a ghost is born
by Wilco
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jun 22, 2004
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 140 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 130 out of 140
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 140
  3. Negative: 5 out of 140

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  1. BenJ
    Aug 20, 2004
    5
    After a string of fantastic albums Wilco have now released a real dud. The production is particularly poor - murky and quite dull, it takes the edge off many of the albums better melodies. The bands experimental tendencies have now resulted in two songs meandering over 10, very painful, minutes and the number of tedious guitar solos has shot up dramtically and runined some potential great After a string of fantastic albums Wilco have now released a real dud. The production is particularly poor - murky and quite dull, it takes the edge off many of the albums better melodies. The bands experimental tendencies have now resulted in two songs meandering over 10, very painful, minutes and the number of tedious guitar solos has shot up dramtically and runined some potential great songs (Handshake Drug springs to mind). Praise it receives now I think will be re-evaluated come their next, hopefully much better, release.… Expand
  2. GregA
    Jul 30, 2004
    6
    With the exception of a few thoughtfully-written tracks, Tweedy goes a-stumblin' and a-bumblin' through one tedious melody after another - many of which seem to defy you to aviod hitting the "skip" button. If this were their debut album, Wilco would likely be relegated to playing obscure motels and lounges for the rest of their careers. This is a substantially weak and With the exception of a few thoughtfully-written tracks, Tweedy goes a-stumblin' and a-bumblin' through one tedious melody after another - many of which seem to defy you to aviod hitting the "skip" button. If this were their debut album, Wilco would likely be relegated to playing obscure motels and lounges for the rest of their careers. This is a substantially weak and distracted effort from otherwise geniuses.… Expand
  3. EricL
    Oct 31, 2006
    5
    Wilco was my favorite band. Now they have a CD that I can't get through even once without skipping to somthing else. This disc goes off the deep end, and the hooks are about gone. If Summerteeth is a 10, then this is a (kind) 5. My Best of Wilco has one song from this CD ( I'm a Wheel)
  4. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    6
    Never reaching the highs of Yankee foxtrot hotel Wilco foster the captivating peaks of their debut "summerteeth". It's a spacious record that matures in the silent spaces between delicate moments of muted sadness

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best Album of 2004
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2004
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Playlouder
    80
    This time, as well as simply delivering the goods, Wilco come bearing a basket of extras.
    Read full review
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    Unlike the first three Wilco albums and even more than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, A Ghost is Born requires careful listening.
    Read full review
  3. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Ghost is not a lot of fun. Still, it's an accomplishment, because it's an angry album.
    Read full review
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