Let me say something first before I introduce the #7 band on my all-time favorite list. I missed out on the first half of Wilco's career, then struggled to get acquainted in the next quarter of it, and finally in the last few years have now realized how important they are. What can I say? Sometimes great things take awhile to hit you.
Wilco and I have a lot of great things in common (well, kinda. It's really a stretch, but go with me on this anyway.). We both are rooted in alternative-roots type music. Of course, Wilco's lead singer, Jeff Tweedy, started his career in the alt-country band Uncle Tupelo before starting one of the most influential bands of the '00s. Both of us had our underrated moment in the sun. Wilco's being the 2002 album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, mine being, let's be honest no one really cares. Finally, Wilco hails from the almighty city of Chicago (and I live in the suburbs). Oh well, the comparisons are close enough.
As previously stated, Wilco's first album, AM, came in the wake of the Uncle Tupelo breakup in 1995. Tweedy and the boys launched in the same direction as Uncle Tupelo, but over time they would move on into a more diverse musical nature. Wilco followed up AM with Being There, another critically acclaimed, but not much heard album. However, it did produce the song "Outtasite (Outta Mind)," which made a serious impact on my life. In 1999, Summerteeth was released with songs like "Via Chicago," "Can't Stand It," and "I'm Always in Love." The album peaked at #78 on the Billboard 200, which put it a step below their previous album. Still, Wilco was moving forward into more listeners ears.
Wilco's biggest leap was with their 2002 release, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, in which they released the album without any backing. Eventually, they were signed on by Nonesuch Records, and they would not look back. Named one of the top albums of the decade by nearly every source available, YHF sold over 500,000 albums and hit #13 on the Billboard 200 - a tremendous success by any accounts. Songs like "Heavy Metal Drummer," "War on War," "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," "Ashes of American Flags," and "Jesus, Etc." (among many, many others...the whole album is great) make YHF my favorite Wilco album, narrowly edging out their 2007 release Sky Blue Sky.
In between those two albums was A Ghost is Born, which won 2 Grammys and included "Handshake Drugs" and "Theologians." The follow-up, Sky Blue Sky, nailed songs like "What Light," "Walken," "Impossible Germany," and the title track. It hit #4 on the Billboard 200.
Wilco's last release was aptly called, Wilco (The Album). Success was great, blah, blah, blah. Wilco had made it, and man was it great.
Favorite album - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It's pure bliss.
Favorite song - "Heavy Metal Drummer." It's such a tough call, but I'll take this upbeat track. Any song listed is well worth listening to.
Come back next week for #6. You won't regret it, as we step into a bluesy feel.
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