Wilco (The Album)
by Wilco
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jun 30, 2009
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 71
  3. Negative: 1 out of 71

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  1. j30
    Sep 22, 2011
    7
    The album feels uneven, you have some really good songs and some mediocre songs. Wilco (The Song) and Bull Black Nova are two key tracks that I love.
  2. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 30, 2011
    7
    Of course, there isn't necessarily a bad song on here. After all, it's Wilco. As far as an album goes, it seems a bit misguided, but that doesn't make it something to avoid. Jeff Tweedy said this album has "something for everyone" and plays like a compilation of their entire career. For instance, "Bull Black Nova" sounds like a b-side from A Ghost Is Born and "Country Disappeared" wouldn'tOf course, there isn't necessarily a bad song on here. After all, it's Wilco. As far as an album goes, it seems a bit misguided, but that doesn't make it something to avoid. Jeff Tweedy said this album has "something for everyone" and plays like a compilation of their entire career. For instance, "Bull Black Nova" sounds like a b-side from A Ghost Is Born and "Country Disappeared" wouldn't be a stranger on Sky Blue Sky. If you're just getting into Wilco, this is a decent starting point. If you're like the rest of us who've followed the band for years, it's a pleasant reminder that your favorite band is still making music.… Expand
  3. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 8, 2010
    8
    Solid album from Wilco. They somehow manage to change their sound a bit with each record, and though they may not sound much like Uncle Tupelo any more, Tweedy and Company know how to make music. This may not be their best, but its a nice listen.
  4. antimo
    Aug 31, 2010
    9
    I've been Wilco fan for fifteen years. Although it's hard to rank their albums, I'd put Wilco( the album) in my top three along with Summerteeth and Sky Blue Sky. Sure it doesn't push the boundaries like some of their other albums, but who can deny such great songwriting paired with Nels Cline guitar work . Not me, sucka! 'One Wing' is a truly beautiful song and might be my favoriteI've been Wilco fan for fifteen years. Although it's hard to rank their albums, I'd put Wilco( the album) in my top three along with Summerteeth and Sky Blue Sky. Sure it doesn't push the boundaries like some of their other albums, but who can deny such great songwriting paired with Nels Cline guitar work . Not me, sucka! 'One Wing' is a truly beautiful song and might be my favorite Wilco song...right now.… Expand
  5. JeffT
    Aug 31, 2009
    9
    Another wonderful piece of Wilco. Their most fun album, that reminds me to Summerteath. Maybe, it's not their best album, but it's really hard with masterpieces like "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "Sky blue Sky" on your back. Wilco never disappoint! Wilco love you, baby!
  6. DrewP
    Aug 13, 2009
    8
    Wow, even though this album got pretty good reviews, I think it's still underrated. Jeff Tweedy & Wilco are just so good at crafting songs that, one way or another, are interesting. Favorites include Wilco (the song), One Wing and Bull Black Nova. Nels Cline on the guitar never disappoints. If you listen closely, there is also some nice production going on. Nothing to the level of Wow, even though this album got pretty good reviews, I think it's still underrated. Jeff Tweedy & Wilco are just so good at crafting songs that, one way or another, are interesting. Favorites include Wilco (the song), One Wing and Bull Black Nova. Nels Cline on the guitar never disappoints. If you listen closely, there is also some nice production going on. Nothing to the level of YHF-level experimentation, but nice nonetheless. The one line just says it all: "Wilco will love you baby."… Expand
  7. DanC
    Aug 12, 2009
    8
    It took a few listens (as usual), but now it's on heavy rotation on my stereo. The tunes grow into the recesses of your mind and find a comfortable, pleasing spot to sit in. Si, me gusto, me gusto mucho.
  8. MannyF
    Jul 31, 2009
    9
    Well said Paul K, you nailed it. Everyone read his review... it's a great assesment of this record compared to more the highly praised ones (i.e. yankee hotel foxtrot) Couldn't of said it better myself.
  9. MikeK
    Jul 28, 2009
    9
    Ha! My first "top 10 of 2009" This is a beautiful album. Long time Wilco listener/critic here. This is my favorite since Being There. The critics with the "80's" across the board are WAY off base. Not sure what's going on there. MK, San Geronimo.
  10. WaltonT
    Jul 25, 2009
    8
    The top 5 or 6 tracks would have made a superb EP.
  11. glen
    Jul 24, 2009
    2
    Wow wilco don't bore me to death or anything. not a single memorable song.
  12. DebK.
    Jul 12, 2009
    10
    Perfect record!
  13. PaulK.
    Jul 10, 2009
    9
    It's funny how misinterpreted Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is. Yes, it's a great album. But it's not that experimental. It's basically a record full of folkie songs and rockers with a bunch of dissonant sounds tossed into each one. Wilco is a way more challenging and progressive band musically in the albums since Nels Cline and Mikael Jorgensen joined the band than before It's funny how misinterpreted Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is. Yes, it's a great album. But it's not that experimental. It's basically a record full of folkie songs and rockers with a bunch of dissonant sounds tossed into each one. Wilco is a way more challenging and progressive band musically in the albums since Nels Cline and Mikael Jorgensen joined the band than before them. But because Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album) don't have songs filled with ambient sounds like "Poor Places" or krautrock blitzkriegs like "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" doesn't mean they're not as progressive musically. Listen to tunes like "Impossible Germany" or "Bull Black Nova" and tell me they're not progressive or Nels Cline freakouts. Plus the last two records were so much tighter thematically than "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "A Ghost is Born," probably because the band has a solid, happy lineup, and Tweedy is more stable mentally and physically than he's been in a long time. This is a damn good record.… Expand
  14. BertE.
    Jul 8, 2009
    8
    I'll take well written, played and arranged songs like these over being experimental for the sake of being experimental any day of the week.
  15. LloydM
    Jul 4, 2009
    9
    Wilco, need I say more. Not quite flawless but beautifully crafted, direct and fulfilling. Like a quality wine Wilco never disappoint.
  16. RobS
    Jul 4, 2009
    8
    Better with repeated listens, I don't consider it one of their top tier efforts. That being said, it's still a really good record with a few songs (I'll fight, One Wing) that I like as much as any other Wilco song. Two or three "filler" type songs tend to hold the album back a bit. Just my humble opinion.
  17. IndyZ
    Jul 2, 2009
    8
    I am concerned that the pro reviewers who rate this disc fairly low seem to have a common theme. They are disappointed in the lack of experimentation. They don't like that Tweedy seems mostly content. I am not sure either of those are very valid reasons for not liking a disc. Not every album can be YHF just like not every album by the Beatles was Sgt. Peppers. Why can't a band I am concerned that the pro reviewers who rate this disc fairly low seem to have a common theme. They are disappointed in the lack of experimentation. They don't like that Tweedy seems mostly content. I am not sure either of those are very valid reasons for not liking a disc. Not every album can be YHF just like not every album by the Beatles was Sgt. Peppers. Why can't a band like Wilco just put out good music and have the critics appreciate that? This disc is full of really good tunes. From beginning to end, it may be their most listener friendly since Being There. And, I find that the musicianship is excellent AND differernt (Cline's guitar work, though mostly buried in the mix, is pretty astounding.) Oh well...as they say, if you cannot do then be a critic!… Expand
  18. Kenny
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    I have listened to it about 5 times in the past 24 hours and I am already in love with it. Wilco's best album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and it is so satisfying.
  19. patrickt
    Jul 1, 2009
    5
    Yawn. Wake me up when the next album's released.
  20. BriboF
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    Ignore all the lukewarm ratings - this is a great Wilco album, just like every other Wilco album.
  21. R.L.
    Jun 30, 2009
    8
    Where all of their previous albums garnered high critical praise, but not much on the commercial end, this new one sounds like Wilco are making an unabashed attempt at gaining more fans and more radio play.
  22. Darnell
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    Yes. It's WIlco satirizing themselves to perfection. Mocking, snarky, humble and eloquent. It's all that and more. At this stage in their career, this is about as perfect an album as any Wilco fan could ask for.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2009
26
#26 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Drowned In Sound
    70
    While (the album) tips far more convincingly on the successful end of the scales, there remains the sense of a band playing safer than needs be; a sextet pushing against their limits but never straining outright at them.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Tweedy's ability to craft great hooks does make this worth a listen, and maybe the band simply needs a pause to catch its creative breath. Let's just hope the next one isn't called Wilco (another album).
    Read full review
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Chicago's veteran alt-rockers haven't sounded this much fun in ages, their seventh album balancing their easy-going and experimental sides.
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