Golden Age Part Two- Wilco (the album)

After the release of Sky Blue Sky in 2007, The Age's Patrick Donovan, Wilco fan and generally good reviewer, said while he loved the album, he thought Wilco's best was yet to come. After the release of Wilco (the album), their best is still on the way. It's a good album, a consistent album and with Jeff Tweedy involved you couldn't really go wrong. All the songs are likeable, it's an easy listen and it's short (just over 40 minutes). But it's not better than their previous efforts. There's none of the collaborative guitar efforts that made Sky Blue Sky such a strong album, less of the energy of the band is showcased here.

Opening track Wilco (the song) has cheeky lyrics and is a nice little upbeat start. This is followed by two slower tracks Deeper Down and One Wing, the latter being one of the best tracks on the album. After this is Bull Black Nova, a Spiders-esque jaunt telling the story of a murderer driving away from the scene of his crime and one of the only opportunities for Nels Cline to show off his skills. A duet with Leslie Feist on You and I creates a pretty, simple ballad and another pleasant tune. This is followed by the enjoyable, rollocking You Never Know, a reminder of their strengths on Sky Blue Sky, where you can hear John Stirratt in the backing vocals to the chorus.

Two slower numbers follow with Country Disappeared and Solitaire, both more brooding and a little dark but still melodic. The lyrically catchy I'll Fight, then more upbeat pop on Sonny Feeling continue the album, which is concluded by Everlasting Everything, a suitable endpoint. Overall it's going to be somewhere high on my list of favourite for the year. But I'm still waiting for Wilco's best.