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Written by Jen Owens
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Tuesday, 26 May 2009 |
 Wilco is scheduled to perform at Bonnaroo this year. Photo by Flickr's mysticchildz.
Jeff Tweedy and other members from the band Uncle Tupelo were the original founders of Wilco, which people now refer to as the first “alt-country band.” Punk bands like The Ramones and The Stooges highly influenced Wilco, as well as early Americana bands like The Carter Family. It’s a fantastic and interesting blend. Wilco’s first studio album, A.M., is fully steeped in the alt-country genre. On the album Being There, it was obvious that Wilco was going in a different direction from their alt-country roots, with songs “Misunderstood” and “Hotel Arizona” being the standouts. Wilco then collaborated with folk/punk/protest musician Billy Bragg on Mermaid Avenue, where they recorded songs from Woody Guthrie lyrics that were never set to music.
Summerteeth was Wilco’s next studio album. The songs were more personal in nature and had an even more experimental feel with songs like “A Shot in the Arm,” “She’s a Jar” and “Can’t Stand It.” Gorgeous string arrangements coupled with stark lyrics on “Via Chicago” make this song a fan favorite. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco’s next album, was complex, noisy, strange, detached from reality and beautiful all at the same time. It’s best to listen to the entire record, rather than picking out individual songs. The flow is exceptional. During this time, Wilco lost two band members but picked up incredible drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco released A Ghost is Born, another album based in experimentation. The album Sky Blue Sky features more of a mellow sound. The songs are more radio-friendly, and a few were used in Volkswagen commercials. Impressive guitarist Nels Cline joined the band during the creation.
Wilco’s seventh studio album is scheduled for release in June. Wilco is an amazing live band, and should be great to see at Bonnaroo.
[WilcoWorld.net, Front page image by Flickr's "mysticchildz"]
Jen Owens, a TheSequitur.com contributor, is a systems analyst in northeast Tennessee.
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