Wilco (The Album Review)
The alt-rock fixtures release their seventh studio album
When a band self titles an album it tends to make a strong statement Whether an artist chooses to release such an album as their first record, later on in their career, or any time that it pleases (see Weezer), the self-titled record is often a statement of identity. It is a band’s brand name; the statement that the artist decides is worthy of being directly linked to them.
And now Wilco is taking a crack at the whole eponymous album thing seven records deep in their career. Also, just to make sure this one doesn’t get remembered as “the album with the camel on the cover wearing a hat”, they’ve decided to be extra explicit and call it Wilco (The Album).
Considering how far the band has been over the stylistic map over its existence the idea of an album sized statement of Wilco’s identity seems pretty daunting. This is a band that’s been dubbed, in rough chronological order, alt-country, folk rock, alternative rock, experimental, classic rock, and just about every shade in between. This raises the question of whether or not the album functions as a concise picture of Wilco (The Band) and, if it does, exactly what does that picture look like.
Wilco (The Tracks)
Those who like Wilco’s newfound plan of naming their work after themselves are in luck; the self-titled fun doesn’t stop with the album’s name. The first track on the album, fittingly, is “Wilco (The Song)”. On this song the band taps into its rarely displayed sense of humor, promising to the downtrodden masses “Wilco will love you”. While the self-referential jokes are a new thing for these guys, the music is anything but. The song’s breezy melody and occasional bursts of distorted guitar are pure, classic Wilco.
The mood of Wilco (The Album) generally takes its cue from Wilco (The Song). Tracks “You Never Know” and the Feist-Tweedy duet “You and I” float along like clouds in a peaceful summer sky, effortless and comforting. They are indicators that the band has reached a stage in its existence where it can knock off pop gems with a flick of the wrist.
The album is not without its more brooding numbers, however. “Bull Black Nova” revisits the murder-ballad territory of “Via Chicago” with lyrics from the perspective of a husband who has just killed his wife over an eerie, pulsing piano riff.
Jeff Tweedy sings the strident “I’ll Fight” with all the conviction he can muster, and it gives the song a very compelling edge. These tart notes serve to balance out the general sweetness of the album. And, maybe, with bitter tastes as satisfying as this desert isn’t even the best part of the meal.
Wilco (The Synopsis)
Wilco (The Album) captures the band in a very positive light. Maybe not at the creative peak of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but certainly on a comfortable bluff not far below. The feeling of turbulence that marked the band’s earlier efforts seems to be gone, replaced by a reassured sense of calm. After seven albums, a ton of lineup changes, and the unfortunate death of former member Jay Bennett, the band appears to have achieved some sort of stability, and it is reflected in the relaxed atmosphere of Wilco (The Album).
Ultimately, the self-titling on Wilco’s most recent effort isn’t the band’s attempt at defining themselves and their career, that’ll be for Wilco (The Box Set) to do. Instead Wilco (The Album) is the band’s way of stating that they’re comfortable with who they are and the music they’re making, and this bodes well for Wilco (The Future).
I wonder how the camel feels about that hat
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