2009: Wilco - Wilco (the album)

As some people waited in anticipation for the release of the new Wilco album, thousands of internet users had already acquired it from the internet. Wilco then retaliated by streaming it from their website. And so Wilco finally released their self-titled album with a somewhat ironic title. The album starts with Wilco (the song), which plays in a cool shuffle much like Can't Stand It from Summerteeth, with a moisy keyboard/guitar sort of thing, like they used in YHF. But this album isn't exactly going to suprise fans by going into a totally different direction, this is more of a continuation of all the work that Wilco has been doing throughout their career, although they don't sound like the country-rock band they were once labeled as, they still have some instrumentation that could remind you of it. This like previous Wilco albums is a pop/rock-album, with enchanting melodies (like the ones on "Deeper Down") accompanied by Tweedys soothing vocals. This album is also a small step away from Sky Blue Sky, where the solos were more jazz-influenced they now are sonically great especially the guitar work on "One Wing". "You And I" sounds very much like one of those acoustic songs from Summerteeth, but this album doesn't re-capture their lyrical cleverness mixed with incredible twee-pop melodies. But there's plenty of good pop songs to be had on this album such as "You Never Know", which instantly reminds me of some of George Harrison's early work. But the best song on this album has to be "I'll Fight" which immediately hooks you with it's emotionally charged verse, that Tweedy has no problem singing with such a passion that gives us no choice but to believe him. Tweedys lyrics on this album aren't that great on their own but with the instrumentation of the band they can create some amazing songs, although you won't find a Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Summerteeth here, this is a worthy addition to Wilco's already great discography.

Score: 7/10

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