User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Whole Love
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Whole Love Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

  • Summary: The Chicago alternative rock band releases its eighth studio album on its own label dBom.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

I Might
Was I wrong? Off all night long? So high, as the stinking sun I came alive, then I felt, Oh Uh Oh Some guys have everything I know It’s... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. NOW Magazine
    Sep 29, 2011
    100
    Wilco's ace eighth album, the first released on their own label, dBpm, is a real kick in the pants.
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 26, 2011
    90
    Quite simply, this is the work of a great band at the peak of their powers, and The Whole Love is a joy to hear, revealing more with each listen and confirming once again that Wilco is as good a band as American can claim in the 21st century.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Sep 27, 2011
    85
    The Whole Love reveals itself as their finest album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
  4. Spin
    Sep 21, 2011
    80
    The Whole Love feels more of a piece with 1999's Summerteeth, the caustic pop opus on which Tweedy sped away from alt-country (or y'allternative, No Depression, whatever) in a car far sleeker (and blacker) than the one Hank Williams supposedly died in.
  5. Uncut
    Sep 23, 2011
    80
    While the album is packed with inventive moments, there's no more lacerating skronk, for a very good reason: the emotions the band is mirroring don't call for it. [Oct 2011, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Chicago Tribune
    Sep 23, 2011
    75
    As a sheer sound experience, The Whole Love is rewarding, a tapestry of tiny details that invites close listening.
  7. Magnet
    Nov 11, 2011
    50
    The Whole Love works best as aural comfort food.[#81, p. 60]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. FunkeeMonkee
    Sep 28, 2011
    10
    My favorite album from them since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Wasn't so sure at first, but it grew on me tremoundously. Will definately be playingMy favorite album from them since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Wasn't so sure at first, but it grew on me tremoundously. Will definately be playing consecutively in my ears for the next few days. I must say that after their past couple releases that I'm very impressed!… Expand
  2. Superstar
    Oct 31, 2011
    10
    Excrptional! I must confess that I thought the band's best days were behind them. While "Sky Blue Sky" and "Wilco (The Album)" wereExcrptional! I must confess that I thought the band's best days were behind them. While "Sky Blue Sky" and "Wilco (The Album)" were reasonably strong, I felt they were not up to the standards set by the previous albums that had me rating them the best and most important band in rock'n roll. Well now they are back and better then ever. The album opens with an instant classic in "Art of Almost" and just keeps going. Equally impressive are some of the rockers like "I Might", "Born Alone" and "Standing O". The album clses with another gem with the sprawling "One Sunday Morning" which punctuates Wilco's finest ever and the best album of 2011!… Expand
  4. obgob
    Oct 10, 2011
    10
    A very fine album indeed! Despite considering Wilco one of the best bands of these times, I was not particularly excited about this album.A very fine album indeed! Despite considering Wilco one of the best bands of these times, I was not particularly excited about this album. (likely due to their respectable, but not standout I.M.O. Wilco the Album) Nevertheless, The Whole Love is one of those albums that keeps getting better and better with each listen, and I don't plan on stop listening any time soon. Thanks Wilco.… Expand
  5. LetScar
    Jul 25, 2015
    10
    Brilliant! I love Wilco, and it is wonderful to receive wonderful music year after year. The whole Love along with Sky Blue Sky are now myBrilliant! I love Wilco, and it is wonderful to receive wonderful music year after year. The whole Love along with Sky Blue Sky are now my favorite albums. So so good!… Expand
  6. j30
    Oct 28, 2011
    10
    The first great album of the new decade. An album, so diverse, you can't get it out of your head. Each time I listen to the album the more IThe first great album of the new decade. An album, so diverse, you can't get it out of your head. Each time I listen to the album the more I respect it's musicianship and lyrics. From the muscle flexing "Art of Almost" to the epic beauty of "One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)", it's their most captivating album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.… Expand
  7. ramona
    Dec 14, 2011
    9
    I appreciate musicians that innovate and try new things, but itâ
  8. DaGuruDette
    Sep 29, 2011
    8
    I will say this album is a good blend of previous albums of theirs fans enjoyed like Being There and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I thought Sky BlueI will say this album is a good blend of previous albums of theirs fans enjoyed like Being There and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I thought Sky Blue Sky was consistent throughout with its sound but was not overwhelmed by it. I thought Wilco(The Album) was really bad and their worst ever. This album was a very important return for them in many ways. I really like Dawned on Me, Born Alone and Open Mind. I also feel One Sunday Morning is one of Tweedy's best lyrical moments over the years. Too bad a fool like dat shrimp does not follow this band.… Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Music

    September's Best New Music

    September's Best New Music Image
    Published: September 30, 2011
    We reveal the best-reviewed albums from the past month, a list that includes debuts from Wild Flag and Das Racist as well as another in a long line of great LPs by Mastodon and Wilco. Plus, listen to tracks from each album.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2011
58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2011
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2011