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. JUIKER
    Oct 1, 2010
    10
    Awesome, music from the rock and roll angels! Great songs jammed out to their max, along with slow and thoughtful sing-alongs. Instantly and unilaterally establishes the Tweedy legend.
  2. mbagely
    Jan 3, 2011
    10
    I agree completely with Pitchfork, this album is amazing.
    I mean it was great on thre first couple of listens but as I've spent more time with it I notice the subtleties and warm to those songs that I didn't like too much at first.
  3. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 8, 2010
    9
    A.M. was basically an extension of Uncle Tupelo; with Being There, Wilco moved from country to a kind of alternative country and have slowly swayed from their roots with each album. However, they manage to change styles without losing their appeal. Not a real catchy group of songs but a solid one nonetheless.
  4. JohnF.
    May 8, 2002
    9
    Wilco has (had I guess) it all down. I'm glad this album didn't disappear.
  5. 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
  6. weltact
    Feb 24, 2005
    9
    the best marriage of folk acoustics and modern studio trickery
  7. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    It's a classic from the first clicks and buzzes of the opening track.
  8. ScottH.
    Dec 24, 2007
    10
    Superb. Certainly one of the best albums of this decade (so far).
  9. Hein
    Dec 30, 2007
    10
    The Wire is deaf. Beautiful voice, brilliant songwriting and subtle experimenting. Perfect & timeless!
  10. WittN
    Jul 25, 2007
    10
    An excellent album that balances obscrue insturments and melodies with equally interesting lyrics and song progression; a must listen.
  11. SeanB.
    Apr 16, 2002
    10
    Excellent album! Worth it's weight (wait?) in gold.
  12. goog.
    May 29, 2002
    10
    Brilliant.
  13. michaeljcovel
    Sep 5, 2010
    9
    I still cover 2 of these songs professionally: Jesus etc. and Pot Kettle Black
    (for those that feel there are no pop hooks)
    On my worst review I give it a 6; on my best a 9-something.... there are songs I still skip over (heavy metal drummer, kamera, radio cure) songs I still play (jesus etc., pot kettle black) song I'm indifferent (reservations, war on war, I'm the Man....) and song I    I still cover 2 of these songs professionally: Jesus etc. and Pot Kettle Black
    (for those that feel there are no pop hooks)
    On my worst review I give it a 6; on my best a 9-something....
    there are songs I still skip over (heavy metal drummer, kamera, radio cure)
    songs I still play (jesus etc., pot kettle black)
    song I'm indifferent (reservations, war on war, I'm the Man....)
    and song I still am intrigued by (poor places, I am trying..., ashes--esp the outlying guitar part)
    did they hype it? probably but why not hype what you've put a lot of work into?
    and I never actually bought any of it so I give them a 9 overall    … Expand
  14. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    Rolling Stone said it best when they called it "an American masterpiece." Upon it's release, it quite frankly, changed everything. They created a sound that has been done and redone ever since 2002. And I believe history will eventually place this up there with Sgt. Peppers & Blonde On Blonde. "Ashes of American Flags" is a highlight on an album of highlights. To further dive into theRolling Stone said it best when they called it "an American masterpiece." Upon it's release, it quite frankly, changed everything. They created a sound that has been done and redone ever since 2002. And I believe history will eventually place this up there with Sgt. Peppers & Blonde On Blonde. "Ashes of American Flags" is a highlight on an album of highlights. To further dive into the making of this record, check out the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. Another classic in it's own realm.… Expand
  15. ScottY
    Jul 9, 2005
    3
    Overrated. I liked their work with Billy Bragg better.
  16. EdgarF.
    May 29, 2002
    3
    Let's not get carried away by the hype. Their label was right to refuse to release this record. It's their weakest album yet and is completely self-indulgent.
  17. PaulL
    Jan 9, 2006
    5
    dull dull dull dull dull. I'm reviewing this in early 2006 After having some perspective, I think this record was carried by sheer hype. I remember the songs clearly and how smug I felt listening to it (take that corporate fools!), but now I can not even will myself to put it in the cd player. The mere thought of this album can induce a coma.
  18. KevinD.
    Mar 17, 2008
    4
    One of the most overrated albums of the new millennium period. There are four good songs on this album, and that's the nicest thing that can be said about it. Experimental? Yes, but something new? No, adding computer sounds and fuzz is experimental for this band, but it's an old trick. Good folk rock has two defining characteristics, melody and lyrics. The melodies on this album One of the most overrated albums of the new millennium period. There are four good songs on this album, and that's the nicest thing that can be said about it. Experimental? Yes, but something new? No, adding computer sounds and fuzz is experimental for this band, but it's an old trick. Good folk rock has two defining characteristics, melody and lyrics. The melodies on this album are mostly the same and wear out after the first four tracks. So then the lyrics... decent, but certainly not world class. For example, "Jesus, etc." is a gorgeous song with great lyrics, but "I am the man who loves you" has thin melodies and lyrics that are just boring. It's background music, something that puts me to sleep every time I listen to it, and I've listened to it several times, each time thinking, "maybe this time it'll be interesting." It never is.… Expand
  19. RickR
    Sep 18, 2003
    1
    Your chastizing me!! This album is not even close to the quality of some of justin timberlakes stuff.
  20. TomJ.
    May 6, 2002
    10
    This disc changed my life. I can't stop listening to it.
  21. 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
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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!
  27. JoaoS.
    Apr 30, 2002
    10
    this is the best album from 2001 and probably from 2002 too! God bless Wilco.
  28. JohnC.
    Aug 13, 2002
    10
    10/10...and its not even my favorite wilco album...
  29. JuanT
    May 15, 2004
    2
    Boring hokey country pop sprinkled with electronica. It's awful, not an interesting note of music on the whole album. YHF is an album only music critics could possibly enjoy.
  30. John
    Aug 18, 2004
    10
    *gasps* it's.....BEAUTIFUL!!!!
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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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