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Tweedy leads Wilco to another successful album

Wilco (The Album) is a cohesive combination of ballads and jamming.

Published July 7, 2009

For the past 15 years, Jeff Tweedy has been notorious for his demanding visionary persona, expecting nothing less than perfection from every Wilco album. Throughout their seventh studio album, Wilco (The Album), it is clear that all six members were aware of Tweedy's expectations.

If you listen carefully enough, it is obvious each track has been crafted meticulously, both lyrically and instrumentally. They convey a sound that is calculated and at times, even mathematical.

Although it might seem unusual that a self-titled album would appear 15 years after the group's formation, it is timely for the band. By the time the 11th track ends, it is overwhelmingly clear they have cohesively established a mature sound, demonstrative of both consistency and surprise.

Perhaps it is self-titled because the high contrast of light and dark throughout the album encapsulates Wilco as a band. Tweedy and his bandmates can get lost in minutes of perpetual jamming, and the next moment they are fading into a soft lullaby -- that is the beauty of this album.

For instance, the track "Bull Black Nova," a ballad filled with paranoia and dissonant organ and piano sounds, segues into "You and I," a soft, romantic collaboration with Leslie Feist.

The two tracks are juxtaposed as extremes, taking the listener on an emotionally-charged ride, Tweedy's specialty.

The album kicks off with a sing-along track entitled "Wilco (The Song)," which is said to be a love song written to Wilco's fans.

There is a unique medley of tracks throughout the album that gives the listener a variety of moods from which to choose. Anyone can extract a hook or lyric from a track that evokes a range of thought or emotion. It's unconditionally guaranteed; as Tweedy says, "Wilco will love you baby."