice (2009-06-30). "Wilco Will Love Ya". The Record Review. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  33. ↑ MacKinnel, Kyle (2009-11-19). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album) - Nonesuch". Filter. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  34. ↑ Mulvey, John (2009). "Album Of The Month: Wilco - Wilco (The Album)". Uncut. Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  35. ↑ Lux, Rachel (August 2009). "Wilco - Wilco (The Album)". Alternative Press: 115. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  36. ↑ Errett, Joshua (July 8–15, 2009). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch/Warner)". Now. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  37. ↑ O'Hare, Colm (2009-07-01). "Wilco (The Album)". Hot Press. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  38. ↑ Rodman, Sarah (June 29, 2009). "Tweedy and Wilco just want to rock". The Boston Globe.
  39. ↑ Stewart, Ryan (2009-05-19). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album)". The Phoenix. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  40. ↑ "Wilco, 'Wilco (The Album)'". Billboard. June 7, 2009. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  41. ↑ Hernandez, Raoul (2009-07-03). "Wilco: Wilco (the album) (Nonesuch)". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  42. ↑ Draper, Jason (June 29, 2009). "Wilco - Wilco (The Album)". Yahoo! Music UK. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  43. ↑ No Ripcord Staff (2009-06-29). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album) - Music Review". No Ripcord. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  44. ↑ Hughes, Tom (2009-06-25). "Wilco, Wilco (the Album)". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  45. ↑ Cataldo, Jesse (2009-06-16). "Wilco: Wilco (The Album)". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  46. ↑ Jspicer (2009-06-30). "Wilco - Wilco (The Album)". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  47. ↑ Dameron, Emerson (2009-07-13). "Dusted Reviews: Wilco - Wilco (The Album)". Dusted Magazine. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  48. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Wilco – Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Wilco – Wilco" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Wilco – Wilco" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Wilco Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Wilco – Wilco" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Wilco: Wilco" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Wilco – Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Wilco – Wilco" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Wilco – Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  58. ↑ "ウィルコ(ジ・アルバム)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
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  60. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Wilco – Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  61. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Wilco – Wilco". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
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  65. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Wilco Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Wilco Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  68. ↑ "Wilco Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
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