I love Wilco

I love Wilco. This band has been a well spring of joy and happiness to me for the past few years. It started when I bought “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (one of their albums), and I've been a fan every since. The music by Wilco is sort of a slower, mid tempo rock with a hint of pop, while the lyrics are often on the darker side, but occasionally spring to life with full colors and expression. And while some songs are slow and very mellow, others can jump right out of the speakers and smack you in your ear hole. But I would say the over all feeling I have when I listen to Wilco is happiness brought on by pleasant music and reflection inducing lyrics.

All of the members of the band are clearly excellent musicians, which anyone who knows anything about music can attest to after listening to just a couple of songs from any one of their albums. But Jeff Tweedy, Wilco's front man, must be some sort of music genius, a musical visionary the rest of us can only aspire to be. Tweedy is not the greatest singer of all time, but he is a great one non the less. His voice is soothing to listen to, and to me it seems he sings with the deepest sincerity. It sounds like he really believes in what he is saying.

I saw Wilco preform live for the first time about a month ago down in Colorado Springs. That night was when I went from liking Wilco to loving Wilco. I had never seen a show like that one. The band was energetic and in fine form. They reached out and took hold of the crowd, and didn't let go all night. I sat in my seat or stood and cheered or did a little dance and tried to sing a long, but whatever I was doing during the show, I had a huge smile on my face. And I could tell that everyone else in the audience was as happy and glad to be there as I was. It was easily the best concert I have ever been to.

Wilco's newest album “Sky Blue Sky” is, I believe, their best one to date. It's more mellow than any of their previous releases, but also more enjoyable to listen to. It's really hard to describe. They don't every really rock out, but they don't put you to sleep either. I guess the best I can explain it is just that it's pleasant. Pleasant to listen to over and over again. I'm listening to it right now. Wilco also has a live album called “Kicking Television”. This double disc album is also impressively good. The album is of course live cuts of many of the bands best songs, but the album also gives a little taste of what it's like to see Wilco live, which is nothing short of a religious experience.

Wilco songs are just a wonderful blend of amazing song craft and poetry that come together to deliver something that very few artists can give: pleasureful art.