Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:00:27 +0000

Jeff Tweedy has suggested that this new album’s humorous title is simply an indication that this is the most Wilco-sounding Wilco album yet, and I must agree – it’s all about balance with this collection of songs, brilliantly written and adorned with expert musicianship, and swaying confidently and seamlessly between the band’s experimental tendencies and their rock and country roots, alligning contrasting tracks like the noisy, atmospheric “Bull Black Nova”, the tender Feist duet “You and I”, and the catchy “Wilco (The Song)” into a singular and unique sound that is quite simply…Wilco.

8.3 / 10

Nonesuch
June 30, 2009

Various Artists – Dark Was the Night

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:24:43 +0000

An AIDs charity compilation offered by 4AD and Red Hot, Dark Was the Night gathers the most recognizable names in the world of indie music for two discs worth of new recordings, the first folk-centric and the second more electric; as one would expect the results are mixed, with some big highlights – excellent contributions from Grizzly Bear (“Deep Blue Sea”), Arcade Fire (“Lenin”), My Morning Jacket (“El Caporel”), a team up between David Byrne and Dirty Projectors (“Knotty Pine”), and one of Bon Iver’s best songs yet (“Brackett, WI”) – and some disappointments – Spoon seem to phone it in on “Well-Alright” and Sufjan Stevens’ 10-minute epic “You Are the Blood” is not nearly as impressive as it thinks it is – but who cares because it’s for a good cause so you should buy it anyway.

Grade: 8.3 / 10

4AD
February 17, 2009

Opinz » feist

Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

8.3 / 10

Various Artists – Dark Was the Night

Grade: 8.3 / 10