

Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo after singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently during its first decade, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004 the lineup has been unchanged, consisting of Tweedy, Stirratt, guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released thirteen studio albums, a live double album, and four collaborations: three with Billy Bragg and one with the Minus 5.
Wilco's music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles including Bill Fay, the Beatles, and Television; in turn the band has influenced music by many modern alternative rock acts. The band continued in the alternative country style of Uncle Tupelo on its debut album A.M. (1995), but has since introduced more experimental aspects to their music, including elements of alternative rock and classic pop. Wilco's musical style has evolved from a 1990s country rock sound to a current "eclectic indie rock collective that touches on many eras and genres".
Wilco received media attention for their fourth album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001), and the controversy surrounding it. After the recording sessions were complete, Reprise Records rejected the album and dismissed Wilco from the label. As part of a buy-out deal, Reprise gave Wilco the rights to the album for free. After streaming Foxtrot on its website, Wilco sold the album to Nonesuch Records in 2002. Both record labels are subsidiaries of Warner Music Group, leading a critic to say the album showed "how screwed up the music business is in the early twenty-first century." The event was immortalized in the documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart; director Sam Jones followed the band as they wrote and produced the record. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is Wilco's most successful release to date, selling over 670,000 copies. Wilco won two Grammy Awards for their fifth studio album, 2004's A Ghost Is Born, including Best Alternative Music Album. Wilco released their thirteenth studio album, Cousin, in September 2023.
That must mean the rest of the album is super-great!
+1 to 8 for the Bactrian Camel on the album cover.
Long Live RP and all the camels of the world!!
DaMoGan wrote:
I could never get my wife or kids to listen to Wilco. My wife called it "nails on a chalk board", which is also her standard comment for Neil Young. Then I put Jesus, Etc., Either Way & Impossible Germany (and some Neil Young Harvest Moon cuts) on a sleep playlist that my kids listen too at night in bed. Now their all big fans. My daughter's favorite is Jesus, Etc. My son's is Impossible Germany. I can't pick a favorite Wilco song, but I think Sky Blue Sky is my favorite record. They are truly amazing live.
Now I find myself reacting almost identically to this new record. Having already run this course, I am confident that in time the music will represent another great addition to the Wilco discography ...
You're confusing the nuances of Tweedy's voice with weakness. Others might confuse the monotone nature of Beninger's vocal delivery with boredom. One man's...
Seeing Bull Black Nova live should be required! Seeing Wilco live is DEF required!
say it fast with emphasis on the first two syllables and think spanish slang...(caca = feces, "shit", "poop")
and I am a fan of Wilco...this me no likey.
So, the mental tension and disarray of a violent act and realization likely comes out as musically discordant--dissonance is the key to much of the musical texturing Jeff Tweedy employs to evoke emotion and experience. This tune, in full context, succeeds in drawing that emotional landscape: imagine coming down from a raging drug/emotional violent high and then confronting the realization that something awful has happened, there's blood on the car and on your hands. Cacophonous works... for me.
These guys and their earlier band (Tupelo) were once a powerhouse of a R n R band. Born in the town of Belleville, IL...home to Stag Beer and full of midwest heartbreak and goofiness.
How about some of the earlier stuff?