Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
by Wilco
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Apr 23, 2002
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 249 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 224 out of 249
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 249
  3. Negative: 17 out of 249

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  1. JohnF.
    May 8, 2002
    9
    Wilco has (had I guess) it all down. I'm glad this album didn't disappear.
  2. SeamusS
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    Though Not the most immediatly accesable album from the band, it remains one of their greatest, truley turning a corner in alternative country and giving a big fuck you to the rest of the shity music world. If you're smart and not so full of yourself as to have to dislike it because alot of people do, you'll love it. remember kids there's a reason to why some albums are popular
  3. TomJ.
    May 6, 2002
    10
    This disc changed my life. I can't stop listening to it.
  4. T.David
    May 5, 2003
    9
    A disc that demands your patience. From annoying cacophony on the first listen... to strange curiousity after awhile... it eventually leads you to the conclusion that YHF is a brilliant americana symphony. Best of 2002
  5. MartinF
    Oct 1, 2004
    10
    One of modern indie's most important records. Lyrics and music go along perfectly and create a truly fantastic atmosphere throughout the whole album.
  6. BeejP
    Oct 25, 2004
    9
    Great album, I think this album is at the top of my list by Wilco. It really shows that "less catchy" music is worth listening to. Whoever said it doesn't live up to the quality of Justin Timberlake, I hope you were joking.
  7. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    9
    Having listened to this album through several times, I find myself constantly re-evaluating it. It grew on me slowly, reaching a peak but after a time slowly falling out of favor as I acquired new albums. Having just listened to it through once again, I remember all of the reasons why I liked it. This is definitely an album that requires patience, but one that will ultimately reward your Having listened to this album through several times, I find myself constantly re-evaluating it. It grew on me slowly, reaching a peak but after a time slowly falling out of favor as I acquired new albums. Having just listened to it through once again, I remember all of the reasons why I liked it. This is definitely an album that requires patience, but one that will ultimately reward your faithfulness to it.… Expand
  8. GrayD
    Jul 22, 2006
    10
    This album is among my favourites and it has nothing to do with the 'giving a big fuck you to those coporate assholes' or anything like that. It's because the songs are masterful, delicate, played well and carries a atmosphere of hopeful melocholy with it.
  9. MardyR.
    Apr 23, 2002
    10
    The most experimental album from one of music most inovative bands. Wilco is a force to be reckoned with this year!
  10. JoaoS.
    Apr 30, 2002
    10
    this is the best album from 2001 and probably from 2002 too! God bless Wilco.
  11. JohnC.
    Aug 13, 2002
    10
    10/10...and its not even my favorite wilco album...
  12. John
    Aug 18, 2004
    10
    *gasps* it's.....BEAUTIFUL!!!!
  13. weltact
    Feb 24, 2005
    9
    the best marriage of folk acoustics and modern studio trickery
  14. Mr.Hankey
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    Yankee Hotel Foxtrot could be considered a triumph for Wilco because it showed that they didn't need Corporate America to make the album that they wanted to make. Even through all the chaos and struggle the band came out with one of the best albums of the millenium. The album is melodic and soft because of the guitar and voice of Jeff Tweedy but also the noise that propels into the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot could be considered a triumph for Wilco because it showed that they didn't need Corporate America to make the album that they wanted to make. Even through all the chaos and struggle the band came out with one of the best albums of the millenium. The album is melodic and soft because of the guitar and voice of Jeff Tweedy but also the noise that propels into the song brings out what the album was meant for. Now I am a fan of Wilco because they make smart music that is at times a riot of a mess and at times an orchestral triumph. You will find that this album is one of their bests and will remain that way because it is one of the high rated albums that deserves it and in 2006 is still listenable and better than anything that has come out this year.… Expand
  15. DanC.
    Apr 25, 2002
    10
    This record is an instant classic. There hasn't been a better record released since the last Wilco record in 1999. GET THIS RECORD!
  16. Smogfan
    Apr 29, 2002
    10
    The bells and whistles are different, but the core is classic Wilco.
  17. AZviaNYC
    Jun 14, 2002
    10
    What makes YHF astonishing is how much it resonates after Sept. 11. And all the songs were written and recorded months before. For the remainder of my life, whenever I listen to this disc, it will be a haunting reminder of what occured that day. An Amazing Disc.
  18. MarkR.
    Jul 31, 2002
    9
    This was the album of the year...until "The Rising" came out...
  19. Dan
    Aug 31, 2002
    8
    this is, hands down, the best wilco album yet, featuring some of tweedy's best all-around offerings including the bouncy i am trying to break your heart, and the beautiful poor places. it is not, however, the GREAT album that it has been made out to be. perhaps the best album thus far this year, though ugly casanova could give it a run for its money.
  20. KevinW.
    Aug 6, 2002
    7
    Apparently Wilco spent a lot of time listening to Stephen Malkmus's debut before recording Yankee Foxtrot. Wiclo is a group that used to rag on Pavement and now offers us a mild imitiation.
  21. JacobG.
    Sep 19, 2002
    10
    Definitely my favorite cd right now... and has been for the past few months. Never before has a cd captured me so squarely. Please tell me how someone can NOT like this cd?
  22. BenW
    Sep 3, 2002
    10
    Listen and Listen, it gets better.
  23. leet
    Dec 30, 2004
    9
    YHF is an album I find myself returning to over and over.
  24. JoeyM
    Jan 6, 2004
    10
    I have purchases a ton of CDs since I picked up "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Somehow, YHF is the one that keeps finding its way back into my CD player. It inspired me to purchase the rest of the Wilco catalog, all of the Uncle Tupelo albums, the Billy Bragg collaborations, and albums by related bands, like Son Volt. As of yet, nothing has compared to YHF - perhaps, for me, nothing will. That I have purchases a ton of CDs since I picked up "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Somehow, YHF is the one that keeps finding its way back into my CD player. It inspired me to purchase the rest of the Wilco catalog, all of the Uncle Tupelo albums, the Billy Bragg collaborations, and albums by related bands, like Son Volt. As of yet, nothing has compared to YHF - perhaps, for me, nothing will. That all being said, I sort of hated it the first time I heard it. It took two or three listens before I realized that it was actually pretty amazing. Now, I find new things every time I listen to it. While I'm not convinced that this album I for all tastes, I do believe that more people would like it if they had an opportunity to hear it. That said, I highly recomend it.… Expand
  25. KyleP
    Mar 13, 2004
    8
    This CD is, simply put, a band and a songwriter at the top of their games. Wilco leaps headlong into musical experimentation and create a masterpiece. There is not a single weak track contained in these 11 songs. However, this is not easy-access listening. The music is dense, covering the inherent beauty of Jeff Tweedy's melodies. Upon repeated listenings, however, the beauty of this This CD is, simply put, a band and a songwriter at the top of their games. Wilco leaps headlong into musical experimentation and create a masterpiece. There is not a single weak track contained in these 11 songs. However, this is not easy-access listening. The music is dense, covering the inherent beauty of Jeff Tweedy's melodies. Upon repeated listenings, however, the beauty of this poignant country-rock album is revealed in all its stunning glory. "I am trying to break your heart" will be your least favorite song upon first listen and your most favorite after your tenth. This record only gets better. … Expand
  26. Gnarles
    Oct 25, 2005
    9
    Takes some getting used to and a few repeat listens, but once it finally connects... wow. Like a rush of chills in your ears.
  27. JoseH
    Feb 22, 2005
    10
    My first listen to this album was a little dissapointing as I soaked in what seemed a monotone acoustic guitar and lyrics about a camera (my brother had me skip the noise ridden elegaic "I am trying..". I dismiissed it and yet kept listening to it, until I found myself playing it from start to finish over and over and over and over again. The album is a masterpiece, a mood changer and a My first listen to this album was a little dissapointing as I soaked in what seemed a monotone acoustic guitar and lyrics about a camera (my brother had me skip the noise ridden elegaic "I am trying..". I dismiissed it and yet kept listening to it, until I found myself playing it from start to finish over and over and over and over again. The album is a masterpiece, a mood changer and a revelation in listening to music.… Expand
  28. JimBB
    Mar 27, 2005
    10
    Definitely one of the 5 best albums so far this decade. This timely masterpiece blew me away with its sonic creativity and poetic honesty,and sheer melodic brilliance.
  29. randym
    Apr 10, 2005
    10
    The more you listen, the more you will like!
  30. [Anonymous]
    Jun 1, 2005
    9
    many say that it is a kid a ripoff , but the truth is, that is infinitely better
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2002
10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2002
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. Almost Cool
    90
    I'm not sure if it's the work by O'Rourke or the progression of the group (or a little of both), but this disc is so multi-layered that it's easy to hear new things many many times after the first listen.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    100
    A masterpiece, exactly the sort of record that your average sentient pop genius should make in 2002. [May 2002, p.99]
  3. AllMusic
    80
    While their songs still maintain the loose intimacy that was apparent on their debut AM, the music has matured to reveal a complexity that is rare in pop music, yet showcased perfectly on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
    Read full review
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