Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

Wilco has been one of my favorite (the favorite) bands ever since I heard Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and this album continues the band's enduring legacy of great music. Wilco (the album) finds the band returning to their alt-country roots with more relaxed mood and less complex song-writing. This album reminds me of the vibe I got from Being There or Summerteeth.

Jeff Tweedy sounds like he is finally comfortable with himself and the band, which gives this album a really relaxed and laid-back feeling. Tweedy's song-writing has stayed strong and his vocals mesh well with the band. There are no big rockers on this album like Sky Blue Sky or Ghost is Born, but it's ok because all of the songs fit together so well, in the calmer atmosphere of this album as a whole.

The album opens with Wilco (the song), a shuffle that gives a good taste of the band. Leslie Feist is featured on "You and I," the vocalist from the group Feist. She sings a duet with Tweedy which makes for a beautiful song. This is followed by You Never Know, which sounds almost reminiscent of a song from George Harrison's "All Things Must ." The album is mostly a peaceful affair, such as "Solitaire," one of the calmest Wilco songs I've ever heard. The experimental and rock-out that were common on the last few albums can only be glimpsed at on the last few songs of the album, like on the catchy "I'll Fight."

This is a very tight album packed with feel-good, relaxing, country-tinged songs. The band sounds as good as ever; like they finally feel at home with themselves. The songs are all 3-4 minute range and the album is around 43 minutes total, so it's not overdone, and will give you many hours of listening pleasure!