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Down With Wilco
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Down With Wilco Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: On this long-delayed release, the Minus 5's Scott McCaughey, Ken Stringfellow (the Posies) and Peter Buck (R.E.M.) team up with all four members of Wilco for 13 original tracks.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    90
    This collective has always represented the darker elements of McCaughey's personality, but the depression is kept in check here by Wilco's solid and often upbeat backing, thus playing a major role in the most enjoyable Minus 5 release yet.
  2. Stylus Magazine
    89
    It’s the most lush, symphonic pop music since, well, Wilco’s Summerteeth.
  3. Billboard
    80
    While the album isn't nearly as compelling as Wilco's latest, it proves a thoroughly enjoyable listen nonetheless.
  4. PopMatters
    70
    Almost too understated for its own good.
  5. Mojo
    70
    A reflective, pop album fit for a rainy afternoon. [Mar 2003, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The A.V. Club
    70
    While Down is ultimately just a collection of minor pleasures, they're the kind of pleasures that add up.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    50
    It's one of those albums that's good, but you also know you won't listen to it all that much.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. RonD
    Oct 18, 2003
    8
    Can't get it out of my head
  2. JeffD
    Aug 18, 2005
    3
    If you look at it on paper, I should really like this album. I like Wilco. I like REM. I like some Minus 5 songs. For the life of me, though, If you look at it on paper, I should really like this album. I like Wilco. I like REM. I like some Minus 5 songs. For the life of me, though, I keep looking for the Next button until whoops, ran out of songs. Since I don't worship at the altar of Brian Wilson I suppose I'm not the exact target audience. Technically this is a great album. It sounds good. The pieces are all there, but there's just something that leaves a taste like flat Coca-Cola in my mouth: it's not bad, but it could be better. It is a very produced album; you can tell they spent a lot of time in the studio on this one. Perhaps that's the problem, it's all very sterile to my ears. The Minus 5 sound great on a wonderful power-pop single like "You Don't Mean It" but on this...too much Beach Boys worship for my tastes. If you like the thought of all the production of the Beach Boys with a little bit of Jeff Tweedy, buy this album. Just don't expect a new Summerteeth. As for me, if I want to listen to the Beach Boys I'll actually listen to the Beach Boys.… Expand

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